Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:16-18
We are here cautioned against hypocrisy in fasting, as before in almsgiving, and in prayer.
I. It is here supposed that religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, when God, in his providence, calls to it, and when the case of their own souls upon any account requires it; when the bridegroom is taken away, then shall they fast, Mat 9:15. Fasting is here put last, because it is not so much a duty for its own sake, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Prayer comes in between almsgiving and fasting, as being the life and soul of both. Christ here speaks especially of private fasts, such as particular persons prescribe to themselves, as free-will offerings, commonly us…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 6:17
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face--as the Jews did, except when mourning (Dan 10:3); so that the meaning is, "Appear as usual"--appear so as to attract no notice.
John Gill on Matthew 6:17
But thou, when thou fastest,.... Christ allows of fasting, but what is of a quite different kind from that of the Jews; which lay not in an outward abstinence from food, and other conveniences of life, and refreshments of nature; but in an abstinence from sin, in acknowledgment and confession of it; and in the exercise of faith and hope in God, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin; wherefore cheerfulness, and a free use of the creatures, without an abuse of them, best became such persons.
Anoint thine head, and wash thy face; directly contrary to the Jewish canons, which forbid these things, with others, on fast days:
"On the day of atonement, (say (i) they,) a man is forbidd…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6:16-18
16. Moreover, when you shall fast, be not, like the hypocrites, dejected: [447] for they disfigure their faces, that it may be evident to men that they fast. Verily I say to you, they have their reward. 17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, 18. That it may not appear to men that thou fastest, but to thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly.
He again returns to the former doctrine: for, having begun to rebuke vain ostentation in alms and prayer, he laid down, before proceeding farther, the rule for praying in a right manner. The same injunction is now given to his disciples abou…
