Big Idea: Jesus expects his disciples to practice a covenantal piety that centers on a longing for God’s kingdom to arrive and strives to please God, not humans.

Understanding the Text

Following on the heels of Matthew’s instructions about keeping the law, this passage indicates right ways of enacting religious practices of giving, prayer, and fasting. In each case, believers ought to act “in secret” to receive divine rather than human approval. Their behavior is to contrast with “hypocrites” who care about present, public honor. The problem of hypocrisy will also be addressed by Jesus in chapters 15 and 23. The centerpiece of this passage (and possibly the whole Sermon on the Mount) is the Lord’s Prayer (6:9–13). The importance of prayer will also be emphasized in 7:7–11, with the theme of …