Meaning of Matthew 6:16

Jesus, in this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, addresses the practice of fasting, a spiritual discipline common in Judaism. He contrasts the ostentatious, performative fasting of some religious leaders, whom he labels "hypocrites," with the sincere, God-focused intention of true discipleship. The emphasis is not on the act of fasting itself, but on the motive behind it. By "disfiguring their faces," these individuals sought to draw attention to their piety and suffering, expecting to be praised and honored by people for their apparent devotion. Jesus declares that their reward is solely temporal and human; they have already received all the recognition they will get from such outward displays. This teaching calls for an inward, genuine spirituality, where actions of devotion are directed towards God, not towards gaining human applause.

Context and Background

This verse is part of Jesus' discourse on righteous living, found within the larger Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Immediately preceding this teaching on fasting are instructions regarding almsgiving (Matthew 6:1-4) and prayer (Matthew 6:5-15). In both instances, Jesus critiques those who perform these acts publicly to be seen by others, contrasting them with sincere devotion done in secret. The practice of fasting was a recognized religious duty in ancient Israel, often observed on specific days of religious significance or as a personal expression of repentance, mourning, or seeking divine guidance. The Pharisees, in particular, were known for their frequent and visible fasts, which Jesus uses as an example of misdirected religious practice.

Key Themes and Messages

• Authenticity over Performance: The central message is the importance of genuine, heartfelt devotion over outward displays meant for human recognition. Jesus prioritizes the internal state of the heart over external actions designed to impress others.
• Motivation for Religious Practices: Jesus emphasizes that religious disciplines like fasting, prayer, and giving should be motivated by a desire to please God, not to gain the approval or admiration of fellow humans.
• The Nature of True Reward: Jesus distinguishes between earthly, superficial rewards (human praise) and eternal, divine rewards. Those who seek human applause receive it fully in the present, meaning they have no further reward from God.
• Discretion in Devotion: While not forbidding public acts of faith, Jesus advocates for a degree of discretion in devotional practices that are primarily between an individual and God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse challenges believers to examine the underlying motivations for their spiritual disciplines. When fasting, praying, or engaging in acts of charity, the question to ask is: "Am I doing this to be seen by others, or to draw closer to God?" The spiritual significance lies in cultivating a personal relationship with God that is not dependent on external validation. Applying this principle means that when we fast, we should do so with a humble heart, focusing on spiritual discipline and communion with God, rather than seeking to elicit sympathy or admiration from others. This fosters a deeper, more intimate connection with the divine.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Jesus' teaching here aligns with the Old Testament prophetic emphasis on the heart. Prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 58:3-7) decried fasting that was merely external, devoid of genuine righteousness and compassion. God desired a "fast" that involved loosening the chains of injustice, feeding the hungry, and caring for the needy. Jesus echoes this sentiment, showing that true spirituality is characterized by an inner transformation that naturally overflows into acts of love and justice, not by a performance designed to garner praise. This teaching is part of Jesus' broader call to a higher righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a student studying for an exam. If the student studies diligently solely to impress their teacher and receive accolades for their effort, their focus is on external validation. However, if the student studies to truly understand the material and master the subject, their motivation is internal and leads to genuine knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the subject matter. Another analogy is that of a musician practicing scales and exercises. If the musician does so only when an audience is present to applaud their effort, their practice is superficial. But if they practice diligently in private to improve their skill and express their passion for music, their growth is genuine and their performance, when it occurs, will be richer.

Relation to Other Verses

This teaching on fasting is directly paralleally to Jesus' instructions on almsgiving and prayer in the same chapter. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus states, "When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Similarly, in Matthew 6:5-6, he says, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others... But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." These verses collectively form a trilogy of Jesus' teaching on the proper attitude and practice of core devotional disciplines, all emphasizing inward sincerity and God-centered motivation. The concept of receiving one's reward "in full" also appears in Matthew 6:2 and Matthew 6:5, reinforcing the idea that seeking human praise exhausts the potential for any divine recompense.