📖 Passage

Matthew 6:1–18 Read Matthew 6:1–18 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

Jesus transitions from correcting misunderstandings of the Law to warning against hypocrisy in practicing righteousness. In first-century Judaism, acts like giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting were central to piety. However, these could be distorted into performances for public approval. Jesus addresses the heart motivation, teaching that true righteousness seeks the Father's reward, not human applause. This section includes the Lord's Prayer, which serves as a model for simple, God-centered prayer. Fasting is likewise reframed as a private act of devotion, not a public display of spirituality. The emphasis is on sincerity before God, who sees in secret.

🌿 Key Themes

• Sincerity over show – Kingdom righteousness is for God's eyes, not human praise.

• Private devotion – Giving, praying, and fasting are intimate acts of worship.

• The Lord's Prayer – A model emphasizing God's holiness, kingdom, provision, forgiveness, and protection.

• Heavenly reward – God, who sees in secret, is the only one whose approval matters.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Matthew 6:1 – Warning Against Hypocrisy

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…"

Sets the principle for the entire section: motive matters more than outward appearance.

Seeking human praise nullifies heavenly reward.

Matthew 6:2–4 – Giving to the Needy

"Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…"

Publicly parading generosity turns worship into self-promotion.

True giving is discreet, trusting God to reward in His time.

Matthew 6:5–8 – Prayer in Secret

"Go into your room and shut the door…"

Contrasts hypocritical, showy prayer with humble, private communion with God.

God values sincerity over verbosity or spectacle.

Matthew 6:9–13 – The Lord's Prayer

"Pray then like this…"

Begins with God's glory ("hallowed be your name") before personal needs.

Prioritizes kingdom concerns over self-interest.

Requests daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from temptation and evil.

Matthew 6:14–15 – Forgiveness and Prayer

"If you forgive others… your heavenly Father will also forgive you…"

Forgiveness received must be forgiveness extended.

Unforgiveness is incompatible with kingdom living.

Matthew 6:16–18 – Fasting in Secret

"Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…"

Hypocrisy turns fasting into a performance.

True fasting is joyful, seeking God's presence and reward, not man's recognition.

🧩 Review Questions

1. How does this section redefine acts of righteousness like giving, prayer, and fasting?
2. Why does Jesus link forgiveness to effective prayer?
3. What does the Lord's Prayer teach us about our priorities in prayer?
4. How can fasting become more about God and less about self-image? _Not sure how to answer one of these?

🔍 Trusted Insight

"Jesus does not condemn public acts of righteousness but the motive of self-glory that can corrupt them." — Paraphrase of D.A. Carson

This reminds us that the Father's approval, not human applause, must be our aim.

Summary: True kingdom piety is sincere, God-centered, and private, trusting the Father who sees in secret.

🔍 Definitions

• Hypocrisy – Pretending to have virtues or piety for the sake of appearance.

• Fasting – Abstaining from food for a set time to focus on prayer and dependence on God.

• The Lord's Prayer – Jesus' model for balanced, God-centered prayer.

• Reward – God's approval and blessing, contrasted with fleeting human praise.

🙋 Application Questions

1. Are your spiritual disciplines more about impressing people or pleasing God?

2. How can you incorporate the Lord's Prayer's priorities into your daily prayers?

3. Is there someone you need to forgive in light of verses 14–15?

🔤 Greek Keywords

• hypokritēs – "hypocrite"; an actor or pretender.

• eleēmosynē – "almsgiving"; charitable giving to the poor.

• proseuchomai – "to pray"; communion with God in worship, confession, and request.

• nēsteuō – "to fast"; abstain from food for spiritual purposes.

📚 Cross References

• 1 Samuel 16:7 – “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

• God values inward sincerity over outward performance.

• Isaiah 58:3–7 – True fasting involves justice and mercy.

• Luke 11:1–4 – Parallel account of the Lord's Prayer.

• Ephesians 4:32 – Forgive one another as God forgave you.

• James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Matthew 6:19–34