In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: The World English Bible translates the passage as: The English Standard Version translates the passage as: The Novum Testamentum Graece text is: The verse opens with an instruction to pray in the manner that follows.

This is important to Christian theology as the prayer mentions forgiveness for sins, and Jesus is held to be sinless.

That the New Testament gives other prayers, including a similar one in Luke, is one indication that different wordings are acceptable.

The New Testament also reports Jesus disciples praying on several occasions, but never describes them using this prayer.

The opening pronoun is plural, which France notes indicates that the prayer was likely intended for communal worship, rather than private repetition.

The Greek word for hallowed was a rare one, and like the English term almost only found in a Biblical context.

Hendriksen notes that in this era names were not simply labels, but were seen as true reflections of the nature of the object.

[4] Glossa Ordinaria: Amongst His other saving instructions and divine lessons, wherewith He counsels believers, He has set forth for us a form of prayer in few words; thus giving us confidence that that will be quickly granted, for which He would have us pray so shortly.

[5] Glossa Ordinaria: Yet we do not confine ourselves wholly to these words, but use others also conceived in the same sense, with which our heart is kindled.

For who calls God Father, in that one title confesses at once the forgiveness of sins, the adoption, the heirship, the brotherhood, which he has with the Only-begotten, and the gift of the Spirit.

[5] Chrysostom: In heaven, not confining God's presence to that, but withdrawing the thoughts of the petitioner from earth and fixing them on things above.

It is a petition worthy to be made by man to God, to ask nothing before the glory of the Father, but to postpone all things to His praise.