Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Matthew 6:7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

KJV

Προσευχόμενοι δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί, δοκοῦσιν γὰρ ὅτι ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν εἰσακουσθήσονται.

Greek NT

Orantes autem, nolite multum loqui, sicut ethnici, putant enim quod in multiloquio suo exaudiantur.

Vulgate

And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

ASV

And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

14 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

αὐτός
autos
pronoun · 5564×
βαττολογέω
battologeo
verb · 1×
γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
δέ
de
conjunction · 2781×
δοκέω
dokeo
verb · 62×
εἰσακούω
eisakouo
verb · 5×
μή
me
particle · 1033×
πολυλογία
polulogia
noun · 1×
προσεύχομαι
proseuchomai
verb · 85×
ἐθνικός
ethnikos
adjective · 4×
ἐν
en
preposition · 2743×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×
ὅτι
oti
conjunction · 1299×
ὥσπερ
osper
adverb · 36×

Historic Christian voices

8 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§1434The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving,31 which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: effort …
§2608From the Sermon on the Mount onwards, Jesus insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation with one's brother before presenting an offering on the altar, love of enemies, and prayer for persecutors, prayer to the Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else.64 This fi…
§2668The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always. When the holy name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases,19 but holds fast to the word and "brings forth fruit with patience."20 This prayer is possible "at all times" because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation: t…
…and 1 more from this source.
Is prayer an act of the appetitive or of the cognitive power? Is it fitting to pray to God? Is prayer an act of religion? Should we pray to God alone? Should we ask for something definite when we pray? Should we ask for temporal things when we pray? Should we pray for others? Should we pray for our enemies? The seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer Is prayer proper to the ration…
Abba Macarius was asked, "How should one pray?" The old man said, "There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one's hands and say, 'Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.' And if the conflict grows fiercer say, 'Lord, help!' He knows very well what we need and he shows us his mercy."

Cross-references

  • 1Kgs 8:26 — And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.
  • 1Kgs 18:26 — And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered
  • 1Kgs 18:26 — And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered
  • Acts 19:34 — But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
  • Acts 19:34 — But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
  • Dan 9:18 — O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesse
  • Eccl 5:2 — Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
  • Eccl 5:2 — Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
  • Eccl 5:7 — For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
  • Isa 1:15 — And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
  • Jer 10:3 — For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
  • Mark 7:7 — Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
  • Mark 14:39 — And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
  • Matt 6:32 — (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • Matt 26:42 — He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
  • Matt 26:44 — And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.