How to Fast

16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces (A) so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,(B) 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 6:18 Other mss add openly

The Sermon on the Mount: How to Fast

16 “Whenever you fast, do not be sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unrecognizable in order that they may be seen fasting by people. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full! 17 But when[a] you are fasting, put olive oil on your head[b] and wash your face 18 so that you will not be seen by people as fasting, but to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:17 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“fasting”) which is understood as temporal
  2. Matthew 6:17 Literally “anoint your head”