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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 6:16 - 6:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_6:16-18
16Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18so 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.
Mat_6:16-18 These are additional examples of religious exhibitionism. See hyperlink at Mat_6:2.
Mat_6:16 "fast" There was only one fast specifically mentioned in the OT, the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16), which was observed in the seventh month. The Jewish leaders appointed additional fast days to remember specific times of stress in Israel's national history (cf. Zec_7:3-5; Zec_8:19).
In addition, the rabbis increased the times of fasting to twice a week, on Monday and Thursday (Luk_18:12); Thursday because that was the day when they said Moses went up on Mt. Sinai and Monday because that was the day when he came down. They used these fasts as a means to flaunt their spirituality.
hyperlink
▣ "gloomy face" This term occurs only here and Luk_24:17.
▣ "Truly" See Special Topic at Mat_5:18.
Mat_6:17 This is the same truth as Mat_6:6. The context is religious exhibitionism. Our spiritual lives are to be seen primarily by God! We seek His approval, not the approval of men.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did Jesus choose these three areas of abuse (almsgiving, prayer, and fasting) to condemn?
2. What areas do we use in our day in the same way?
3. Why is one's attitude more important than one's actions?
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Mat_6:19-24
A. The truths of this section are repeated in the Gospel of Luke, but in different settings.
1. humans must store up treasure in heaven (Luk_12:33-34)
2. the eye is the lamp of the body (Luk_11:34-36)
3. humans cannot serve two masters (Luk_16:13)
4. God's provision for nature serves as an example of God's provision for people (Luk_12:22-31)
Jesus repeated His teachings for different groups and used the same analogies in different settings.
B. Jesus used nature to teach about God: (1) all things belong to God and (2) humans are more important than things or animals.
C. This section must be understood not in literal terms, but in contrasts. Earthly possessions are not evil, but the misplaced priority of material things can be evil (cf. 1Ti_6:10). Mankind's undue anxiety about the normal needs of life shows a lack of faith in the care and provision of God (cf. Php_4:6). Trust is the key issue.
D. This section of Scripture can be broken into three related contexts: (1) Mat_6:19-21; (2) Mat_6:22-24; and (3) Mat_6:25-34. This is similar to what the rabbis call "pearls on a string," which meant several unrelated subjects are dealt with in close proximity.