Matthew 6:16-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

We are here cautioned against hypocrisy in fasting, as before in almsgiving, and in prayer. I. It is here supposed that religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, when God, in his providence, calls to it, and when the case of their own souls upon any account requires it; when the bridegroom is taken away, then shall they fast, Matt. 9:15. Fasting is here put last, because it is not so much a duty for its own sake, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Prayer comes in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:19-24

Worldly-mindedness is as common and as fatal a symptom of hypocrisy as any other, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a visible and passable profession of religion, than by this; and therefore Christ, having warned us against coveting the praise of men, proceeds next to warn us against coveting the wealth of the world; in this also we must take heed, lest we be as the hypocrites are, and do as they do: the fundamental error that they are guilty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:1-18

When we study the opening verses of Matthew 6:1-34 , we are immediately confronted with one most important question-- What is the place of the reward motive in the Christian life? Three times in this section Jesus speaks of God rewarding those who have given to him the kind of service which he desires ( Matthew 6:4 ,; Matthew 6:18 ). This question is so important that we will do well to pause to examine it before we go on to study the chapter in detail. It is very often stated that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:19-21

6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth. where moth and rust destroy them, and where thieves dig through and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy them, and where thieves do not dig through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In the ordinary, everyday management of life it is simple wisdom to get to oneself only those things which will last. Whether we are buying a suit of clothes, or a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:19-21

The Jews were very familiar with the phrase treasure in heaven. They identified such treasure with two things in particular. (i) They said that the deeds of kindness which a man did upon earth became his treasure in heaven. The Jews had a famous story about a certain King Monobaz of Adiabdne who became a convert to Judaism. "Monobaz distributed all his treasures to the poor in the year of famine. His brothers sent to him and said, 'Thy fathers gathered treasures, and added to those of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:16

Moreover when ye fast ,.... This is to be understood, not so much of their public stated fasts, and which were by divine appointment, as of their private fasts; which, with the Jews, were very frequent and numerous, and particularly every Monday and Thursday; see Luke 18:12 in which they affected great severity, and is here condemned by Christ: be not as the hypocrites , the Scribes and Pharisees, of a sad countenance ; who put on very mournful airs, and dismal looks; made wry... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest ,.... Christ allows of fasting, but what is of a quite different kind from that of the Jews; which lay not in an outward abstinence from food, and other conveniences of life, and refreshments of nature; but in an abstinence from sin, in acknowledgment and confession of it; and in the exercise of faith and hope in God, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin; wherefore cheerfulness, and a free use of the creatures, without an abuse of them, best became... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:18

That thou appear not unto men to fast ,.... Which is just the reverse of the hypocrites, the Scribes and Pharisees; and quite contrary to the customs of the Jews, who when they fasted, particularly on their noted fasts F12 Misn. Taanith, c. 2. sect. 1. , "brought out the ark into the street of the city, and put burnt ashes upon it, and upon the head of the prince, and upon the head of the president of the sanhedrim, and every man upon his own head.' All which was done, to be seen... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:19

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ,.... Meaning either treasures that are of an earthly nature and kind, the more valuable and excellent things of the earth, worldly wealth and riches; or the things and places, in which these are laid up, as bags, chests, or coffers, barns and other treasuries, private or public. Christ here dissuades from covetousness, and worldly mindedness; an anxious care and concern, to hoard up plenty of worldly things for themselves, for time to come,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven ,.... That is, either be concerned for, and seek after heavenly treasure, the riches of glory, the joys and glories of another world, which infinitely excel everything that is valuable on earth; and which can never be corrupted, or taken away: or rather, lay up your earthly treasures in heaven; that is, put them into the hands of God in heaven; and this is done, by liberally communicating to the poor; by which means men "provide themselves bags... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:19-24

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:1-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:19-21

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:19-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:20

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