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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 6:18 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/40_Mat_06_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 6:18 - Proper Fasting" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. 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And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. <a href="/esv/matthew/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. <a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> so that you might not appear to men as fasting, but to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward you. <a href="/kjv/matthew/6.htm">King James Bible</a> That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/6.htm">New King James Version</a> so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. <a href="/nasb/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. <a href="/lsb/matthew/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. <a href="/amp/matthew/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. <a href="/csb/matthew/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> so that you don&#8217t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. <a href="/asv/matthew/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/matthew/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then others won't know you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you. <a href="/erv/matthew/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall recompense thee. <a href="/gwt/matthew/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then your fasting won't be obvious. Instead, it will be obvious to your Father who is with you in private. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. <a href="/gnt/matthew/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> so that others cannot know that you are fasting--only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. <a href="/isv/matthew/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> so that your fasting will not be noticed by others but by your Father who is in the hidden place. And your Father who watches from the hidden place will reward you." <a href="/net/matthew/6.htm">NET Bible</a> so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. <a href="/nheb/matthew/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. <a href="/wbt/matthew/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> That thou mayest not appear to men to fast, but to thy Father, who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/web/matthew/6.htm">World English Bible</a> so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that you may not appear to men fasting, but to your Father who [is] in secret, and your Father, who is seeing in secret, will reward you. <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> so that you might not appear to men as fasting, but to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward you. <a href="/ylt/matthew/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that thou mayest not appear to men fasting, but to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father, who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly. <a href="/slt/matthew/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> That thou mightest not appear to men fasting, but to thy Father which in secret; and thy Father which in secret, will give back to thee openly.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. <a href="/nabre/matthew/6.htm">New American Bible</a> so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So that it may not appear to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret, he will reward you. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> So that you may not appear to the children of men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> that you may not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>in order that thou mayest not appear unto the people fasting, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> that thou mayest not make a shew of fasting to men, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> that your fasting may not be observed by men, but by your father, who is with you in your retirement, and your father who observes what you do in private, shall give you a reward. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. <a href="/worrell/matthew/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>that you appear not to men to be fasting, but to your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who seeth in secret will recompense you.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>that thou mayst not appear unto men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/6-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1359" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Proper Fasting</a> …17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18<a href="/greek/3704.htm" title="3704: hopōs (Conj) -- From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).">so that</a> <a href="/greek/3522.htm" title="3522: nēsteuōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.">your fasting</a> <a href="/greek/5316.htm" title="5316: phanēs (V-ASP-2S) -- Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.">will not be obvious</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpois (N-DMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">to men,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but only</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to</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/3962.htm" title="3962: Patri (N-DMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who is</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2927.htm" title="2927: kryphaiō (Adj-DNS) -- From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private.">unseen.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">sees</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what is done</a> <a href="/greek/2927.htm" title="2927: kryphaiō (Adj-DNS) -- From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private.">in secret,</a> <a href="/greek/591.htm" title="591: apodōsei (V-FIA-3S) -- From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.">will reward</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you.</a> 19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-4.htm">Matthew 6:4</a> so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Matthew 6:6</a> But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5</a> All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a> But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” <a href="/1_peter/3-4.htm">1 Peter 3:4</a> but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. <a href="/luke/18-10.htm">Luke 18:10-14</a> “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ ... <a href="/isaiah/58-5.htm">Isaiah 58:5-6</a> Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? / Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a> Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Proverbs 16:2</a> All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. <a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a> Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. <a href="/james/4-10.htm">James 4:10</a> Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27-29</a> When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.” <a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">2 Kings 19:1-2</a> On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a> “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. <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5-6</a> “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? / And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.appear.<a href="/2_corinthians/5-9.htm">2 Corinthians 5:9</a> Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.<a href="/2_corinthians/10-18.htm">2 Corinthians 10:18</a> For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.<a href="/colossians/3-22.htm">Colossians 3:22-24</a> Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: … shall.<a href="/matthew/6-4.htm">Matthew 6:4,6</a> That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly… <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6</a> Who will render to every man according to his deeds:<a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a> That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">Apparent</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/matthew/6-17.