Meaning of Matthew 6:5

This verse from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount directly addresses the manner and motivation behind prayer, contrasting authentic prayer with performative displays. Jesus is not condemning public prayer itself, but rather the underlying intent of seeking human adulation rather than a genuine connection with God. The "hypocrites" are those who engage in religious acts, including prayer, primarily to gain recognition and approval from others, thereby receiving their sole "reward" in the fleeting praise of men. This establishes a foundational principle that true worship and devotion are internal, directed towards God, and not for public spectacle.

Context and Background

Matthew 6:1-18 is a section of Jesus' discourse where he teaches about the proper practice of three core Jewish religious disciplines: almsgiving (vv. 2-4), prayer (vv. 5-15), and fasting (vv. 16-18). In each instance, Jesus contrasts the way of the scribes and Pharisees, whom he often rebuked for their outward religiosity and hidden hypocrisy, with the righteous way expected of his disciples. The cultural context of first-century Judaism involved public displays of piety, and some religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, were known for ostentatious acts of devotion to be seen and praised by the populace. Jesus here redirects his followers away from this superficial approach towards a more inward and sincere engagement with God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Authenticity vs. Performance: The central theme is the distinction between genuine spiritual engagement and a mere outward show. Prayer is intended as a communion with God, not a theatrical performance.
• Motivation for Prayer: Jesus highlights the danger of praying with the primary motivation of being seen and praised by others. The reward for such actions is limited to the immediate human recognition received.
• The Nature of Reward: The verse implies that there are different kinds of rewards. The hypocrites receive their "reward in full" from men, meaning they get all the earthly praise they sought, and thus have no further heavenly reward. True spiritual discipline, performed with a right heart, receives its reward from God.
• Inner Devotion: Jesus emphasizes that the heart of worship and prayer should be directed towards God, not the audience.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse calls for introspection regarding our motivations in all spiritual disciplines. When we pray, whether in private or in a public setting, we must examine our hearts: are we seeking God's attention or human applause? The spiritual significance lies in understanding that God sees the heart and values sincerity above outward show. Applying this principle means cultivating a prayer life that is rich in genuine communication with God, independent of whether anyone else observes it. It encourages humility and a focus on the relationship with God rather than the perception of others.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This teaching is consistent with the Old Testament prophets' critiques of empty ritualism that lacked genuine righteousness and justice (e.g., Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24). It also aligns with Jesus' broader emphasis on the importance of the inner life and the law of love, which supersedes outward observance when the heart is not right (Matthew 23:25-28). The concept of a divine reward for righteous actions, contrasted with the temporal rewards of men, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

Analogies

• A Performer Seeking Applause: Imagine an actor who performs a play not for the art, but solely for the cheers of the crowd. Their "reward" is the applause, but they miss the deeper satisfaction of artistic expression. Similarly, those who pray for show receive only fleeting human approval.
• A Gift Wrapped for Display: Consider a gift beautifully wrapped and placed prominently for everyone to see, but never actually given to its intended recipient. The display is admired, but the purpose of the gift is unfulfilled. The hypocrite's prayer is like such a displayed gift, admired by men but not truly offered to God.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 6:6: Directly follows, stating, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This verse provides the positive instruction and the promise of divine reward for private, sincere prayer.
• Matthew 23:5-7: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for performing their religious acts "to be seen by others," specifically mentioning their phylacteries and tassels, and their love for greetings in the marketplaces.
• Luke 18:9-14: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the contrast between the self-righteous, publicly pious Pharisee and the humble, repentant tax collector, with Jesus stating that the latter went down to his house justified.
• Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This verse underscores the principle of performing all actions, including prayer, with God as the ultimate audience and recipient of our efforts.