Bible Strands
Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount, placing this command between the instruction to pray in private (Matthew 6:6) and the statement that God already knows their needs (Matthew 6:8).
The words — βατταλογήσητε (battalogēsēte) literally means to babble or use meaningless repetitions, describing the vocal pattern Jesus forbids. ἐθνικοῖς (ethnikois) refers to pagans or Gentiles who practice this speech.
The thread — The prohibition against verbose prayer runs parallel to Ecclesiastes 5:2 and Ecclesiastes 5:7, which warn against hasty speech and associate many words with futility, while 1 Kings 18:26 records pagan prophets shouting from morning until noon.
Why it lands — The text states that pagans assume lengthy speech will secure an answer, while Jesus notes the Father already knows what is needed before the request is made. This demands that prayer focus on sincere communication rather than verbal volume.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
- Ecclesiastes 5:7 For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
- 1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.
- Matthew 6:32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- Matthew 26:44 So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
- Daniel 9:18 Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion.
- Matthew 26:42 A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”
- Acts 19:34 But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- 1 Kings 8:26 And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David.
- Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”