Matthew 6:8

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his followers regarding prayer, positioning this statement between a warning against pagan verbosity and the introduction of the model prayer in Matthew 6:9.

The words — ὁμοιωθῆτε (homoiōthēte) literally means "may be made like," and οἶδεν (oiden) means "has known," providing the grammatical and semantic core of the verse.

The thread — The same assertion of divine foreknowledge regarding human needs runs through Matthew 6:32 and Luke 12:30, while Philippians 4:6 connects that knowledge to the instruction to present requests with thanksgiving.

Why it lands — The text commands listeners to reject pagan prayer patterns and grounds that command in the factual claim that God already knows their requirements. It requires readers to abandon performative verbosity and act on the premise that divine provision precedes human petition.

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

μὴmēNot οὖνountherefore ὁμοιωθῆτεhomoiōthētemay be like αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;οἶδενoidenhas known γὰρgarfor ὁhothe θεὸςtheosGod ὁhothe πατὴρpatērFather ὑμῶνhumōnof you ὧνhōnof what things χρείανchreianneed ἔχετεecheteyou have πρὸprobefore τοῦtou<the>ὑμᾶςhumasyour αἰτῆσαιaitēsaiasking αὐτόν.¶autonHim.

King James Version

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Cross-references

Matthew 6:32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Luke 12:30 For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Psalms 38:9 O Lord, my every desire is before You; my groaning is not hidden from You.
Psalms 69:17 Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!