Section 6:5–15
Jesus taught about praying to God
In this section, Jesus taught his disciples about prayer. He taught his disciples to pray in secret so that only God will see them. Then he taught them a prayer. This prayer is as an example of how they should pray (6:9–13). Many English-speaking Christians call this prayer “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The Lord’s Prayer
-or-
Teaching about prayer
-or-
Praying to God
There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 11:2–4.
Paragraph 6:5–8
In these verses, Jesus taught his disciples the manner in which they should pray. They should not pray in a way that people will see them (6:5–6). Rather, they should pray in a private place by themselves. They also should not make their prayers long by repeating the same words over and over (6:7–8).
6:5
This verse has similar grammar and similar phrases to 6:2. Translate it in a similar way.
6:5a
And: Verse 6:5a begins the second example of how to apply the command (in 6:1) not to do good works before people.
Here are some other ways to begin this verse:
Another example is
-or-
Jesus gave another example and said,
-or-
Similarly
Some English versions do not use a word or phrase to introduce this example. You should use whatever is most natural in your language.
when: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when means “whenever” or “each time.” It assumes that believers will pray.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
whenever (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Every/each time
-or-
At any time
you pray: The word pray means “speak/talk to God.” Some languages may use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. Here you should use a word or expression that has a general meaning. Avoid a term that may imply magical or meaningless words.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
speak to God
-or-
talk with God
This word also occurs in 5:44b. See how you translated it there.
6:5b
do not be like the hypocrites: The clause do not be like the hypocrites means “do not pray like the hypocrites pray.”
The phrase the hypocrites first occurs in 6:2c. Translate it here as you did there.
6:5c
For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for the command in 6:5b.
5bDo not pray like the hypocrites, 5c–dfor/because they love to pray where people can see them.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
because they love to pray… (NET Bible)
-or-
who love to pray… (New Living Translation (2004))
In some languages, no conjunction or connecting phrase is necessary here.
In other languages, it will be more natural to put the basis for the command before the command. For example:
5cHypocrites love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners 5dto be seen by men. 5bDo not be like them.
they love to pray standing: The word love refers to liking or enjoying something very much. The hypocrites greatly enjoyed standing and praying where other people would see them, because they wanted those people to think highly of them and praise them.
Here are some other ways to translate this expression:
they ⌊very much⌋ enjoy standing and praying
-or-
they ⌊greatly⌋ like to stand and pray
in the synagogues and on the street corners: The phrase in the synagogues and on the street corners refers to very public places. Many people would be in those places, and they could easily see someone praying.
Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:
in the meeting places and on the ⌊crowded⌋ street corners
-or-
in public places where there are many people
This expression is almost the same as the one in 6:2c. See how you translated it there.
the synagogues: The word synagogues also occurred in 6:2c. Translate it here as you did there.
the street corners: The phrase street corners refers to places where two streets joined or crossed. The place where the edges of the two streets met is a street corner. In cities such as Jerusalem, there would be many people passing by street corners who would see those praying there.
If busy street corners are not common in your area, you may want to use an expression for a busy outdoor place. For example:
in public places where there are many people
6:5d
to be seen by men: As in 6:1b, the clause to be seen by men implies more than just being seen. It implies a desire to be praised by people. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:
to be seen ⌊and honored/praised⌋ by them
-or-
to impress people
The clause to be seen by men is passive.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
in order that they are seen by people
• Use an active verb. For example:
so that they/people will see them
men: Here the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men means “people” and refers to both men and women. Here it has the same meaning as the word “men” in 6:1a and 6:2d.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
others (English Standard Version)
-or-
everyone (New Living Translation (2004))
6:5e
Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward: This clause is exactly the same as the clause in 6:2e. Translate it here as you did there.
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