Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 6:17-18

"But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee." — Matthew 6:17-18 (ASV)

Use diligence to conceal what it would be foolish to parade. Do not neglect any outward act of personal cleanliness or adornment, “anoint thine head, and wash thy face.” If your fasting is to God, keep it for Him. Act in seasons of extraordinary devotion as you do at other times, so that those with whom you come in contact may not know what special devotion you are practicing.

You may fast, and that fasting may be discovered, but let it be no intent of yours that you should “appear unto men to fast.” Fast from vainglory, ambition, pride, and self-glorification. Fast in secret before the Seer of secrets. Secret fasting shall have an open reward from the Lord, but that which is done out of mere ostentation shall never be reckoned in the books of the Lord.

Thus our King has taught us both how to give alms, how to pray, and how to fast, and He will now proceed to legislate for the concerns of daily life.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

May God give us that modest, unselfish spirit which lives to him, and does not want to walk in the sham light of human esteem!

What does it matter, after all, what people think of us? The hypocrite proudly boasts if he wins a little praise from others, but what is it except so much wind? If everyone should speak well of us, all that we would gain would be this: Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face: That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Yet I have heard people speak of certain emaciated ecclesiastics as being such wonderfully holy men. "How they must have fasted! They look like it. You can see it in their faces." That appearance is much more likely produced by a fault in their digestion than by anything else. And if not—if we are to suppose that a person's spareness is to be the token of his holiness—then the living skeleton was a saint to perfection.

But we are not beguiled by such follies as these. The Christian fasts, but takes care that no one knows it. He wears no ring or token, even when his heart is heavy.

Very often he puts on a cheerful air, so that he does not communicate unnecessary sorrow to others. He will be cheerful and happy, apparently, in the midst of company to prevent them from being sad, for it is enough for him to be sad himself, and sad before his Father's face.