Matthew 6:8 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

Matthew 6:7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 6:8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "therefore", "like", "father", "knoweth", "things", "need", and "before". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "therefore" and "like", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "And in praying use not vain repetitions..." into verse 9's "After this manner therefore pray ye Our...", so "therefore" and "like" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "therefore" and "like" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.