• Matthew 6:16
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 16 Ὅταν Whenever δὲ but νηστεύητε, YOU may fast, μὴ not γίνεσθε be becoming ὡς as οἱ the ὑποκριταὶ hypocrites σκυθρωποί, sad-faced, ἀφανίζουσιν they disfigure γὰρ for τὰ the πρόσωπα faces αὐτῶν of them ὅπως so that φανῶσιν they might appear τοῖς to the ἀνθρώποις men νηστεύοντες· fasting; ἀμὴν amen λέγω I am saying ὑμῖν, to YOU, ἀπέχουσιν they have in full τὸν the μισθὸν reward αὐτῶν. of them.

  • Matthew 6:16
    The Bible in Living English

    • 16 “And when you are fasting do not be lugubrious like the hypocrites; for they make their faces unsightly so that it may be seen by men that they are fasting; I tell you verily, they have got their reward.

  • Matthew 6:16
    American Standard Version

    • 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
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 16 And when ye may be fasting become not ye as the hypocrites of sullen countenance,—for they darken their looks that they may appear unto men to be fasting: Verily I say unto you, they are getting back their reward.

  • Matthew 6:16
    King James Version

    • 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

  • Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 6
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 6:16

      fast: That is, abstain from food for a limited time. (See Glossary.) Jesus never commanded his disciples to fast, nor did he direct them to avoid the practice altogether. Under the Mosaic Law, rightly motivated Jews humbled themselves before Jehovah and showed repentance for sin by means of fasts.​—1Sa 7:6; 2Ch 20:3.

      they disfigure their faces: Or “they make their faces unattractive (unrecognizable).” People could have done this by not washing or grooming and by sprinkling or smearing ashes on their heads.