Spoken to:
Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, debts and repayment, virtue and virtue signaling
KJV:
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
NIV :
Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
LISTENERS HEARD:
Your yourself, however, when you pray for yourself, go into that storeroom of yours and closing the door of yours, pray to the Father of you, the one within the secret and the Father of yours, the one seeing within the secret is going to pay you back.
MY TAKE:
We use prayer to reveal the secrets of our hearts to ourselves since God already knows them.
GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page):
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
The first "you" is emphasized by using the pronoun. The verb ending makes the pronoun unnecessary. It is used for emphasis as we would use "you yourself". The form of the verb "pray" is the middle voice, which means to "pray for yourself" or "pray by yourself." Singular because Jesus is addressing an individual here.
This verse demonstrates the importance of word order in listener understanding. The word translated as "shut" is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but it is also a form of a verb that means "to make famous" and "to celebrate in song." In the Greek, this verb comes before the noun "door" so the listeners would not have known which verb was being used until "the door" is mentioned.
# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "closet" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hast" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something happening at a point in time past, present, or future.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "shut" is likely not an active verb but a participle, "shutting."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "door" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Father" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be "the one."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "secret" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "and" is more like "as" when comparisons between similar things are made like the two types of secret.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Father" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be "the one."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "see" is not an active verb but a participle, "seeing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "secret" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "himself" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the one we used today.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "reward" should be "give back."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "openly" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the one we used today.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "go" should be "enter."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "room" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "room" is a specific room, a "treasury" or "storeroom."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hast" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something happening at a point in time past, present, or future.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "shut" is likely not an active verb but a participle, "shutting."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "door" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Father" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "who " should be "the one."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "unseen" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "unseen" should be "secret" or "hidden."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be "and" or "as."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Father" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "who" should be "the one."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "sees" is not an active verb but a participle, "seeing."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "what is done" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "secret" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "himself" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the one we used today.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "reward" should be "give back."
EACH WORD of KJV :
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
thou, -- (MW) The "thou" here is the singular, subjective, second-person pronoun. Since pronouns are not usually used for subject in Greek, its use is to accentuate the word like we would say "you yourself". The "thou" here is the pronoun. Since pronouns are not usually used for the subject in Greek, its use is to accentuate the word like we would say "you yourself". In this case, the word begins the sentence, further accentuating it. Since Jesus changes from address the crowd in the previous verse to addressing an individual in this verse, this pronoun is a recognition of this.
when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
thou -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
prayest, -- The verb translated as "prayest" means both offering worship and making a request of the divine. The two concepts were closely tied in the Greek.
missing "by/for yourself"-- (WV) This addition is necessary because the form of the previous word is a middle voice, which means to act "for yourself" or "by yourself."
enter -- "Enter" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." It is in the form of a command.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. The preposition "into" is actually repeated, once as the prefix of the verb and again as the preposition before closet.
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
closet, -- The word translated as "closet" means a "treasury" or a "store room." It is usually translated as "treasury" in the NT. The idea is a room without windows and just one door. The whole idea is that they were dark and private, not places where people were normally found. Of course, today, we use "closets" as our storerooms.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
when -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source. The form of the following verb doesn't match that idea. This is added because the form of the verb is wrong, requiring a conjunction.
thou -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
hast -- (WT) This helping verb "hast" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verbs here.
shut -- (WF) The word translated as shut" is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but it is also a form of a verb that means "making famous" and "celebrating in song." This verb comes before the noun "door" so the listener would not have known which word was being used until "the door" is mentioned. The form isa participle, "closing."
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
door, -- The word translated as "the door" means "door", "valve", "gate", "window shutter", "a frame of planks," [in war}"fence or similar obstruction", "entrance" and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
pray -- The "pray" here is the same verb as started the verse, but it is in the form of a command and it doesn't contain the idea of praying "for yourself".
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object,
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
which -- (WW) The word translated as "which" is from the Greek article, "the," (masculine, possessive form) which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
is -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can means "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
secret: -- The Greek word translated as "secret" means "secret" but its primary meaning is "hidden." Jesus uses this particular word because it is the other Greek word for hidden that is the opposite of the Greek word for "truth." However, it is used as a noun, not an adjective. It is introduced with an article, "in the secret".
and -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "and" can be translated as "as" in situations applying sameness, here, the hidden charity and the hidden Father.
thy -- The "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. As we saw in the previous verse, Matthew 6:3, all the forms of "you" here are singular, addressed to a single person, not the crowd. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
which -- (WW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
seeth -- (WF) The verb translated as "seeth" means "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to beware", and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can means "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
secret -- The Greek word translated as "secret" means "secret" but its primary meaning is "hidden." Jesus uses this particular word because it is the other Greek word for hidden that is the opposite of the Greek word for "truth." However, it is used as a noun, not an adjective. It is introduced with an article, "in the secret".
