Matthew 6:5 is the fifth verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse opens discussion on the proper procedure for praying. Content In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: The World English Bible translates the passage as: The Novum Testamentum Graece text is: For a collection of other versions see Bible Gateway Matthew 6:5 Analysis The previous verses have been discussing alms-giving, and Jesus argued that such giving should be in secret, and not be undertaken to pursue praise from others. This verse extends this argument to prayer, another of the cornerstones of Jewish piety. In that era there were public prayers at the temple and in synagogues, and private prayers to be said on one's own. There were also regularly scheduled times for prayer. Swiss theologian Eduard Schweizer notes that when it was time to pray, one was instructed to seek out an inconspicuous corner, and prayers not at public events were to be quietly mumbled. As mentioned in this verse, standing was the standard position for prayer. In this verse Jesus condemns as hypocrites those who make an ostentatious display of praying. As with Matthew 6:2, the same association can be seen between hypocrisy and the synagogues, although the word synagogue might be used in its more general sense of "any meeting place". This verse states that for those who pray to be seen by others, their only reward will be the adulation of their peers. Similarly, Luke 18:9-14 condemns a Pharisee who seeks out the most prominent location in the Temple to pray. However, theologian M. Eugene Boring notes that Jewish writings from that time are equally condemning exhibitionist prayers, so these verses should not imply that it was a mainstream practice. William Hendriksen notes that while in Matthew 6:2 the word used for street can also be read as alley, this verse is clear in stating that the prayer is taking place at the corner of the major thoroughfares. Commentary from the Church Fathers Pseudo-Chrysostom: "Solomon says, Before prayer, prepare thy soul. (Ecclus. 18:23.) This he does who comes to prayer doing alms; for good works stir up the faith of the heart, and give the soul confidence in prayer to God. Alms then are a preparation for prayer, and therefore the Lord after speaking