Matthew 6:17
Encyclopedia
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:
The World English Bible
translates the passage as:
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.
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.
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
and is part of the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
. This verse continues the discussion of fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
.
In the King James Version of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
the text reads:
- But thou, when thou fastest, anoint
- thine head, and wash thy face;
The World English Bible
World English Bible
The World English Bible is a public domain translation of the Bible that is currently in draft form. Work on the World English Bible began in 1997 and was known as the American Standard Version 1997...
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
Hygiene
Hygiene refers to the set of practices perceived by a community to be associated with the preservation of health and healthy living. While in modern medical sciences there is a set of standards of hygiene recommended for different situations, what is considered hygienic or not can vary between...
. 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.
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
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
, are practiced.