Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Original Language Analysis
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
3 of 36
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταμιεῖόν
closet
G5009
ταμιεῖόν
closet
Strong's:
G5009
Word #:
8 of 36
a dispensary or magazine, i.e., a chamber on the ground-floor or interior of a middle eastern house (generally used for storage or privacy, a spot for
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύραν
door
G2374
θύραν
door
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
13 of 36
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
17 of 36
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
25 of 36
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
which
G3588
τῷ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποδώσει
shall reward
G591
ἀποδώσει
shall reward
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
32 of 36
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
Cross References
2 Kings 4:33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.Matthew 14:23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.Psalms 34:15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.Isaiah 26:20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.Matthew 6:18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.Acts 10:9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:Matthew 6:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.Ephesians 3:14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Historical Context
Palestinian homes typically had inner storage rooms without windows, used for storing valuables. These provided privacy unavailable in main living areas. Jesus Himself often withdrew to solitary places for prayer (Luke 5:16), modeling the practice He commanded.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you develop consistent habits of private prayer as the foundation rather than supplement of spiritual life?
- What does the promise of the Father's reward for secret prayer teach about the value God places on intimate personal communion with Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus instructs 'when thou prayest, enter into thy closet'—not forbidding corporate prayer but commanding private prayer as the foundation of authentic piety. The 'closet' (Greek 'tameion'—storeroom or inner chamber) represents privacy and removal from audience. Prayer to the Father 'in secret' emphasizes intimate personal relationship over public display. The promised reward from the Father who 'seeth in secret' guarantees that hidden communion with God yields greater fruit than conspicuous religiosity.