Matthew 6:16-17

Proper Fasting

6:16 “When ¹  you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive ²  so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, ³  they have their reward. 6:17 When ⁴  you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

[6:16]  ¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[6:16]  ² tn Here the term “disfigure” used in a number of translations was not used because it could convey to the modern reader the notion of mutilation. L&N 79.17 states, “‘to make unsightly, to disfigure, to make ugly.’ ἀφανίζουσιν γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ‘for they make their faces unsightly’ Mt 6:16.”

[6:16]  ³ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[6:17]  ⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.