Matthew 6:16
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "disfigure their faces" isn't about making themselves look intentionally ugly, but rather about concealing their natural appearance by not washing or anointing themselves, the normal signs of daily upkeep. Jesus is pointing out that these hypocrites actively mask their true selves, not to hide from God, but to be seen and praised by others.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about true righteousness, contrasting it with the outward show of religious practice often displayed by the Pharisees. He's just spoken about giving to the needy and praying in private, warning against seeking human applause; now he addresses fasting, a common Jewish practice for showing devotion or grief. He emphasizes that the motivation behind these acts is key, and that hypocrisy, seeking recognition from others, forfeits any true reward from God.
We often see fasting as a religious duty, but what if its true purpose is far more personal and internal? Jesus cuts through the performance to reveal what really matters.
Jesus isn't telling us not to fast. In fact, the phrasing "when you fast" implies it's a practice you will engage in. The key isn't if you fast, but how and why.
Internal vs. External
Fasting, at its core, is a spiritual discipline that expresses a deeper internal state – often grief, repentance, or intense seeking of God. It's a physical act that mirrors an emotional or spiritual condition. When people feel deep sorrow or are burdened by sin, they naturally lose their appetite (Barnes). Fasting is the intentional continuation of this natural response.
God Sees the Heart
The danger arises when this internal expression becomes an external performance. Hypocrites "disfigure their faces" – neglecting their appearance, perhaps even applying ashes or dust – not for God, but to be by others (Vincent). Their goal is human admiration, not divine communion. Jesus is clear: this outward show has its only reward in the fleeting praise of people.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 6:16 is available in the Sola app.
What does Jesus mean when He says hypocrites 'have received their reward'? It sounds final, and it is. Discover the hollow prize they gain and why it's nothing compared to what God offers.
The sting of Jesus' statement, "Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward," lies in its absolute finality for the hypocrite.
The Praise of Men
Their reward is precisely what they aimed for: the applause and admiration of other people. They meticulously craft an image of piety through their outward show – the sad countenance, the neglected appearance – hoping to gain respect and recognition from their peers (Benson, Gill). This is the peak of their achievement, the total extent of their compensation.
A Reward Without Substance
But human praise is fleeting and hollow. It cannot bring true satisfaction, lasting peace, or genuine spiritual growth. It's a reward that can be seen and acknowledged by others, but it offers nothing eternal. Jesus contrasts this meager gain with the reward God gives to those who act with sincere hearts, a reward unseen by human eyes but deeply valued by God (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18).
The Greek word for 'disfigure' here is fascinating. It hints at a deliberate masking of reality, a performance designed to hide the truth rather than express it. What does this tell us about true devotion?
When Jesus talks about hypocrites 'disfiguring their faces,' He's pointing to a specific kind of performance that distorts reality.
The Art of Invisibility
The Greek word used (aphanizo) doesn't just mean to make ugly; it carries the sense of making something 'invisible' or 'unseen' (Meyer, Cambridge). The hypocrites were deliberately concealing their true selves, making their faces unrecognizable, perhaps by neglecting to wash or anoint themselves as was customary, or even by applying ashes or dust (Vincent, Benson). This wasn't about expressing genuine sorrow; it was about creating a visual cue that screamed, 'Look how pious I am!'
A Contrast to True Humility
Ironically, Jesus advises the opposite in the very next verses: 'But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face' (Matthew 6:17). This isn't advocating for looking cheerful while fasting, but for maintaining a normal appearance. The point is that your fasting should be between you and God. By acting normally, you prevent anyone from seeing you fast, thus ensuring your reward comes from God, not men. The 'disfigurement' was a mask; the normal appearance is a sign of genuine, unseen devotion.
Understand the original words
nēsteuēte · Greek Verb
The practice of abstaining from food for a period of time to focus on prayer, repentance, or seeking God's will; it is an act of self-denial and spiritual discipline.
hypokritai · Greek Noun
One who acts on a stage, metaphorically referring to someone who plays a part or acts in a way that is insincere or deceptive, particularly in religious devotion.
misthon · Greek Noun
A physical or spiritual return for one's actions, often used in this context to denote the temporary, earthly recognition received for performative religious acts, which precludes further divine reward.
