Matthew 6:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

The third part of the sermon: the danger of unreality. I. THE FIRST EXAMPLE : ALMSGIVING . 1. The spiritual estimate of actions. The Christian's righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. They did their righteousness, their good works, before men, to be seen of them. It must not be so with us. Indeed, we are bidden to let our light shine before men. A holy life hath a persuasive eloquence, more persuasive far than holy words; it must not be hidden; its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

Sermon on the mount: 4. Ostentatious religion. After indicating the righteousness which admits to the kingdom of heaven, our Lord proceeds to warn against a flaw that vitiates the goodness of many religious people, and to illustrate it in connection with three chief characteristics of the religious life of those days—alms-giving, prayer, and fasting. I. ALMSGIVING has been recognized as one of the first duties by most religions. Under the Jewish Law the poor were well provided for. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16

Fasting. The third in the series of recognized religious duties ( Matthew 6:1 , note). (On the prominence given to fasting, see 'Psalms of Solomon,' 3:9, with Ryle's and James's note, and Schurer, II . 2:118; cf. Matthew 9:14 .) Observe read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16

The moral influence of fasting. The three expressions of the religious life introduced here—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—are not treated as duties which we are bound to fulfil, but as things to which we are inwardly impelled by the movements of that religious life. Fasting especially is a personal resolve rather than a prescribed duty—helpful and useful, if a man thus voluntarily brings his body into self-restraint; a snare if, without a man's will, it is done in order to gain merit.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew only. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face. If both these were, among the Jews, done daily, Christ's command would mean—make no external sign of fasting; dress and appear as usual. But as anointing, at least, cannot be proved to have been a daily habit (though expressly forbidden during the stricter kinds of fasts, see Schurer, II . 2.212), especially with the mixed classes whom our Lord was addressing, and as it was with the ancients rather a symbol of special joy,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:18

Which is in secret ( τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ ); Matthew 6:6 , note. Shall reward thee openly ( Matthew 6:4 , note). 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

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