Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
KJV
μὴ οὖν ὁμοιωθῆτε αὐτοῖς, οἶδεν γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὧν χρείαν ἔχετε πρὸ τοῦ ὑμᾶς αἰτῆσαι αὐτόν.
Greek NT
Nolite ergo assimilari eis : scit enim Pater vester, quid opus sit vobis, antequam petatis eum.
Vulgate
Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
ASV
Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.
Douay-Rheims
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In the original Greek
14 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
Textual variants
1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.
- ὁ — SBLGNT
- ὁ — Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27), Robinson-Pierpont
- + θεὸς ὁ — Westcott-Hort
Historic Christian voices
9 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
§443Peter could recognize the transcendent character of the Messiah's divine sonship because Jesus had clearly allowed it to be so understood. To his accusers' question before the Sanhedrin, "Are you the Son of God, then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am."50 Well before this, Jesus referred to himself as "the Son" who knows the Father, as distinct from the "servants" God had ear…
§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 …
§2736Are we convinced that "we do not know how to pray as we ought"?23 Are we asking God for "what is good for us"? Our Father knows what we need before we ask him,24 but he awaits our petition because the dignity of his children lies in their freedom. We must pray, then, with his Spirit of freedom, to be able truly to know what he wants.25
2. And when He had said, not to do it before men, He added, to be seen of them. And though it seems as if the same thing were said a second time, yet if any one give particular attention, it is not the same thing, but one is different from the other; and it has great security, and unspeakable care and tenderness. For it may be, both that one doing alms before men may not do it …
The design of his confessions being declared, he seeks from God the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and begins to expound the words of Genesis 1:1, concerning the creation of the world. The questions of rash disputers being refuted, What did God before he created the world? That he might the better overcome his opponents, he adds a copious disquisition concerning time. Chapte…
Chapter 1.— This Work Not Intended as a Treatise on Rhetoric. 1. This work of mine, which is entitled On Christian Doctrine, was at the commencement divided into two parts. For, after a preface, in which I answered by anticipation those who were likely to take exception to the work, I said, There are two things on which all interpretation of Scripture depends: the mode of ascer…
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
- Jer 3:19 — But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from m
- John 16:23 — And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
- Luke 12:30 — For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
- Luke 12:30 — For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
- Mark 10:51 — And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
- 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 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 23:9 — And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
- Phil 4:6 — Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Phil 4:6 — Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Ps 38:9 — Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
- Ps 69:17 — And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
- Rom 8:27 — And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.