Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Original Language Analysis
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπιούσιον
daily
G1967
ἐπιούσιον
daily
Strong's:
G1967
Word #:
5 of 8
tomorrow's; but more probably from g1909 and a derivative of the present participle feminine of g1510; for subsistence, i.e., needful
Cross References
Proverbs 30:8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:Luke 11:3Give us day by day our daily bread.Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.Psalms 34:10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.Isaiah 33:16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.Job 23:12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.1 Timothy 6:8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.2 Thessalonians 3:12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Historical Context
In agrarian first-century Palestine, daily bread was literal concern for most people living subsistence-level existence. Crop failures, Roman taxation, and economic exploitation made food security precarious. Day laborers (Matthew 20:1-16) literally depended on daily wages for daily bread. Jesus' teaching against anxiety (6:25-34) follows this prayer, reinforcing trust in daily provision. Early Christians practiced communal sharing (Acts 2:44-45), living out this prayer's economics of sufficiency rather than surplus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does praying for daily bread challenge our culture's emphasis on accumulation and self-sufficiency?
- What does this petition teach about appropriate versus anxious concern for physical needs?
- In what ways does dependence on God for daily provision foster gratitude and trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prayer shifts from God-centered to human-need petitions: 'Give us this day our daily bread' (Greek: τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον, 'our bread, the daily'). The word ἐπιούσιον (epiousios) is rare, possibly meaning 'daily,' 'necessary for existence,' or 'for the coming day.' This petition acknowledges complete dependence on God's provision, echoing manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) which was gathered daily. 'This day' emphasizes present trust rather than anxious accumulation. 'Bread' represents all physical necessities, not luxury. This simple request teaches humble dependence and gratitude for basic provision.