Matthew 6:9

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

• ¹ Luke 11:2 Luke 11:2
  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
  — When ye pray, say, Our Father
• ² Romans 8:15 Romans 8:15
  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
  — Whereby we cry, Abba, Father

Analysis

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. This opening address establishes the fundamental relationship and priority in prayer. "Our Father" (Pater hēmōn, Πάτερ ἡμῶν) was revolutionary in its intimacy—while Jews acknowledged God as Father of the nation, Jesus taught individual believers to approach God with filial confidence. The Aramaic Abba behind this Greek reflects intimate family relationship.

"Which art in heaven" (ho en tois ouranois, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς) balances intimacy with reverence, acknowledging God's transcendence and sovereign authority. This phrase prevents presumptuous familiarity while maintaining relational warmth.

"Hallowed be thy name" (hagiasthētō to onoma sou, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου) uses the passive voice, recognizing that ultimately God hallows His own name through His actions. The aorist imperative suggests both an ongoing desire and an eschatological hope for universal recognition of God's holiness.

Historical Context

Jewish prayer in the first century typically began with elaborate titles acknowledging God's transcendence and holiness. The most common address was "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe." Jesus' use of "Father" would have been startling in its simplicity and intimacy, though some Jewish prayers did refer to God as Father of Israel.

The Kaddish prayer, central to Jewish liturgy, included the petition "May His great name be sanctified and hallowed," showing that the concept of hallowing God's name was familiar to Jewish worshipers. However, Jesus places this petition in the context of individual, intimate prayer rather than formal liturgy.

The family structure in ancient Mediterranean culture made the father the source of honor, provision, and protection for the household. Jesus' teaching that believers could approach the sovereign God as "Father" implied both tremendous privilege and serious responsibility.

Questions for Reflection

• How does understanding God as 'our Father' change the way we approach prayer, worship, and obedience?
• What does it mean practically to 'hallow' God's name in contemporary culture, and how do our lives contribute to this?
• How does the balance between intimacy ('Father') and reverence ('in heaven') inform healthy Christian spirituality?

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