Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 6:16

"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward." — Matthew 6:16 (ASV)

Moreover when you fast. The word fast literally signifies to abstain from food and drink, whether from necessity or as a religious observance. It is, however, commonly applied in the Bible to the latter. It is, then, an expression of grief or sorrow. Such is the constitution of the body, that in a time of grief or sorrow we are not disposed to eat; or, we have no appetite.

The grief of the soul is so absorbing as to destroy the natural appetites of the body. Men in deep affliction eat little, and often pine away and fall into sickness, because the body refuses, on account of the deep sorrow of the mind, to discharge the functions of health.

Fasting, then, is the natural expression of grief. It is not arbitrary; it is what every person in sorrow naturally does. This is the foundation of its being applied to religion as a sacred rite. It is because the soul, when oppressed and burdened by a sense of sin, is so filled with grief, that the body refuses food.

It is, therefore, appropriated always to scenes of penitence, of godly sorrow, of suffering, and to those facts connected with religion that are fitted to produce grief, such as the prevalence of iniquity or some dark impending calamity, or storm, or tempest, pestilence, plague, or famine. It is also used to humble us, to bring us to reflection, to direct the thoughts away from the comforts of this world to the bliss of a better. It is not acceptable unless it is the real expression of sorrow, the natural effect of feeling that we are burdened with crime.

The Jews fasted often. They had four annual fasts: in commemoration of the capture of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:7); of the burning of the temple (Zechariah 7:3); in memory of the death of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4); and in memory of the commencement of the attack on Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:19). In addition to these, they had a multitude of occasional fasts. It was customary, also, for the Pharisees to fast twice a week (Luke 17:12).

Of a sad countenance. That is, sour, morose, assumed expressions of unfelt sorrow.

They disfigure their faces. That is, they do not anoint and wash themselves as usual; they are uncombed, filthy, squalid, and haggard. It is said that they were often in the habit of throwing ashes on their heads and faces, and this mixing with their tears seemed still further to disfigure their faces.

Such great pains will men take, and so much suffering will they undergo, and so much that is ridiculous will they assume, to impose on God and men. But they deceive neither. God sees through the flimsy veil. Human eyes can pierce a disguise so thin.

Hypocrites overact their part. Not having the genuine principles of piety at heart, they do not know its proper expression and therefore appear supremely contemptible and abominable. Never should men exhibit outwardly more than they feel, and never should they attempt to exhibit anything for the mere sake of ostentation.