Monday 20 May 2019

What ancient tradition of prayer is Jesus critical of in Matthew 6:7?



In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. (NABRE)

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (KJV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (NIV)

And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (RSV)

And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. (DRA)

I'm not asking for a personal interpretation of this passage, and I especially don't want opinions on the controversial matter of 'literal' prayers (which may or may not include the Lord's Prayer and the Psalms).

What is clear is that Jesus is making a reference to pagans/heathens (εθνικοι), who do something displeasing during their prayers (βαττολογησητε). The prayers of these pagans were presumably recognizable enough to be known both to the direct audience of Jesus and to the direct audience of Matthew. What do we know about these pagans and their way of praying? Was there a specific group? Are there any sources that describe the prayers of pagans at that time?



It's ironic that’s Christians using the Kjv claim that Muslims use repetition when praying 5 times a day? Well firstly, that’s not what the verse is saying. Secondly Muslims don't use vain repetition or to be more accurate as the NIV states "babbling like pagans", since if repetition was also done by Christians. Think of it how prayers did Jesus teach his disciples?
Only one, and that is the Lord Prayer

(Luke 11:1-4 & Matthew 6:9-13). This passage can be found in the Sermon on the Mount. Both Matthew and Luke mention the same prayer uttered by Jesus with a minor variance due to possible transmission error.  If Christians have only one prayer taught by Jesus and they pray 10 times a day, wouldn’t that be a repetition and fall in the same category as pagans? Christians need to be consistent when making such bold claims about Muslims, as it will only backfire on them


Christians only have one Lord prayer, Muslim on the other hand have more prayers then their whole bible put together.  If Jesus of the bible did say those words, then Christians are defiantly pagans according to his own words, since they only have one prayer, which no doubt is a repetition.

also note, according to the gospels Jesus prayed the same prayer in the garden of Gethsemane repeatedly, what does that make him?


39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”


43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. (Matthew 26:39-44)


notice in verse 44 it says "So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing."

we let you answer that

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