Matthew 6:5

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, etc.] As the Scribes and Pharisees; whose posture in prayer, the places they chose to pray in, and the view they had therein, are particularly taken notice of: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. It was their usual custom to pray “standing”; nay, it is established by their canons. “There are eight things, (says Maimonides f385,) that a man that prays ought to take heed to do; and the first he mentions is “standing”; for, says he, no man may pray dmy[m ala, “but standing”; if he is sitting in a ship, or in a cart, if he can stand, he must stand; if not, he…”

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt--or, preferably, "when ye pray ye shall." not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets--(See on Mat 6:2). that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have, &c.--The standing posture in prayer was the ancient practice, alike in the Jewish and in the early Christian Church. But of course this conspicuous posture opened the way for the ostentatious.”

“And when thou prayest ... - Hypocrites manifested the same spirit about prayer as almsgiving; it was done in public places. The word “synagogues,” here, clearly means, not the place of worship of that name, but places where many were accustomed to assemble - near the markets or courts, where they could be seen of many. Our Lord evidently could not mean to condemn prayers in the synagogues. It might be said that he condemned ostentatious prayer there, while they neglected secret prayer; but this does not appear to be his design. The Jews were much in the habit of praying in public places. At certain times of the day they always offered their prayers. Wherever they were, they suspended their…”

“The synagogues - These were properly the places where the people assembled for public prayer, and hearing the Scriptures read and expounded. They were in every city from the time of the Babylonish captivity, and had service in them thrice a day on three days in the week. In every synagogue was a council of grave and wise persons, over whom was a president, called the ruler of the synagogue. But the word here, as well as in many other texts, signifies any place of public concourse. Matthew 6:6”

“6:5 When you pray: Jews prayed regularly at 9 am and 3 pm (see Acts 3:1) and had frequent times of public prayer. Hypocrites deliberately sought to be in public places at such times, to be seen by all.”

“when: Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8, Mat 9:38, Mat 21:22; Psa 5:2, Psa 55:17; Pro 15:8; Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Jer 29:12; Dan 6:10, 9:4-19; Luk 18:1; Joh 16:24; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2, Col 4:3; Th1 5:17; Jam 5:15, Jam 5:16 thou shalt not: Mat 6:2, Mat 23:14; Job 27:8-10; Isa 1:15; Luk 18:10, Luk 18:11, Luk 20:47 for: Mat 23:6; Mar 12:38; Luk 11:43 Verily: Mat 6:2; Pro 16:5; Luk 14:12-14; Jam 4:6 Matthew 6:6”