Matt 6:11-15
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The New Testament > Matthew > Chapter 6
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Questions
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Why does the Book of Mormon not include any of the JST changes made to the Lord's Prayer as indicated in Matthew? And if the last line of the prayer was indeed added by a scribe at a later date, why is it included in the Book of Mormon version?
Lexical notes
Verse 13
- Evil. The Greek phrase translated as "deliver us from evil" in verse 13 could also be translated as "deliver us from the evil one" or "deliver us from the evildoer."
Primary sources delete the last line of the Lord's Prayer as recorded here, suggesting a later scribe inserted it: "...For thine is the kingdom...Amen." In many Bible translations other than the KJV this line is left out. It is certainly poetic, however, if you read the prayer without this line added, the continuity and power between our receiving the effects of the atonement in our lives and the relationship with our forgiving others is maintained.
Verse 14
- Men. The Greek word translated as "men" in verses 14 and 15 is anthropos, which refers to humans in general.
- The Greek word paraptoma, translated as "trespasses" in verses 14 and 15, can refer to any deviation from acceptable behavior, whether intentional or unintentional.
Exegesis
Verse 11
Bread is often symbolic of of both temporal and spiritual needs. This verse seems to mark a shift away from more general, cosmic concerns to needs that are more specific and particular.
Verse 12
This verse seems to reiterate the notion of mercy mentioned explicitly in Matt 5:7. A more justice-oriented prayer is exemplified by Appollonius of Tyana who prayed: “Oh ye gods, give me the things which are owing to me.”
Verse 13
Temptation here likely refers not just to sin, but to trials of all kinds. Note the JST alters this to read "And suffer us not to be led into temptation."
Verse 14
Trespasses here seems parallel to the debts in verse 12. If we want to be forgiven by our Heavenly Father, we should forgive others for the wrongs they do to us. This suggests a link between our relationship with God and our relationship with others (cf. Matt 5:9, Matt 5:21-26).
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