Matthew 6:17

Matthew 6:17 is the seventeenth verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse continues the discussion of fasting.

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint

thine head, and wash thy face;

The World English Bible translates the passage as:

But you, when you fast, anoint

your head, and wash your face;

For a collection of other versions see BibRef Matthew 6:17

The previous verse attacked how the hypocrites made a show of fasting and made everyone around them aware of their pious suffering. In this verse Jesus councils his followers to hide any discomfort. Most scholars believe that anointing the head and washing the face were both considered parts of daily hygiene. Jesus teaches his followers to maintain an outer visage of cleanliness and hide any suffering they might be undergoing for their piety. Some feel that anointing was something only done on special occasions, such as feasts, and that Jesus is counseling dressing up when fasting. Hill, however, notes that this would be just as ostentatious as the exaggerated suffering of the hypocrites. ^[1]

Jesus is this verse assumes that his followers will continue to fast, though it does not command fasting. This contrasts somewhat with Matthew 9, where Jesus explains why fasting is no longer required. Paul also speaks out against the efficacy of fasting. In most Christian churches fasting no longer has a major role, though various forms of more limited deprivation, such as that of Lent, are practiced.

References

• Fowler, Harold. The Gospel of Matthew: Volume One. Joplin: College Press, 1968