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
reward -- (WW) The verb translated as "reward" means simply "to give back" or, in an economic sense, selling something you own, repaying a debt, discharging a duty, or restoring something taken. The idea is restoring a
balance. It does not have the same root as the noun translated as "reward" in previous verses. This word is from the root "give"
thee -- The word for "thee" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun.
openly. -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "openly" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
EACH WORD of NIV :
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
you , -- (MW) The "you " here is the singular, subjective, second-person pronoun. Since pronouns are not usually used for subject in Greek, its use is to accentuate the word like we would say "you yourself". The "thou" here is the pronoun. Since pronouns are not usually used for the subject in Greek, its use is to accentuate the word like we would say "you yourself". In this case, the word begins the sentence, further accentuating it. Since Jesus changes from address the crowd in the previous verse to addressing an individual in this verse, this pronoun is a recognition of this.
pray, -- The verb translated as "pray" means both offering worship and making a request of the divine. The two concepts were closely tied in the Greek.
missing "by/for yourself"-- (WV) This addition is necessary because the form of the previous word is a middle voice, which means to act "for yourself" or "by yourself."
go -- (WW) "Go" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." It is in the form of a command.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. The preposition "into" is actually repeated, once as the prefix of the verb and again as the preposition before closet.
your -- The word translated as "your " is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
room -- (CW) The word translated as "room" means a "treasury" or a "store room." It is usually translated as "treasury" in the NT. The idea is a room without windows and just one door. The whole idea is that they were dark and private, not places where people were normally found. Of course, today, we use "closets" as our storerooms.
close -- (WF) The word translated as "close " is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but it is also a form of a verb that means "making famous" and "celebrating in song." This verb comes before the noun "door" so the listener would not have known which word was being used until "the door" is mentioned. The form is not a command, but a participle, "closing."
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
door, -- The word translated as "the door" means "door", "valve", "gate", "window shutter", "a frame of planks," [in war}"fence or similar obstruction", "entrance" and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
and -- The word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
pray -- The "pray" here is the same verb as started the verse, but it is in the form of a command and it doesn't contain the idea of praying "for yourself".
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
your -- The word translated as "your " is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
who -- (WW) The word translated as "who " is from the Greek article, "the," (masculine, possessive form) which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
is -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.
missing "in"-- (MW) The untranslated word "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can means "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
unseen, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "unseen" means "secret" but its primary meaning is "hidden." Jesus uses this particular word because it is the other Greek word for hidden that is the opposite of the Greek word for "truth." However, it is used as a noun, not an adjective. It is introduced with an article, "in the secret".
Then -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" can be translated as "as" in situations applying sameness, here, the hidden charity and the hidden Father.
your -- The "your " is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. As we saw in the previous verse, Matthew 6:3, all the forms of "you" here are singular, addressed to a single person, not the crowd. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
who -- (WW) The word translated as "who " is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
sees -- (WF) The verb translated as "see" means "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to beware", and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better.
what is done -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "what is done " in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can means "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
secret -- The Greek word translated as "secret" means "secret" but its primary meaning is "hidden." Jesus uses this particular word because it is the other Greek word for hidden that is the opposite of the Greek word for "truth." However, it is used as a noun, not an adjective. It is introduced with an article, "in the secret".
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
reward -- (WW) The verb translated as "reward" means simply "to give back" or, in an economic sense, selling something you own, repaying a debt, discharging a duty, or restoring something taken. The idea is restoring a balance. It does not have the same root as the noun translated as "reward" in previous verses. This word is from the root "give"
you -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun.
COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV :
σὺ (pron 2nd sg nom) "Thou" is from su which means "you" and "your."
δὲ (partic) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").
ὅταν (conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)." -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition.
