snWhen you pray. What follows, although traditionally known as the Lord’s prayer, is really the disciples’ prayer. It represents how they are to approach God, by acknowledging his uniqueness and their need for his provision and protection.
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tc Most mss, including later majority (A C D W Θ Ψ 070 f13 33vid 𝔐 it), add ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς (hēmōn ho en tois oujranois, “our [Father] in heaven”) here. This makes the prayer begin like the version in Matt 6:9. The shorter version is read by 𝔓75א B (L: + ἡμῶν) 1 700 pc as well as some versions and fathers. Given this more weighty external evidence, combined with the scribal tendency to harmonize Gospel parallels, the shorter reading is preferred.
sn God is addressed in terms of intimacy (Father). The original Semitic term here was probably Abba. The term is a little unusual in a personal prayer, especially as it lacks qualification. It is not the exact equivalent of “Daddy” (as is sometimes popularly suggested), but it does suggest a close, familial relationship.
tc Most mss (א A C D W Θ Ψ 070 f13 33vid 𝔐 it) read at the end of the verse “may your will be done on earth as [it is] in heaven,” making this version parallel to Matt 6:10. The shorter reading is found, however, in weighty mss (𝔓75 B L pc), and cannot be easily explained as arising from the longer reading.
snYour kingdom come represents the hope for the full manifestation of God’s promised rule.