Chiasmus / Literary Structure
The Chiastic Structure of Matt 6:9-13
Matt 6:9-13 (Matthew 6:9-13 — The Lord's Prayer) is arranged as a chiasm— an ancient mirror pattern (A-B-C-B′-A′) in which ideas repeat in reverse order around a central pivot. The structure turns on its center: “Give us today our daily bread — present provision”. The Lord's Prayer, when analyzed structurally, reveals a chiastic pattern that places the petition for forgiveness — and the condition attached to it — at its heart.
The Mirror Pattern
- A
Our Father in heaven — address and relationship
Matt 6:9a
- B
Hallowed be your name — God's reputation
Matt 6:9b
- C
Your kingdom come — God's reign
Matt 6:10a
- D
Your will be done on earth as in heaven — God's will
Matt 6:10b
- X
Give us today our daily bread — present provision
Matt 6:11
Central pivot — the emphasized point
- D'
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors — human will
Matt 6:12
- C'
Lead us not into temptation — God's protection
Matt 6:13a
- B'
Deliver us from evil — God's rescue
Matt 6:13b
- A'
For yours is the kingdom, power, and glory forever — address and doxology
Matt 6:13c
Indentation shows the nesting toward the central pivot and back out — the hallmark of a chiasm.
Why the Structure Matters
In a chiasm, the author’s main point is placed at the center rather than the end. Reading Matt 6:9-13 as a mirror pattern draws the eye to its pivot — “Give us today our daily bread — present provision” — as the key the passage turns on. Recognizing the structure changes how the passage is read and preached.