How to Use This Commentary
Matthew 6:16–18 completes Jesus’ teaching on practicing righteousness before the Father—covering giving, prayer, and now fasting.
Read it in two movements: (1) the danger of hypocritical fasting, and (2) the call to sincere, God-centered fasting.
Key: Fasting is not about appearing spiritual—it is about seeking God.
You can deny yourself… and still be full of yourself.
You can skip meals…
look serious…
appear deeply spiritual…
👉 and still miss God entirely.
That’s what Jesus confronts here.
Not fasting itself—
but fasting for attention.
👉 Turning devotion into performance.
A Quick Look: Matthew 6:16–18
Big idea: True fasting is done for God, not for public recognition.
Why this matters: Even spiritual disciplines can become self-centered if our motives are wrong.
Key truth: God rewards what is done in secret, not what is displayed for others.
Bottom line: Fasting is not about being seen—it is about seeking the Father.
A Simple Explanation (Matthew 6:16–18)
“When you fast…” (v.16)
Jesus assumes fasting will happen.
Meaning: Fasting is a normal, though not commanded, spiritual practice.
Application: There are seasons where denying yourself helps you seek God.
“Do not look gloomy…”
Jesus exposes hypocrisy.
Meaning: Some people made fasting obvious to gain attention.
Application: Don’t turn devotion into a performance.
“They have their reward…”
Jesus gives the result.
Meaning: Human attention is the only reward they receive.
Application: If you fast for others, that’s all you get.
“Anoint your head and wash your face…” (v.17)
Jesus gives a contrast.
Meaning: Maintain normal appearance.
Application: Don’t draw attention to your sacrifice.
“Your Father who sees in secret…” (v.18)
This reveals God’s role.
Meaning: God sees what others don’t.
Application: Live for God’s reward, not people’s praise.
Bridge: Like giving and prayer, fasting is about motive—not just action.
👉 For more on prayer (the section right before this), see:
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
👉 Explore all Matthew resources here:
Matthew Hub
A Deeper Dive: Fasting That Seeks God
1) The Third Spiritual Practice
Jesus addresses three acts of righteousness: giving (6:1–4), prayer (6:5–15), and fasting (6:16–18).
In all three, the issue is the same:
👉 Are you doing this for God—or for people?
2) What Is Fasting?
Biblically, fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.
Key insight: Fasting has no value in itself—it only has value when connected to seeking God.
3) Fasting Is Not Commanded—But Expected
Jesus says “when you fast,” not “if.”
Insight: Fasting is assumed in the life of a disciple, but not required or ritualized.
4) The Danger: Performative Fasting
The Pharisees made fasting visible:
- Gloomy expressions
- Disheveled appearance
- Public visibility
👉 Their goal was attention, not devotion.
Insight: When the heart is wrong, fasting becomes a spiritual performance.
5) The Reward Principle (Again)
Jesus repeats a familiar warning:
👉 “They have their reward in full.”
Insight: Public recognition replaces eternal reward.
6) The Right Approach: Normal Appearance
Jesus commands:
- Anoint your head
- Wash your face
👉 In other words: look normal.
Insight: True fasting avoids drawing attention—even subtly.
7) The Purpose of Fasting
Scripture shows fasting connected to:
- Grief and mourning
- Repentance
- Seeking guidance
- Intense prayer
- Dependence on God
Insight: Fasting is not about gaining power—it is about expressing dependence.
8) Fasting Always Accompanies Prayer
You can pray without fasting—but you cannot fast biblically without prayer.
Insight: Fasting intensifies prayer—it does not replace it.
9) Fasting and the Heart
God rejects fasting that is disconnected from obedience.
The prophets made this clear:
👉 External fasting without internal repentance is meaningless.
Insight: God cares more about a surrendered heart than a starving body.
10) The Father Who Sees
Once again, Jesus emphasizes:
👉 “Your Father who sees in secret”
Insight: God sees motives, not just actions—and He rewards accordingly.
11) The Gospel Connection
Fasting exposes something deep:
👉 We want recognition—even in our sacrifice.
But in Christ:
- You are already seen by the Father
- You are already accepted
- You don’t need to prove your devotion
Jesus fasted perfectly—not for attention, but in obedience.
And through Him:
- Your motives are forgiven
- Your heart is reshaped
- Your devotion becomes genuine
- Fasting is a voluntary spiritual discipline
- Its value comes from seeking God, not denying food
- Hypocritical fasting seeks attention
- True fasting avoids recognition
- Fasting intensifies prayer and dependence
- God rewards what is done in secret
Bottom Line (Matthew 6:16–18)
Fasting is not about being noticed—it is about seeking the Father with sincerity, humility, and dependence.
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