Focused Passage

Matthew 6:16-18

Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom

Matthew moves from warning against visible-for-applause righteousness, to hidden giving, prayer, and fasting before the Father, to undivided treasure and service, and finally to freedom from anxiety through seeking first the kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

16 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.

17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

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.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 16

Cross-references

Isaiah 58:3 Classic cross-references Matthew 9:14 Classic cross-references Hebrews 11:6 Classic cross-references Nehemiah 1:4 Classic cross-references Daniel 9:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

- δὲ G1161 Conjunction When Ὅταν G3752 Conjunction you fast νηστεύητε G3522 Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural [do] not μὴ G3361 Adverb be γίνεσθε G1096 Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural somber σκυθρωποί G4659 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural like ὡς G5613 Adverb the οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural hypocrites ὑποκριταὶ G5273 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural for γὰρ G1063 Conjunction they disfigure ἀφανίζουσιν G853 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural - τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural their αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural faces πρόσωπα G4383 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural vvv ὅπως G3704 Conjunction to show φανῶσιν G5316 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Plural - τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural men ἀνθρώποις G444 Noun - Dative Masculine Plural they are fasting νηστεύοντες G3522 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Truly ἀμὴν G281 Hebrew Word I tell λέγω G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural they already have ἀπέχουσιν G568 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular their αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural full reward μισθὸν G3408 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular

Verse 17

Cross-references

Ruth 3:3 Classic cross-references Ecclesiastes 9:8 Classic cross-references 2 Samuel 12:20 Classic cross-references Daniel 10:2 Classic cross-references Daniel 10:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

But δὲ G1161 Conjunction [when] you σὺ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular fast νηστεύων G3522 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular anoint ἄλειψαί G218 Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular - τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular head κεφαλὴν G2776 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction wash νίψαι G3538 Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular - τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular face πρόσωπόν G4383 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular

Verse 18

Cross-references

Matthew 6:6 Classic cross-references Matthew 6:4 Classic cross-references 2 Chronicles 15:7 Classic cross-references 2 Corinthians 10:18 Classic cross-references Mark 2:18 Classic cross-references

Original words

so that ὅπως G3704 Conjunction [your] fasting νηστεύων G3522 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular will not be obvious φανῇς G5316 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Singular . . . μὴ G3361 Adverb - τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural to men ἀνθρώποις G444 Noun - Dative Masculine Plural but only ἀλλὰ G235 Conjunction to τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Father Πατρί G3962 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular who [is] τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular vvv ἐν G1722 Preposition vvv τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Neuter Singular unseen κρυφαίῳ G2927 Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular And καὶ G2532 Conjunction - ὁ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Father Πατήρ G3962 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular who ὁ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular sees βλέπων G991 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ἐν G1722 Preposition what is done τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Neuter Singular in secret κρυφαίῳ G2927 Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular will reward ἀποδώσει G591 Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular you σοι G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular

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