Matthew 6:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew only. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

The manner of fasting. As, of the three specific admonitions regarding our personal religious exercises, the first on "the manner of almsgiving ," and the second on " the manner of praying ," have had their gracious treatment; so now the third follows, on " the manner of fasting. " We have not here any express injunction to fast, nor had we any to give alms or to pray. In each case the prefatory words are in the same form, "when thou doest thine alms;" "when thou prayest;" and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting. This is nowhere in the gospel enjoined as a duty. It is, like the profession of the Nazarite, left to individual freedom. The service of freedom is the service of love (cf. Luke 2:37 ; Acts 10:30 ; Acts 13:3 ). The spirit of the fast is in the heart (cf. Psalms 35:13 ; Isaiah 58:5-7 ). The usefulness of fasting is recognized in the directions here given as to the manner of its use. It is useful as a means to dispose us to the fulfilment of duties enjoined. Note— I. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:16

Moreover, when ye fast - The word “fast” literally signifies to abstain from food and drink, whether from necessity or as a religious observance. It is, however, commonly applied in the Bible to the latter. It is, then, an expression of grief or sorrow. Such is the constitution of the body, that in a time of grief or sorrow we are not disposed to eat; or, we have no appetite. The grief of the “soul” is so absorbing as to destroy the natural appetites of the “body.” People in deep affliction eat... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 6:16-18

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, assume a sad countenance; a dejected, austere, and mortified look, such as false devotees affect, who make piety to consist in outward show, rather than in true goodness. For they disfigure their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

41. Giving, praying and fasting (Matthew 6:1-18; Luke 11:1-4)If the followers of Jesus give help to the needy with the aim of winning people’s praise, their giving is of no value in God’s sight. They will have their reward in the praise they seek, but will miss out on any reward from God. They should keep matters of giving secret from even their closest friends (Matthew 6:1-4).Prayer also is a private matter. Believers do not need to make a show of prayerful zeal, as if their heavenly Father... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 6:16

AS TO FASTING. be = becorne. disfigure . . . appear. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), aphanizousin . . . phanosin. appear. App-106 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 6:16

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily,, I say unto you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.Fasting, like prayer and alms-giving, is clearly indicated as a Christian duty, but is delimited by... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 6:16

Matthew 6:16. Moreover, when ye fast, &c.— Our Lord goes on to apply the general advice, before given, to private fasting as well as to private prayer. The Greek word σκυθρωπος properly denotes a fretful and angry countenance; but here it signifies a "face disfigured with mortification and fasting." The LXX have used the same word, Gen 40:7 to express a sad countenance. See also Proverbs 15:13. This word, as well as 'Υποκριται, hypocrites, refers to the theatre, and to those actors and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:16

16. Moreover, when ye fast—referring, probably, to private and voluntary fasting, which was to be regulated by each individual for himself; though in spirit it would apply to any fast. be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces—literally, "make unseen"; very well rendered "disfigure." They went about with a slovenly appearance, and ashes sprinkled on their head. that they may appear unto men to fast—It was not the deed, but reputation for the deed which they... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 6:16-18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 6:16

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 6:16

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 6:16

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:16

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