King James Bible
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Jesus warns against mechanical, thoughtless prayer that relies on formulaic phrases without genuine heart engagement. The Greek term suggests babbling or empty chatter, emphasizing that prayer's power lies not in technique but in sincere communication with God. Jesus contrasts his followers with pagan worshippers who often repeated divine names and incantations to manipulate their gods. This comparison highlights that the God of Israel operates differently—He values relationship over ritual performance. Pagan prayer assumed that lengthy petitions would wear down the gods or prove devotion through endurance. Jesus exposes this as a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature, who already knows our needs and responds to faith rather than verbosity.