Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. English Standard Version But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Berean Standard Bible But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Berean Literal Bible But you, when you may pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward to you. King James Bible 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 openly. New King James Version But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. New American Standard Bible But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. NASB 1995 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. NASB 1977 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Legacy Standard Bible But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Amplified Bible But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Berean Annotated Bible But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father {Patēr}, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Christian Standard Bible But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Holman Christian Standard Bible But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. American Standard Version But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. Contemporary English Version When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you. English Revised Version But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall recompense thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. Good News Translation But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. International Standard Version But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees from the hidden place will reward you. NET Bible But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. New Heart English Bible But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Webster's Bible Translation But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly. Weymouth New Testament But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly. World English Bible But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBut you, when you may pray, go into your chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who [is] in secret, and your Father who is seeing in secret will reward you. Berean Literal Bible But you, when you may pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward to you. Young's Literal Translation But thou, when thou mayest pray, go into thy chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly. Smith's Literal Translation But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy store-house, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father which in secret; and thy Father who seeing in secret shall give back to thee openly. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. Catholic Public Domain Version But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. New American Bible But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. New Revised Standard Version But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and lock your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret he himself shall reward you openly. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But you, when you pray, enter into your closet and lock your door, and pray to your father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you in public. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut do you, when you pray, go into your closet, and when you have closed the door, pray to your Father who is in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, to pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Mace New Testament but you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your father who is with you in your retirement, and your father who observeth the actions of your retirement shall reward you. Weymouth New Testament But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Lord's Prayer5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.… Cross References But when you pray, Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, go into your inner room, 2 Kings 4:33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. Acts 9:40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. shut your door, Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. John 20:19 It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. Acts 5:23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” and pray to your Father, who is unseen. John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 11:27 By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, Jeremiah 23:24 “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. will reward you. Colossians 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Treasury of Scripture But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. enter. Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matthew 26:36-39 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder… Genesis 32:24-29 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day… pray. Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Jump to Previous Chamber Close Closet Door Enter Inner Manifestly Mayest Openly Prayer Prayest Private Recompense Render Reward Room Secret Shut Shutting Thou Unseen WheneverJump to Next Chamber Close Closet Door Enter Inner Manifestly Mayest Openly Prayer Prayest Private Recompense Render Reward Room Secret Shut Shutting Thou Unseen WheneverMatthew 6 1. Giving to the Needy5. The Lord's Prayer 16. Proper Fasting 19. Store up Treasures in Heaven 25. Do Not Worry 33. but seek God's kingdom. But when you pray Prayer is a central practice in the life of a believer, reflecting a personal relationship with God. In the Jewish tradition, prayer was a daily practice, often performed in public settings like synagogues or street corners. Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincerity in prayer, contrasting with the hypocritical practices of some religious leaders of His time who prayed for public recognition. go into your inner room shut your door and pray to your Father, who is unseen And your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing instruction on how to pray. 2. The Father Refers to God, who is unseen but sees what is done in secret. 3. Inner Room A metaphorical or literal place of privacy where one can pray without distraction. 4. Prayer The act of communicating with God, emphasized here as a private and sincere practice. 5. Reward The outcome of sincere prayer, as promised by God. Teaching Points The Importance of Privacy in PrayerJesus emphasizes the need for a private setting to foster genuine communication with God, free from distractions and the temptation to seek human approval. God's Omniscience and Intimacy The verse reassures believers that God sees and values what is done in secret, highlighting His omniscience and the personal relationship He desires with each individual. Sincerity Over Show The focus is on the heart's intention rather than outward appearances. True prayer is about connecting with God, not impressing others. The Promise of Reward God promises to reward those who seek Him sincerely in prayer. This reward may not always be material but can include peace, guidance, and spiritual growth. Developing a Consistent Prayer Life Encourages believers to establish a regular, private prayer routine, fostering a deeper relationship with God and spiritual maturity. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 6:6?2. How does Matthew 6:6 encourage private prayer over public displays of piety? 3. What does "go into your inner room" suggest about personal prayer habits? 4. How can Matthew 6:6 deepen our understanding of God's omnipresence and attentiveness? 5. How does Matthew 6:6 connect with Jesus' teachings on humility and sincerity? 6. In what ways can you implement Matthew 6:6 in your daily prayer life? 7. What does Matthew 6:6 teach about the importance of private prayer over public displays of faith? 8. How does Matthew 6:6 challenge the sincerity of one's personal relationship with God? 9. Why does Jesus emphasize secrecy in prayer in Matthew 6:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6? 11. What is the Book of Common Prayer? 12. What happens at the secret place? 13. What defines a prayer closet? 14. How can I integrate Bible teachings into my life? What Does Matthew 6:6 Mean But when you pray• Jesus assumes regular prayer, not optional (Luke 11:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). • Contrast with hypocrites who “love to pray standing in the synagogues” (Matthew 6:5); the issue is motive, not location. • Prayer is expected of every disciple—consistent, humble, relational (Psalm 62:8). go into your inner room • A private space fosters undistracted fellowship, echoing Jesus’ own habit of solitary prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). • In Scripture, saints often withdrew to an enclosed place—think of Elijah on Horeb (1 Kings 19:9) or Daniel in his chamber (Daniel 6:10). • The “inner room” underlines sincerity: true communion over public impression (Zechariah 7:5-6). shut your door • Closing the door symbolizes shutting out worldly noise and human approval (Psalm 46:10). • Privacy protects conversation that belongs to God alone (2 Kings 4:33). • It also guards the heart from distraction, aligning thoughts with Philippians 4:6-7. pray to your Father, who is unseen • Prayer is relational: “Father” anchors us in adoption (Romans 8:15-16). • God’s invisibility reminds us that faith—not sight—drives prayer (Hebrews 11:27). • Intimacy is central; we come boldly because we are children, not performers (Ephesians 3:12; John 4:23-24). And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you • The Father’s omniscience assures us every whispered plea is heard (Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13). • Reward may include answered petitions, deeper joy, and eternal treasure (Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 6:20). • God alone evaluates motives, bringing hidden faithfulness to light (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Chronicles 16:9). summary Matthew 6:6 calls believers to sincere, intimate, distraction-free prayer. Jesus urges us to withdraw from the press of public approval, enter a quiet place, and speak as cherished sons and daughters to our unseen yet all-seeing Father. In that secret fellowship He listens, evaluates motives, and graciously rewards the faith that seeks Him. (6) Enter into thy closet.--Literally, the store-closet of thy house. The principle, as before, is embodied in a rule which startles, and which cannot be binding literally. Not in synagogue or street, nor by the river-side (Acts 16:13); not under the fig-tree in the court-yard (John 1:50), nor on the housetop where men were wont to pray (Acts 10:9)--these might, each and all, present the temptations of publicity--but in the steward's closet, in the place which seemed to men least likely, which they would count it irreverent to connect with the idea of prayer. The principle thus clothed in paradox is, of course, that personal prayer should be strictly personal and private. Our Lord's mode of acting on the principle was, it will be remembered, to withdraw from crowds and cities, and to pass the night in prayer on the lonely slopes of the hills of Galilee (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; John 6:15). . . . Verse 6. - But thou (emphatic) when thou prayset, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray, etc. An adaptation of Isaiah 26:20 (cf. also 2 Kings 4:33). The prophet's language describing the action befitting a time of terror is used by our Lord to express what ought to be the normal practice of each of his followers. Observe that the widow of one of the sons of the prophets so acted when she was about to receive the miraculous supply of oil (2 Kings 4:4, 5). Closet; Revised Version, inner chamber, more readily suggesting the passage in Isaiah to the English reader. To thy Father which is in secret. Not "which seeth in secret," as in the next clause. The thought here may be partly that to be unseen of men is a help to communion with him who is also unseen by them, but especially that the manner of your actions ought to resemble that of your Father's, who is himself unseen and works unseen. And thy Father which seeth in secret. You will be no loser, since his eyes pass by nothing, however well concealed it be from the eyes of men. Shall reward thee openly (ver. 4, notes).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. when ὅταν (hotan) Conjunction Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as. you pray, προσεύχῃ (proseuchē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. go εἴσελθε (eiselthe) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. into εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. inner room, ταμεῖόν (tameion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5009: A store-chamber, secret chamber, closet; a granary, barn. shut κλείσας (kleisas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2808: To shut, shut up. A primary verb; to close. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. door, θύραν (thyran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2374: (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance. [and] pray πρόσευξαι (proseuxai) Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. to τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father, Πατρί (Patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who [is] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. unseen. κρυπτῷ (kryptō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2927: From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father, Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sees βλέπων (blepōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. what is done τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. in secret, κρυπτῷ (kryptō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2927: From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. will reward ἀποδώσει (apodōsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc. you. σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Links Matthew 6:6 NIVMatthew 6:6 NLT Matthew 6:6 ESV Matthew 6:6 NASB Matthew 6:6 KJV Matthew 6:6 BibleApps.com Matthew 6:6 Biblia Paralela Matthew 6:6 Chinese Bible Matthew 6:6 French Bible Matthew 6:6 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 6:6 But you when you pray enter into (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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