“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 6:13 Mean?
The final petition of the Lord's Prayer asks for protection from temptation and deliverance from evil. Jesus teaches his followers to pray not just for provision (daily bread) and forgiveness (trespasses) but for spiritual protection.
"Lead us not into temptation" has been debated for centuries — does God lead people into temptation? James 1:13 says God tempts no one. The prayer is better understood as: do not let us enter into a place of testing beyond our capacity. Keep us from the situations that would overwhelm us.
"Deliver us from evil" (or "the evil one") asks for active rescue from the forces of darkness. This is not passive avoidance but active divine intervention.
The doxology — "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever" — closes the prayer by returning to God. The prayer began with God's name, God's kingdom, and God's will. It ends the same way. Everything circles back to him.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What temptation do you most need God to steer you away from right now?
- 2.How is praying 'lead us not into temptation' an act of self-awareness rather than weakness?
- 3.What does 'deliver us from evil' mean in your daily, practical life?
- 4.Why does the prayer end with a declaration about God's kingdom and power rather than about your needs?
Devotional
Lead us not into temptation. This is a prayer born of self-awareness. You know your weaknesses. You know where you are most vulnerable. And you are asking God to steer you away from the situations that would break you.
This is not a prayer of strength. It is a prayer of honest weakness. God, I know myself. I know what I cannot handle. Please do not let me walk into what will destroy me.
Deliver us from evil. Active rescue. Not just avoidance of bad things but liberation from evil's grip — the patterns that enslave, the darkness that encroaches, the enemy that seeks to devour.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. The prayer ends where it began — with God. Not with your needs, though those were voiced. Not with your fears, though those were named. With God. His kingdom. His power. His glory. For ever.
The Lord's Prayer is a complete circle — from God back to God, with your life held inside it.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And lead us not into temptation,.... Such a petition as this is often to be observed in the prayers of the Jews (a),
,…
This passage contains the Lord’s prayer, a composition unequalled for comprehensiveness and for beauty. It is supposed…
When Christ had condemned what was amiss, he directs to do better; for his are reproofs of instruction. Because we know…
lead us not into temptation The statement of James, Jas 1:2, "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations," is…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture