Matthew 6:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fast in a way that conceals it rather than advertises it, looking refreshed instead of haggard.
What Does Matthew 6:17 Mean?
As with giving and prayer, Jesus gives the positive instruction that overturns the showy practice. To anoint the head and wash the face was the ordinary grooming of a normal day -- exactly what someone fasting for show would neglect.
The point is to keep the fast hidden, to carry it so naturally that no one would guess. Rather than parading the cost, the disciple goes about looking like any other day, the hunger known only to God. This quiet concealment guards the heart from pride and keeps the fast directed where it belongs -- toward the Father. Devotion that hides itself in the ordinary is freed from the corruption of applause and kept pure as an offering to God alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 6:17
What does Matthew 6:17 mean?
Fast in a way that conceals it rather than advertises it, looking refreshed instead of haggard.