John Gill's Exposition on Matthew 6:7

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, etc.] Saying the same things over and over again, as the Heathens do, as the worshippers of Baal, from morning till noon, (<111826>1 Kings 18:26). This our Lord observes, to dissuade from such practices, because the Gentiles, who were odious to the Jews, used them, and the Jews were guilty of the same; had they not, there would not have been any need of such advice: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking; as did the Jews, who, under pretence of “long prayers”, devoured widows’ houses; and with whom it is an axiom, that “everyone hn[n hlyptb hbrmh, that multiplies prayer is heard” f397; and whoever prolongs his prayer, his prayer does not return empty; and he that is long in prayer, his days are prolonged f398 : and, according to their canons, every day a man ought to pray eighteen prayers. Moreover, their prayer books abound in tautologies, and in expressing the same things in different words, and by a multiplicity of them.

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