Matthew 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.
Original Language Analysis
Ὅταν
when
G3752
Ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
1 of 27
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γίνεσθε
be
G1096
γίνεσθε
be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 27
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑποκριταὶ
the hypocrites
G5273
ὑποκριταὶ
the hypocrites
Strong's:
G5273
Word #:
8 of 27
an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"
σκυθρωποί
of a sad countenance
G4659
σκυθρωποί
of a sad countenance
Strong's:
G4659
Word #:
9 of 27
angry-visaged, i.e., gloomy or affecting a mournful appearance
ἀφανίζουσιν
they disfigure
G853
ἀφανίζουσιν
they disfigure
Strong's:
G853
Word #:
10 of 27
to render unapparent, i.e., (actively) consume (becloud), or (passively) disappear (be destroyed)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόσωπα
faces
G4383
πρόσωπα
faces
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
13 of 27
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
15 of 27
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
φανῶσιν
they may appear
G5316
φανῶσιν
they may appear
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
16 of 27
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
ἀπέχουσιν
They have
G568
ἀπέχουσιν
They have
Strong's:
G568
Word #:
24 of 27
(actively) to have out, i.e., receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e., be distant (literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Nehemiah 1:4And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,Luke 18:12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.Daniel 9:3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:Psalms 35:13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.Psalms 69:10When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.Mark 2:18And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Matthew 6:2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.Matthew 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.2 Samuel 12:16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
Historical Context
Pharisees fasted twice weekly (Luke 18:12), often Monday and Thursday when markets were busiest, ensuring maximum audience. Disfigurement included unwashed faces, disheveled hair, and ashes—visible markers of 'spirituality' that garnered social status but masked pride.
Questions for Reflection
- How can spiritual disciplines like fasting be practiced for God's glory rather than cultivating reputation for piety?
- What does Jesus' consistent condemnation of hypocritical displays reveal about God's priorities in evaluating religious practice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus condemns hypocrites who 'disfigure their faces' during fasting to advertise their piety. The Greek 'aphanizo' (disfigure/make unrecognizable) suggests deliberate effort to appear haggard and spiritual. Their goal was not communion with God but human admiration. Like almsgiving and prayer, fasting's value depends entirely on motive. When done 'to be seen of men, they have their reward'—present human approval exhausts their compensation from God.