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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But you fasting, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you fast, wash your face and comb your hair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When you go without food, wash your face and comb your hair, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />But you, fasting, anoint your head, and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But you fasting, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'But thou, fasting, anoint thy head, and wash thy face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou fasting, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But you, when you fast, wash your face and anoint your head;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But you whenever you fast, wash your face and anoint your head.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But do you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But thou, fasting, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But when thou keepest a fast, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but whenever you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But, <i>when</i> fasting, anoint your head, and wash your face,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/6-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1355" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Proper Fasting</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16</span>When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">when you</a> <a href="/greek/3522.htm" title="3522: nēsteuōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.">fast,</a> <a href="/greek/218.htm" title="218: aleipsai (V-AMM-2S) -- To anoint: festivally, in homage, medicinally, or in anointing the dead. To oil.">anoint</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalēn (N-AFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">head</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3538.htm" title="3538: nipsai (V-AMM-2S) -- To wash; mid. I wash my own (hands, etc.). To cleanse; ceremonially, to perform ablution.">wash</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/4383.htm" title="4383: prosōpon (N-ANS) -- From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.">face,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">18</span>so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a></span><br />to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-3.htm">Daniel 10:3</a></span><br />I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Ruth 3:3</a></span><br />Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">2 Samuel 12:20</a></span><br />Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a></span><br />Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a></span><br />You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Psalm 45:7</a></span><br />You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23-25</a></span><br />“Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half that amount (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, / 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. / Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-31.htm">Leviticus 16:31</a></span><br />It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a></span><br />So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2-7</a></span><br />“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. / Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-16.htm">1 Kings 19:16</a></span><br />You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-15.htm">2 Chronicles 28:15</a></span><br />Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/2-12.htm">Esther 2:12</a></span><br />In the twelve months before her turn to go to King Xerxes, the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months, and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;</p><p class="hdg">anoint.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Ruth 3:3</a></b></br> Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: <i>but</i> make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-2.htm">2 Samuel 14:2</a></b></br> And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a></b></br> Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Anoint</a> <a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Face</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/5-36.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/matthew/5-36.htm">Head</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-14.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-40.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Whenever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/14-8.htm">Anoint</a> <a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/matthew/6-18.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/matthew/6-18.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Food</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/matthew/8-20.htm">Head</a> <a href="/matthew/25-3.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/matthew/26-7.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/matthew/9-17.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/mark/14-37.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/matthew/10-19.htm">Whenever</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Giving to the Needy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">The Lord's Prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Proper Fasting</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Store up Treasures in Heaven</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Do Not Worry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">but seek God's kingdom.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But when you fast</b><br>Fasting is a spiritual discipline practiced throughout the Bible, often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. In the Jewish tradition, fasting was a common practice, especially on the Day of Atonement and other significant occasions. Jesus assumes that His followers will fast, indicating its importance in the life of a believer. This aligns with the practices of figures like Moses (<a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Exodus 34:28</a>) and Daniel (<a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3</a>), who fasted as a means of drawing closer to God. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food but is intended to focus the believer's attention on spiritual matters.<p><b>anoint your head</b><br>Anointing the head with oil was a customary practice in ancient Israel, often associated with joy, celebration, and personal grooming (<a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a>, <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a>). In this context, Jesus instructs His followers to maintain a normal appearance while fasting, contrasting with the hypocritical display of piety by the Pharisees, who would often neglect their appearance to show others they were fasting. This act of anointing symbolizes the inner joy and spiritual vitality that should accompany fasting, rather than outward displays of suffering.<p><b>and wash your face</b><br>Washing the face was a basic act of personal hygiene and cleanliness in the ancient world. Jesus emphasizes maintaining a normal, clean appearance during fasting, reinforcing the idea that fasting is a private matter between the individual and God, not a public display for human approval. This instruction aligns with the broader teaching of <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6</a>, where Jesus warns against practicing righteousness before others to be seen by them. The focus is on sincerity and authenticity in one's spiritual practices, reflecting a heart truly devoted to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which includes teachings on various aspects of righteous living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples_and_followers.htm">Disciples and Followers</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, including this instruction on fasting.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>The setting for this teaching, a significant discourse by Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sincerity_in_worship.htm">Sincerity in Worship</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincerity in fasting, contrasting it with the hypocritical practices of the Pharisees. True fasting should be a private act of devotion to God, not a public display for human approval.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/inner_transformation.htm">Inner Transformation</a></b><br>The act of anointing and washing symbolizes inner transformation and renewal. Fasting should lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God, not just an outward ritual.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/joyful_obedience.htm">Joyful Obedience</a></b><br>By instructing to anoint and wash, Jesus suggests that fasting should be done with a joyful heart, not with a gloomy appearance. Our obedience to God should be marked by joy and willingness, reflecting our trust in His provision and care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_god,_not_man.htm">Focus on God, Not Man</a></b><br>The instruction to maintain a normal appearance while fasting underscores the importance of focusing on God rather than seeking the approval or admiration of others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_they_exploit_widows.htm">What is the reward for fasting in secret?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_psalms_are_in_hallel.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'prayer and fasting'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_ash_wednesday_important.htm">What is the significance of Ash Wednesday?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_reward_for_secret_fasting.htm">What is the reward for fasting in secret?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Anoint thine head, and wash thy face.</span>--Both these acts were rigidly prohibited by the traditions of the Elders on the Day of Atonement, and by implication on other fast days also. They were the outward signs of joy (<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm" title="Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment.">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a>), and were therefore looked on as unsuitable for a time of mourning. The disciples of Christ were to hide their contrition and self-discipline, and even when the heart knew its own bitterness were to be blithe and cheerful, opening their griefs only to their Father in heaven.<p><span class= "bld">Openly.</span>--Here again the artificial antithesis is to be rejected as an interpolation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.</span> 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, it is safer to take it in this sense here. Thus our Lord will mean - so far from appearing sad, let your appearance be that of special joy and gladness. "By the symbols of joy and gladness he bade us be joyful and glad when we fast" (Photius, in Suicer, 1:186). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/6-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[when] you</span><br /><span class="grk">σὺ</span> <span class="translit">(sy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fast,</span><br /><span class="grk">νηστεύων</span> <span class="translit">(nēsteuōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3522.htm">Strong's 3522: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anoint</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄλειψαί</span> <span class="translit">(aleipsai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_218.htm">Strong's 218: </a> </span><span class="str2">To anoint: festivally, in homage, medicinally, or in anointing the dead. To oil.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">head</span><br /><span class="grk">κεφαλὴν</span> <span class="translit">(kephalēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">wash</span><br /><span class="grk">νίψαι</span> <span class="translit">(nipsai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3538.htm">Strong's 3538: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wash; mid. I wash my own (hands, etc.). To cleanse; ceremonially, to perform ablution.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">face,</span><br /><span class="grk">πρόσωπόν</span> <span class="translit">(prosōpon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4383.htm">Strong's 4383: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/6-17.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 6:17 But you when you fast anoint your (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 6:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/6-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 6:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>