“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse warns against "vain repetitions," which isn't just about length, but about a meaningless babbling or stammering of words. This isn't about repeating an earnest plea for emphasis, but about a thoughtless, mechanical recitation, as if the quantity of words, not the heart behind them, is what God listens to.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching his disciples about authentic prayer, contrasting it with the superficial practices of both pagan Gentiles and potentially even some Jewish people of the time. He's just spoken about avoiding public displays of piety, and now he's addressing the content and style of prayer itself, emphasizing sincerity over quantity. This teaching flows directly into his model prayer, showing how to pray genuinely rather than what to avoid.
Ever felt like your prayers were just going through the motions? Jesus warns against a specific way of praying that misses the mark.
Jesus uses the Greek word 'battologēsete' (βαττολογήσητε) which paints a picture of stammering or babbling. It's not about how long you pray, but about the substance of your prayer. He's calling out prayers that are repetitive, meaningless, and lack genuine heart connection. Think of it like the ancient prophets calling out to Baal, repeating the same cries over and over, hoping for a response purely through sheer volume. This isn't a call to never repeat ourselves in prayer – sometimes earnestness requires it! But it's a warning against using prayer as a performance, expecting God to be impressed by a long string of words rather than a sincere heart. The focus shifts from what you say to why and how you say it, from the heart.
Why did Jesus connect mindless repetition to the Gentiles? It reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of who God is.
The core issue with 'heaping up empty phrases' is the underlying belief about God. The Gentiles (and sometimes even distracted Israelites) thought their sheer volume of words was what compelled God to listen. They believed their 'much speaking' was the key to efficacy. Jesus, however, is teaching us about our Father in heaven. He contrasts the Gentiles' approach with the reality of our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father isn't distant, unaware, or hard of hearing, needing to be persuaded by a lengthy recitation. He us. He knows our needs even before we articulate them. Therefore, prayer isn't about impressing God with our eloquent or lengthy speeches, but about connecting with Him, expressing our dependence, and aligning our hearts with His will. It's about genuine communication, not a performance.
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Understand the original words
battologeō · Greek Verb
Literally 'to babble' or 'chatter'; refers to mindless, repetitive religious speech that lacks sincerity or spiritual engagement.
ethnikos · Greek Noun/Adjective
Specifically referring to non-Jewish nations; often used to describe those outside the covenant community who lack true knowledge of the one living God.
Jesus' teaching here directly contrasts with the excesses of pagan worship, like the frantic calls to Baal, and also gently corrects certain tendencies within Judaism that emphasized quantity of words over the heart's true disposition.
c. 875 BC
Elijah Confronts Prophets of Baal
During a severe drought, the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel, exposing the futility of their incessant, unheeded cries to their god.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonians led to the exile of many Judeans, a period where prayer and devotion took on new forms amidst suffering.
c. 1st century BC - 1st century AD
Jewish Prayer Practices and Traditions
During this era, formalized daily prayers like the Amidah developed, and some interpretations within Judaism emphasized lengthy or repetitive prayer, a practice Jesus sometimes challenged.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches the Lord's Prayer
In response to his disciples' request, Jesus taught them a model prayer, emphasizing brevity, sincerity, and God's foreknowledge, contrasting with pagan and some contemporary Jewish practices.
c. AD 52
Paul Warns Against Empty Speech
Writing to the Corinthians, Paul cautioned against the kind of eloquent but empty speech that could be mistaken for true communication with God, emphasizing spiritual understanding.
c. AD 55
Paul Encourages Focused Prayer
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul urged believers to pray at all times with every kind of prayer, showing that varied and earnest prayer is valued, not mere repetition.
This passage vividly illustrates the 'vain repetitions' Jesus warns against, showing the prophets of Baal desperately and endlessly calling out to their god without any response.
Luke 11:1-4Immediately following this teaching, Jesus provides a model prayer. It's concise and focuses on essentials, standing in contrast to the lengthy, repetitive prayers He cautioned against.
Philippians 4:6This verse offers a powerful antidote to 'much speaking' by urging believers to bring their requests to God with thanksgiving, highlighting the importance of a thankful heart over a multitude of words.
Matthew 6:8Jesus directly follows this warning by explaining *why* we don't need 'much speaking': our Father already knows what we need. This emphasizes relationship and trust over performative prayer.
barnesMatthew 6:7: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Use not vain repetitions - The original word here is supposed to be derived from the name of a Greek poet, who made long and weary verses, declaring by many forms and endless repetitions the same sentiment. Hence, it means to repeat a thing often; to say the same thing in different words, or to repeat the same words, as though God did not hear at first.…
vincentMatthew 6:7: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Use vain repetitions (βατταλογήσητε)A word formed in imitation of the sound, battalogein: properly, to stammer; then to babble or prate, to repeat the same formula many times, as the worshippers of Baal and of Diana of Ephesus (1 Kings 18:26; Acts 19:34) and the Romanists with their paternosters and aves.
The verse warns against "vain repetitions," which isn't just about length, but about a meaningless babbling or stammering of words. This isn't about repeating an earnest plea for emphasis, but about a thoughtless, mechanical recitation, as if the quantity of words, not the heart behind them, is what God listens to.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about authentic prayer, contrasting it with the superficial practices of both pagan Gentiles and potentially even some Jewish people of the time. He's just spoken about avoiding public displays of piety, and now he's addressing the content and style of prayer itself, emphasizing sincerity over quantity. This teaching flows directly into his model prayer, showing how to pray genuinely rather than what to avoid.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about authentic prayer, contrasting it with the superficial practices of both pagan Gentiles and potentially even some Jewish people of the time. He's just spoken about avoiding public displays of piety, and now he's addressing the content and style of prayer itself, emphasizing sincerity over quantity. This teaching flows directly into his model prayer, showing how to pray genuinely rather than what to avoid.
"“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words." — The verse warns against "vain repetitions," which isn't just about length, but about a meaningless babbling or stammering of words. This isn't about repeating an earnest plea for emphasis, but ab…
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Last reviewed October 2026