John Gill Commentary Matthew 6:18

"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 6:18 (ASV)

That you appear not unto men to fast
Which is just the reverse of the hypocrites, the Scribes and Pharisees; and quite contrary to the customs of the Jews, who when they fasted, particularly on their noted fasts ^F12 , brought out the ark into the street of the city, and put burnt ashes upon it, and upon the head of the prince, and upon the head of the president of the sanhedrim, and every man upon his own head.'' All which was done, to be seen of men to fast; but Christ directs to such sorts of fasting, and which is to be done in such a manner, as only to be seen by God:

but unto your Father which is in secret ;
who is invisible, and who sees what is done in secret, and takes notice of the internal exercise of grace; which he approves of, and prefers to outward fastings; and your Father which sees in secret, shall reward you openly :
and to have honour from God, is infinitely more than to have the applause of men; for as God delights in, so he will reward his own grace with glory.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: Misn. Taanith, c. 2. sect. 1.