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/matthew/6-17.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Manifestly</a> <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">Obvious</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Render</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Unseen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/4-16.htm">Apparent</a> <a href="/matthew/10-17.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/john/7-10.htm">Manifestly</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Obvious</a> <a href="/mark/1-45.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/luke/6-36.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Render</a> <a href="/matthew/10-41.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/matthew/10-26.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/luke/11-44.htm">Unseen</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 6</div>1. <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Giving to the Needy</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">The Lord's Prayer</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Proper Fasting</a> 19. <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Store up Treasures in Heaven</a> 25. <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Do Not Worry</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">but seek God's kingdom.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>so that your fasting will not be obvious to men Fasting in biblical times was a common practice for spiritual devotion, often accompanied by prayer and repentance. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, fasting was sometimes used to display piety publicly. Jesus warns against this, emphasizing sincerity over showmanship. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the law, often fasted twice a week and made their fasting visible to others. This phrase underscores the importance of humility and the internalization of spiritual practices, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God valuing the heart's intentions over outward appearances (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>).but only to your Father, who is unseen This phrase highlights the intimate and personal relationship between the believer and God. The "unseen" nature of the Father contrasts with the visible acts of piety that some might perform for human approval. It reflects the theological understanding that God is omnipresent and omniscient, aware of all actions and intentions. This aligns with the teachings found in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, where God's knowledge of the individual is profound and all-encompassing. The emphasis is on the authenticity of one's faith and devotion, which should be directed towards God rather than human recognition.And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you The promise of divine reward for sincere devotion is a recurring theme in Scripture. This assurance is not necessarily of material or earthly rewards but of spiritual blessings and eternal significance. The concept of God seeing "what is done in secret" reinforces His omniscience and the idea that nothing is hidden from Him (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). This teaching encourages believers to focus on their relationship with God, trusting that He will honor their genuine acts of faith. The reward mentioned can be understood in light of the Beatitudes (<a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3-12</a>), where Jesus speaks of the blessings for those who live according to God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this passage, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which includes teachings on various aspects of righteous living. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> Refers to God, who is unseen and rewards those who seek Him in sincerity and humility. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, representing all believers who seek to follow His instructions. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a> The setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7, addressing the heart of the law and true righteousness. 5. <a href="/topical/f/fasting.htm">Fasting</a> A spiritual discipline involving abstaining from food (or other things) to focus on prayer and seeking God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/sincerity_in_worship.htm">Sincerity in Worship</a> True fasting is about seeking God with a sincere heart, not about gaining human approval. Our spiritual disciplines should be directed towards God, who sees and rewards what is done in secret. <a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a> God is unseen but fully aware of our actions and intentions. This should encourage us to live authentically before Him, knowing that He sees beyond outward appearances. <a href="/topical/p/private_devotion.htm">Private Devotion</a> The emphasis on secrecy in fasting teaches us the value of private devotion. Our relationship with God is personal, and our spiritual practices should reflect a genuine desire to connect with Him. <a href="/topical/r/reward_from_god.htm">Reward from God</a> The promise of reward from the Father encourages us to pursue spiritual disciplines with the right motives. God's rewards are eternal and far surpass any temporary human recognition. <a href="/topical/h/heart_over_ritual.htm">Heart Over Ritual</a> The focus is on the heart's posture rather than the ritual itself. Fasting, like other spiritual practices, should be an expression of our love and devotion to God, not a mere religious duty.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6</a> <a href="/q/how_to_give_without_recognition.htm">How can you give without seeking recognition?</a> <a href="/q/do_they_exploit_widows.htm">What is the reward for fasting in secret?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_prayer_and_fasting.htm">What does the Bible say about prayer and fasting?</a> <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/pulpit/matthew/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - Which is in secret (τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ); ver. 6, note. Shall reward thee openly (ver. 4, note). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/6-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>so that ὅπως (hopōs) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3704.htm">Strong's 3704: </a> From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual). [your] fasting νηστεύων (nēsteuōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3522.htm">Strong's 3522: </a> To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food. will not be obvious φανῇς (phanēs) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5316.htm">Strong's 5316: </a> Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show. to men, ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. but only ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. to τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father, Πατρί (Patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who [is] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. unseen. κρυφαίῳ (kryphaiō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2927.htm">Strong's 2927: </a> From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father, Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sees βλέπων (blepōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. what is done τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. in secret, κρυφαίῳ (kryphaiō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2927.htm">Strong's 2927: </a> From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. will reward ἀποδώσει (apodōsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_591.htm">Strong's 591: </a> From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc. you. σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/6-18.htm">Matthew 6:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/6-18.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 6:18 So that you are not seen (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/6-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 6:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 6:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:19" /></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>