16And when you fast, do not become gloomy-faced like the performers, for they make their faces unrecognizable so that they may appear to men as fasting. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full. [6:17] But you, when fasting, anoint your head and wash your face, [6:18] so that you do not appear to men as fasting but to your Father who is in secret — and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
MAT 6:16-18
Proper Fasting
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish practice, fasting was a deeply religious act, often tied to mourning, repentance, or seeking divine favor. Public displays of piety, however, were common among certain groups, particularly the Pharisees, who emphasized outward observance of the Law. The term 'hypocrites' evokes actors performing a role, suggesting that some fasted not for God but for public acclaim. Disfiguring one’s face—perhaps by neglecting hygiene or applying ashes—was a visible sign of fasting, intended to elicit admiration. Jesus critiques this performative piety, urging his listeners to fast in secret, maintaining normal grooming practices like anointing the head and washing the face. These actions, culturally associated with joy and normalcy, would conceal the fast from public view. The promise of reward 'in secret' reflects the Jewish belief that God sees and honors genuine devotion, contrasting with the fleeting honor gained from human approval. This teaching subverts the honor-shame economy of public piety, redirecting focus to God’s unseen judgment.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 6:16
- KJV
- Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
- BSB
- When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
- Koinōnos
- And when you fast, do not become gloomy-faced like the performers, for they make their faces unrecognizable so that they may appear to men as fasting. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full.
MAT 6:17
- KJV
- But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
- BSB
- But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
- Koinōnos
- But you, when fasting, anoint your head and wash your face,
MAT 6:18
- KJV
- That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
- BSB
- so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Koinōnos
- so that you do not appear to men as fasting but to your Father who is in secret — and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 6:16
- hypocrites:The word translated 'hypocrites' originally referred to an actor on a stage, someone playing a part. It implies putting on a performance rather than being genuine.
- they disfigure:The term translated 'they disfigure' means to make something unseen or unrecognizable. It suggests intentionally altering one's appearance to hide something or to make it look worse.
- that::The word translated 'that' here carries the sense of having received something in full, like a receipt for payment. It implies they have already received their complete reward.
MAT 6:17
- do anoint yourself:The phrase 'do anoint yourself' refers to the common practice of applying oil to the body for hygiene, grooming, or refreshment, especially after washing. It was a normal part of daily care.