Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

But {G1161} thou {G4771}, when thou fastest {G3522}, anoint {G218} thine {G4675} head {G2776}, and {G2532} wash {G3538} thy {G4675} face {G4383};

But you, when you fast, wash your face and groom yourself,

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

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;

Commentary

Matthew 6:17 is part of Jesus' profound teaching on spiritual disciplines within the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Christ provides specific instructions on how His followers should conduct themselves when fasting, contrasting their practice with the ostentatious displays of the hypocrites.

Context

This verse follows directly from Jesus' condemnation of those who fast "to be seen of men" in Matthew 6:16. It belongs to a larger section (Matthew 6:1-18) where Jesus addresses three pillars of Jewish piety: giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. In each case, He emphasizes the importance of proper motive and discretion. The core message is that true righteousness is performed for God's eyes, not for human applause. Just as He taught about giving alms in secret (Matthew 6:2-4) and praying in one's closet (Matthew 6:5-6), so too should fasting be a private act between the individual and God.

Key Themes

  • Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy: The primary theme is the call to genuine devotion over outward show. Jesus warns against the "hypocrites" (Greek: hypokritฤ“s, meaning "actor" or "one who wears a mask") who perform religious acts for public recognition.
  • Private Piety: Fasting, like prayer and giving, is presented as an intimate spiritual discipline intended for God's eyes alone. The instruction to "anoint thine head, and wash thy face" means to maintain a normal, well-groomed appearance, avoiding any visual cues that one is fasting.
  • Motive Matters: The verse underscores that the value of a spiritual act is determined by the heart's intention. Seeking human praise negates the spiritual reward from God.
  • God's Approval: The ultimate goal of spiritual disciplines should be to please God, who "seeth in secret" (Matthew 6:18), rather than to gain social standing or admiration.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "anoint thine head, and wash thy face" refers to common daily hygiene practices in ancient Jewish culture, not special ceremonial acts. Anointing the head with oil was a routine part of personal grooming, providing comfort and a pleasant appearance, especially in a warm climate. Washing the face was likewise a basic act of cleanliness. By instructing His disciples to do these things while fasting, Jesus is telling them to act completely normal, to blend in, and to give no indication to others that they are undergoing a period of self-denial. This stands in stark contrast to the "dismal countenance" of the hypocrites mentioned in the preceding verse.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:17 challenges believers to examine their motives in all spiritual practices. It teaches that:

  • Authenticity is Key: Our acts of worship, service, and self-discipline should flow from a genuine desire to honor God, not to impress others or enhance our own reputation.
  • Private Devotion is Valued: There is immense spiritual power and intimacy in seeking God in secret, away from the gaze of the world. These hidden acts of faith build a deeper relationship with the Father.
  • Humility in Practice: True piety does not draw attention to itself. Instead, it embodies a humble spirit that seeks God's approval above all else, recognizing that He alone truly sees and rewards. This principle extends beyond fasting to all aspects of Christian life, encouraging us to live out our faith consistently and sincerely, whether in public or in private.

Reflection

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that true spirituality is an inward reality, not an outward performance. Jesus calls His followers to a profound sincerity, where their devotion is primarily directed towards God, "who seeth in secret." In a world often driven by appearances, Matthew 6:17 urges us to cultivate a heart that seeks God's pleasure above all human praise, finding our reward in His unseen approval.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ruth 3:3

    Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:8

    Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

  • 2 Samuel 12:20

    Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

  • Daniel 10:2

    In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

  • Daniel 10:3

    I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

  • 2 Samuel 14:2

    And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
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