Mat 6:5-8 | TNotes | STEP | 6:5 When you pray: Jews prayed regularly at 9 am and 3 pm (see Acts 3:1 ) and had frequent times of public prayer. Hypocrites deliberately sought to be in public places at such times, to be seen by all.

bActs 3:1►

d18:19-20►

eLuke 11:2-4►

g6:9-13►

‏ Matthew 6:5-8

6:5 ^a When you pray: Jews prayed regularly at 9 am and 3 pm (see Acts 3:1 ^b) and had frequent times of public prayer. Hypocrites deliberately sought to be in public places at such times, to be seen by all.
6:6 ^c go away by yourself: Jesus is not prohibiting corporate prayer (see 18:19-20 ^d; Luke 11:2-4 ^e) but is instructing his followers to avoid using prayer as a means of drawing attention to themselves.
Summary for Matt 6:7-8: 6:7-8 ^f God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13 ^g) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.