Matthew 6 Study Notes

6:16-18 They make their faces unattractive refers to the Jewish practice of smearing ashes on the face and wearing grim expressions during times of fasting. Although these acts originally expressed true repentance, hypocrites adopted them as a mask of false piety.

6:19-20 Jesus emphasized the fleeting value of worldly wealth. The larvae of the moth could quickly destroy valuable fabrics that were treasured by the ancients. The word rust is literally “eating.” It can refer to the pitting of metal coins or to vermin that ruin valuable food stores.

6:21 Jesus taught that one’s heart truly belongs to what it most treasures. Since a disciple is to love God with all one’s heart (22:37; Dt 6:4), love for material possessions and riches is a subtle form of idolatry (Col 3:5).

6:22-23 In Jewish writings, a good eye represented a generous attitude and a bad eye a stingy, miserly attitude. The bad eye (an improper perspective on wealth) results in a deep internal darkness, a moral blindness that diminishes the ability to see and pursue what is good.

6:24 People have a sinful tendency to make an idol of money, which then competes with God for their allegiance.

6:25 Isn’t life more than food is a rabbinic style of argument. It reasons that if God does a greater thing for us, he will also do lesser things. Specifically, if God created you (the greater accomplishment), he is certainly capable of feeding you (a lesser accomplishment).

6:26 Jesus here reversed his previous argument and reasoned that if God bothers to do a lesser thing (feed the birds), he will assuredly accomplish the greater thing of feeding humans.

6:27 Add one moment to his life-span refers to longevity. Worry is futile and cannot prolong your life.

6:28-30 Jesus revealed that the real cause of anxiety is when disciples have little faith, meaning doubt about God’s power and disbelief in his desire to provide for his children.

6:31-32 Obsession with material possessions displays the warped priorities of Gentiles.

6:33 Disciples who value the reign of God over their lives and who diligently pursue righteous living can trust God to satisfy their needs.

6:34 Jesus did not prohibit planning for the future, but he did prohibit worrying about it. He urged his disciples instead to focus on the challenges of the present.