Jesus is speaking into a context where fasting, a practice rooted in genuine sorrow and penitence like the national fasts following Jerusalem's destruction, had become a performance for the Pharisees. They adopted rituals like neglecting to wash or anoint themselves to look visibly devout, seeking human praise rather than God's favor.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and deport many Judeans. This event led to the establishment of annual fasts to commemorate the tragedy.
c. 516 BC
Return from Exile and Temple Reconstruction
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, some Judeans return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple. However, the city and its walls remain in ruins for a significant period.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah leads a mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition. This period saw increased religious observance and a desire for outward piety.
c. 2nd Century BC
Rise of Ascetic Practices
During the Hellenistic period, some Jewish groups began to adopt more rigorous ascetic practices, including frequent fasting, as a means of demonstrating spiritual devotion and seeking divine favor.
c. 1st Century BC - 1st Century AD
Pharisaic Fasting Traditions
The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, popularized regular fasting, often observing fasts twice a week. They emphasized outward displays of piety, including specific fasting rituals and appearances.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, addressing various aspects of discipleship, including prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. He critiques the hypocritical performance of religious duties, emphasizing genuine heart-attitudes over outward show.
This passage from Isaiah directly critiques the outward show of fasting without true repentance, mirroring Jesus' concern in Matthew 6 about fasting done merely to be seen by others.
Luke 18:11-12The Pharisee in Jesus' parable boasts about fasting twice a week, highlighting the kind of religious observance that could easily become performative, just as Jesus warns against in Matthew 6.
2 Samuel 12:16When David's child was sick, he fasted and lay on the ground, showing a natural, sincere expression of grief through abstinence from food, contrasting with the hypocritical fasting Jesus condemns.
Daniel 10:2-3Daniel's fasting was a solemn period of mourning and seeking God, marked by abstaining from rich food and anointing, reflecting a genuine spiritual burden rather than a public display.
Galatians 1:10Paul's question, 'Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings...?' gets to the heart of Matthew 6:16's warning: if our religious acts are aimed at pleasing people, that's the only reward we'll get.
vincentMatthew 6:16: "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."
Ye fast (νηστεύητε)Observe the force of the present tense as indicating action in progress: Whenever ye may be fasting.Of a sad countenance (σκυθρωποί)An uncommon word in the New Testament, occurring only here and at Luke 24:17. Trench ("Studies in the Gospels") explains it by the older sen…
bensonMatthew 6:16: "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."
Matthew 6:16-18 . When ye fast — Our Lord does not enjoin either fasting, alms-deeds, or prayer, all these being duties which were before fully established in the Church of God. Be not as the hypocrites, &c. — Do not follow the example of the hypocrites, who, in order to show that they fast,…
The phrase "disfigure their faces" isn't about making themselves look intentionally ugly, but rather about concealing their natural appearance by not washing or anointing themselves, the normal signs of daily upkeep. Jesus is pointing out that these hypocrites actively mask their true selves, not to hide from God, but to be seen and praised by others.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about true righteousness, contrasting it with the outward show of religious practice often displayed by the Pharisees. He's just spoken about giving to the needy and praying in private, warning against seeking human applause; now he addresses fasting, a common Jewish practice for showing devotion or grief. He emphasizes that the motivation behind these acts is key, and that hypocrisy, seeking recognition from others, forfeits any true reward from God.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about true righteousness, contrasting it with the outward show of religious practice often displayed by the Pharisees. He's just spoken about giving to the needy and praying in private, warning against seeking human applause; now he addresses fasting, a common Jewish practice for showing devotion or grief. He emphasizes that the motivation behind these acts is key, and that hypocrisy, seeking recognition from others, forfeits any true reward from God.
"“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." — The phrase "disfigure their faces" isn't about making themselves look intentionally ugly, but rather about concealing their natural appearance by not washing or anointing themselves, the normal sig…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
