[1] Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. [2] Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee.
Verse 1 Expanded Bible Comments
| Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What are "alms?" | "Charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy." |
| If we give or do charity to be seen of others (i.e. to look good in their eyes), what will be the result? | "You have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." |
Verse 2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| If we are not to do alms before men, should we do alms at all? | Gal. 6:10 |
| How could we "sound a trumpet" before ourselves? | Announce what you are doing to others. Make sure others find out what you are doing. |
| Who does "sound a trumpet" before themselves? | Hypocrites. |
| Why would they do this? | "That they may have glory of men." |
| What is their reward? | The reward of being made to "look good" in the eyes of men. |
Verse 3-4 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does "let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth" mean? | R4559 |
| Why would we do our alms in secret? | To avoid hypocrisy. To be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. |
[5] And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee. [7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. [9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the motivation of hypocrites when they pray? | Look at me, aren't I a noble character? - Selfishness. |
| What reward do they receive? | Possibly the praise of men but nothing good from God. |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| How are the Lord's followers to pray? | In secret. |
| From where do they get their reward? | God. |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the problem with using "vain repetitions?" | Complacency. The force of the words become meaningless. |
| Can you think of any modern day examples of using vain repetition in prayer? | Consider what follows, i.e., the Lord's prayer. Most can quote it. Few pay any attention to the meaning of the words. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why are we not to be like those who use "vain repetition?" | When do we ever want to emulate hypocrites? |
| If God already knows "what things ye have need of," why should we go to Him in prayer? | Luke 11:9-13. "To bring us into that attitude of mind and heart of readiness to receive his blessings." - EBC |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| When Jesus said "After this manner therefore pray ye" did he mean that we should use those exact words? | There is nothing wrong with using His exact words on occasion but there is the danger described above of simply repeating the same words over and over. They will lose their meaning to us. |
| Do our prayers have to begin with these words? | No. However the principle is in our acknowledgment that God should always be first. "The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psa. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10 |
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| "Thy kingdom come." How does this part of our Lord's prayer conflict with the teachings of Christendom? | Christendom taught that it was the Kingdom of Christ. That is the meaning of the name "Christendom", "Christ's Kingdom". |
| What do we learn about conditions in heaven and conditions in earth from this model prayer? | That in heaven God's will is done but on earth it is not. |
| What does this imply about God's kingdom? | That this condition will change. At some point the will of God will also be done in the earth. |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Give us this day our daily bread. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Is this in conflict with Matt. 4:4? | Of course not. We simply remember that one statement of from God's Word cannot be used against another becaue the whole is harmonious. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| To whom do we owe debt? | Christ. |
| Who owes us any debt? | No one. |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Would God ever lead us into temptation? | James 1:13. |
| From what (or whom) do we pray to be delivered? | We are delivered from the Adversary. |
Verses 14-15 Expanded Bible Comments
| For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is a trespass? | G3900
παράπτωμα That a tresspass is a "side slip" seemed at first to settle the matter. However consider the following: paraptōma par-ap'-to-mah From G3895; a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression: - fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. "For if by one man's offence [G3900] death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore as by the offence [G3900] of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Rom. 5:17-18 The offence there mentioned is the one committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden. That "offence" placed the entire human race under the sentence of death. |
| What is the importance of forgiving others of their trespasses? | Our Heavenly Father will forgive us of our trespasses. |
| What is the danger in not forgiving their trespasses? | The Father NOT forgiving us our trespasses. If that becomes the case then, for us, ALL is lost. |
[16] Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee.
Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Should we fast? | It is a good idea to fast occasionally. |
| What is the hypocrisy of which Jesus here speaks? | Fasting to be seen of men, so they will think you are pious. |
| What reward do these receive? | They may be seen of men and thought of as pious. |
Verses 17, 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why anoint your head and wash your face? | This was basically saying that, when we fast, we should make ourselves appear as we normally would so that others will not know that we are fasting. |
| Why do that when you fast? | Because we do not want to be as the hypocrites. |
| Is there value in fasting? | By depriving your natural body it may help you focus on the spiritual. |
| Why not let others know you are fasting? | Because we do not want to sound a trumpet before ourselves. |
| What reward is involved in fasting? | Closeness to the Heavenly Father and His Son. |
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Do not be anxious about your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why not lay up treasures on earth? | Because our focus is on heavenly things. Which of our earthly treasures will we be able to take with us when we die? |
| When we have a savings account or we buy an outdoor grill, are we laying up treasures on earth? | To a degree. We are to "provide things honest in the sight of all men." And we are warned that "He that provideth not for his own .. hath denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." Rom. 12:17; 1 Tim. 5:8 |
| What can happen to our earthly possessions? | They can deteriorate, brake, get lost or be stolen. |
Verses 20, 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Where should we lay up treasures? | In Heaven. |
| Why would we do that? | Because that is where our heart is. We want to please our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Bridegroom. |
Verses 22, 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What did our Lord mean by "if thine eye be single?" | Having one primary goal, single-minded, focused on one thing, being able to see Spiritual things. 1 Cor. 2:10, 14; Phil. 3:13 |
| How can the whole body be full of light? | Filled with the Holy Spirit of Truth. John 15:26 |
| How can the eye be evil? | By focusing on evil, letting go of our appreciation of the great gift of light of Truth. |
| What is the result of letting your eye be evil? | "Thy whole body shall be full of darkness." Isa. 5:20; 60:2 |
| How can the light in us be darkness? | 2 Cor. 11:14 |
Verse 24 Expanded Bible Comments
| No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Can someone serve two masters? | Not faithfully. Phil. 3:13; James 1:8; Rom. 6:16 |
| If he tries, what will be the result? | "He will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." |
| What is mammon? | G3126
μαμμωνᾶς
mammōnas mam-mo-nas' Of Chaldee origin (confidence, that is, figuratively wealth, personified); mammonas, that is, avarice (deified): - mammon. We might suggest this is "the confidence of wealth." Our trust is to be in God, there is our confidence. Please consider again verse 21. |
| What are the masters Jesus is talking about? | 1) God. 2) Earthly riches and confidence. |
Verse 25 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore I say unto you, Do not be anxious about your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What did Jesus mean by "take no thought for your life?" | "Do not be anxious about your life" - corrected translation. |
| Are we not to provide food, drink and clothing for ourselves and our families? | Yes, but we are not to be anxious about it. The Lord has promised us that our bread shall be sure. |
Verse 26 Expanded Bible Comments
| Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why did Jesus refer us to the fowls of the air? | Perhaps because classes of people are represented by birds in Scripture. Rev. 18:2; Psa. 91:3,4; Matt. 24:28. Where does a bird go for safety? It goes to the heavens. - So should we. |
| What point was he making about them not reaping or gathering into barns? | Birds do not know how to do such things. They do not know the process by which food is grown, yet God feeds them. If God does that for the birds, how much more for His intelligent creation? |
Verse 27 Expanded Bible Comments
| Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why did Jesus point out this obvious fact? | To remind us not to lean on our own selves, but to look to Him as the giver of "every good and perfect gift." Jas. 1:17 |
Verses 28-29 Expanded Bible Comments
| And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Shouldn't we care if we have decent clothing? | The corrected translation reads "And why are you anxious for raiment?.." |
| What was his point about the lilies of the field? | They are beautiful and grow without any aid from man. The Lily gives no indication of discontent or ambition to become a mighty tree. If God takes care of the Lily, what will He do for His children? |
Verse 30 Expanded Bible Comments
| Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was Jesus indicating when he referred to the grass of the field? | 1) It is temporary, here today and gone tomorrow. 2) "All flesh is as grass.." Isa. 40:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:24-25 |
| Why did Jesus tell his disciples that they were "of little faith?" | First we should acknowledge that Jesus said they indeed had faith. By telling them they were of little faith he is indicating they had room for growth in this area. While we are not here told the answer to this question directly, we may speculate a bit. Our Lord, being able to read the heart and knowing their need of development, was letting them know the importance of faith. We should also remember that Judas was among them and surely he was in need of greater faith. He wanted them to have their faith built up because "this is the victory that overcometh the world." 1 John 5:4 |
Verses 31-32 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why shouldn't we take thought about what we eat or drink or how we are clothed? Isn't this simply providing things honest in the sight of men? - Rom. 12:17 | The corrected translation is "take no anxious thought.." Clearly the point is that "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Ecc. 9:10 and yes, we are to "provide things honest in the sight of all men." Rom. 12:17 But we are not to be overly concerned with these things because God has promised that He will overrule so that our needs are met. |
| Why bring the Gentiles into this? | Because the Gentiles did no know God and were not in any kind of a relationship with Him. The Lord has given promises to His people to indicate His care over them. "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Gen. 18:14; "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exod. 33:14; "The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure." Deut. 28:12; "The Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deut. 31:6; "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psa. 23:5 and many more. These were all given to the Jews (and by extension and even more directly to us) to show the Lord's care for His people. |
| How does God view all this? | He knows all of our needs. |
Verse 33 Expanded Bible Comments
| But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What are we to do? | Make the Kingdom of God our chief goal. Note the emphasis on His righteousness. |
| What does this mean? | Not only the perfect righteousness of God but, for the saints, the Robe of Christ's righteousness. |
| What things will be added to us? | All the needful things mentioned in the previous verse. |
Verse 34 Expanded Bible Comments
| Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Take no thought for tomorrow? Aren't we supposed to plan for the future? | Take no anxious thought for tomorrow. |
| What did Jesus mean by "the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself?" | God's Divine Plan is working out exactly the way it is supposed to and God has promised us that He will take care of us so that while we take the appropriate steps to secure life's necessities, He will overrule the remainder to our ultimate benefit. |
| Also, what did he mean by "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof?" | We have no reason to "borrow trouble." Each day has sufficient troubles for our New Creatures to overcome. |