προσεύχῃ, (2nd sg pres subj mp) "Thou prayest" is from proseuchomai, which means "to offer prayers or vows", "to worship," and "to pray for a thing. It is the combination of two Greek words, pros, meaning "towards" or "by reason of," and euchomai, meaning "to pray to God."
“εἴσελθε (2nd sg aor imperat) "Enter" is eiserchomai which means both "to go into", "to come in", "to enter", "to enter an office", "to enter a charge," (as in court) and "to come into one's mind."
εἰς (prep) "Into" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὸ (article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
ταμεῖόν [4 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Closet" is from tameion, which means "treasury", "magazine", "storehouse", "store-room", "chamber," and "closet."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
κλείσας [5 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "When thou hast shut" is kleio, which means "to shut", "to close", "to bar", "to block up", "to shut in", "to confine," and "to shut up." It is a metaphor for causing the heavens to withhold rain.
τὴν (article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -\
θύραν (noun sg fem acc) attic "The door" is thyra, which means "door", "valve", "gate", "window shutter", "a frame of planks," [in war}"fence or similar obstruction", "entrance" and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
πρόσευξαι ” (2nd sg aor imperat) "Pray" is proseuchomai, which means "to offer prayers or vows", "to worship," and "to pray for a thing. It is the combination of two Greek words, pros, meaning "towards" or "by reason of," and euchomai, meaning "to pray to God."
τῷ (article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατρί (noun sg masc dat) "Father" is from pater, which means "father", "grandfather", "author", "parent," and "forefathers."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
τῷ (article sg masc dat) "Which" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".
τῷ (article sg neut dat ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κρυπτῷ: (adj sg neut dat) "Secret" is from kryptos, which is an adjective meaning "hidden", "secret", "concealed", "in disguise [of people]", "secret service," and "deep-seated." BUT it could also a form of eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ὁ (article) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατήρ (noun sg masc nom ) "Father" is from pater, which means "father", "grandfather", "author", "parent," and "forefathers."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
ὁ (article sg masc nom) "Which" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
βλέπων (part sg pres act masc nom) "Seeth" is from of blepo, which means "to look", "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to rely on", "to look longingly", "to propose", "to beware", "to behold," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding.
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with". BUT it could also a form of eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τῷ (article sg neut dat ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κρυπτῷ (adj sg neut dat ) "Secret" is from kryptos, which is an adjective meaning "hidden", "secret", "concealed", "in disguise [of people]", "secret service," and "deep-seated."
ἀποδώσει (3rd sg fut ind act) "Shall reward" is from apodidomi which means "to give back", "to restore," and "to deliver." It has the economic sense of "to sell" or "to give something for one's own profit." It begins with apo the preposition of separation and origin, the idea of "from" in English, didômi which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over," and "to describe."
σοι. (pron 2nd sg dat) "Thee" is from soi which is the singular, second-person pronoun, "you".
Wordplay:
A double play on two opposite meanings of the word translated as "shutting the door" also means "to make famous" or "celebrating in song."
Related Verses:
Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings:
“You yourself, however, when you pray by yourself?” the Teacher asked sympathetically, speaking to him personally.
“Pray by myself?” the shy, little merchant responded, sounding surprised. “We pray over meals as a family. I never really pray alone. How does a person pray by himself?”
The Master invited the little merchant, who was sitting near, to stand with him on the mound. As he came up to him, the Nazarene towered over him.
“Enter into that storeroom of yours,” the Teacher instructed him, looking down at the little man.
“My treasury, you mean?” the Mouse asked.
We laughed. Most of us don’t have treasuries. We have closets.
The Master opened an imaginary door and led the Mouse through it. The shy, little man followed him warily.
We laughed at his hesitation, as if he was entering a real room.
“And shutting that door of yours,” the Teacher continued, pretending to close the door behind them, “pray to that Father of yours.”
The Nazarene demonstrated by bowing his head, spreading his arms, and turning his palms to the sky.
“The one in the skies?” the mousy merchant asked.
“The one in the hidden,” the Teacher clarified, indicating the little man’s heart.
“Can the Divine see the pain that I’ve hidden in my heart?”the Mouse asked emotionally.
The Master nodded a “yes.”
The little merchant’s face twisted. His sad eyes teared up. We could only guess what his secret pain might be.
“And that Father of yours, the one seeing inside the hidden?” the Teacher continued warmly, looking deeply into the man’s eyes, reaching out and touching his heart. “He will repay you.”