Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

¹⁶ “Moreover, ^(A)when you fast, do not be like the ^[a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, ^(B)anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you ^[b]openly.

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting^(A)

¹⁴ Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, ^(B)“Why do we and the Pharisees fast ^[a]often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵ And Jesus said to them, “Can ^(C)the ^[b]friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and ^(D)then they will fast.