Teaching on Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
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Matt.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οταν: CONJ,sub
- δε: CONJ
- νηστευητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- μη: PART
- γινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,2,pl
- ως: ADV
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υποκριται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σκυθρωποι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αφανιζουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- τα: ART,acc,pl,neut
- προσωπα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,c
- οπως: CONJ
- φανωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- νηστευοντες·αμην: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- απεχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,c
Parallels
- Matthew 6:1 (structural): Opens the section on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting with the general injunction not to practice righteousness 'to be seen by men,' framing the same concern about motives and public display found in 6:16.
- Matthew 6:2 (thematic): On almsgiving Jesus warns against public show ('do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing'), echoing the theme of avoiding ostentatious piety that receives human praise rather than heavenly reward.
- Matthew 6:5 (verbal): Uses parallel language and structure ('do not be like the hypocrites') to condemn performing prayer for public admiration; closely parallels the admonition about fasting in 6:16.
- Luke 18:9-14 (thematic): The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector contrasts self‑righteous, public religiosity (the Pharisee who boasts of fasting) with humble true repentance, critiquing the same hypocritical fasting motif.
- Isaiah 58:3-7 (allusion): The prophetic critique condemns outward fasting accompanied by injustice and empty lip service, emphasizing that true fasting is ethical and hidden — a thematic precursor to Jesus' warning against showy fasts.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
- And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
Matt.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- δε: CONJ
- νηστευων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αλειψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- νιψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 6:16 (structural): Immediate context: Jesus contrasts hypocritical, disfiguring fasting with the private fast—verse 17 gives the corrective action (anoint head, wash face).
- Matthew 6:1-4 (structural): Broader Sermon on the Mount theme warning against doing acts of piety to be seen by others (giving, prayer, fasting); same teaching principle of avoiding ostentation in religious practice.
- Isaiah 58:3-7 (thematic): Prophetic critique of empty/outward fasting and emphasis on true righteousness—resonates with Jesus' rejection of external displays and insistence on the right spirit of fasting.
- Matthew 23:5 (thematic): Jesus' denunciation of Pharisaic displays (making phylacteries broad, long fringes) parallels the rebuke of ostentatious piety underlying the instruction to anoint and wash when fasting.
- Luke 5:33-35 (thematic): Discussion of fasting practices (John's disciples and the Pharisees) complements Matthew's instructions about the proper attitude and manner of fasting rather than public show.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
- But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
Matt.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οπως: CONJ
- μη: PART
- φανης: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- νηστευων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πατρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρυφαιω·και: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βλεπων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρυφαιω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- αποδωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 6:1-4 (structural): Same teaching pattern about performing pious acts (giving) without seeking human approval; warns that the Father—not people—is the source of reward.
- Matthew 6:6 (verbal): Nearly identical promise—'your Father who is in secret will reward you'—in the teaching about praying in private; parallels form and reward language.
- Matthew 6:16-17 (verbal): Immediate context on fasting: instructs believers not to display fasting outwardly and to avoid showy signs—same command and motive-language continued into v.18.
- Luke 18:9-14 (thematic): Parable contrasts public, self‑righteous displays of piety with humble, sincere devotion before God—echoes the prohibition against ostentatious fasting.
- Isaiah 58:3-7 (allusion): Critiques hypocritical fasting and describes true fasting as ethical deeds and secrecy/humility before God—thematically parallels Jesus' concern for genuine motives behind fasting.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that you may not be seen by others as fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
- so that you do not appear to others to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.