BibleProject | Sermon on the MountSample

Warnings About Religious Practices

Before, in Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus talked about a greater righteousness that fulfills the Torah and Prophets. Today, in Matthew 6:1-18, he will illustrate what doing right by God and others looks like by showcasing three popular religious practices of his day: giving, praying, and fasting.

Jesus helps us see how common it is for people to perform righteous-looking behavior in a way that ensures others will notice. These people aren’t trying to relate well with others; they’re trying to be honored above others. Giving, prayer, and fasting, Jesus says, are intended to flow out of a joyful, close relationship with our Father in Heaven.

Let’s watch episode 6, Warnings About Religious Practices.

Video Reflection Questions:

1. In Jesus’ day, what did it mean to be a hypocrite? How is this the same or different from the common understanding of a hypocrite today?
2. Why does Jesus encourage private generosity?
3. Whether praying alone or with others, what is the wisdom principle that Jesus is advocating for in his teaching about prayer?
4. According to the video, what is the ultimate treasure for a human? And when humans genuinely receive this treasure, what happens?

Let’s read Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 (we’ll come back to verses 9-15 tomorrow). Below is the translation from the BibleProject Scholarship team, and we also encourage you to read this passage in other translations.

1 Be careful about your doing-what-is-right.

Don’t do it in front of people

for the purpose of being seen by them.

If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in the skies.

2 So then,

when you do acts of generous-giving,

don’t signal with a trumpet before you,

like the hypocrites do in the gathering places and alleyways

for the purpose of being honored by people.

Truly, I tell you: They have fully received their reward.

3 But you,

when you do acts of generous-giving,

don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

4 so that your generous-giving is done in hiddenness,

and your Father, who sees what is done in hiddenness,

he will fully reward you.

5 And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites,

because they love to pray

while standing in the gathering places and at the corners of wide streets

for the purpose of being visible to people.

Truly, I tell you: They have fully received their reward.

6 But you,

when you pray,

enter into your inner-room and shut the door,

so you can pray to your Father in hiddenness.

And your Father, who sees what is done in hiddenness,

he will fully reward you.

7 And when you are praying,

don’t use meaningless repetition like the nations,

because they suppose that they will be heard on account of their many words.

8 So don’t be like them,

because your Father knows what you need before you even ask him.

16 And when you fast,

don’t look gloomy like the hypocrites,

for they make their faces look disfigured

so that their fasting will be visible to people.

Truly, I tell you: They have fully received their reward.

17 But you, when you fast,

anoint your head with oil

and wash your face

18 so that your fasting won’t be visible to people,

but to your Father in a hidden way.

And your Father, who sees what is hidden,

he will fully reward you.