Bible Strands
Matthew 6:18
so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, issuing this directive immediately after instructing them to anoint their heads and wash their faces when fasting.
The words — νηστεύων (nēsteuōn) denotes the act of fasting, while φανῇς (phanēas) means "may you appear," structuring the discipline as a deliberate concealment from public sight.
The thread — The text establishes a pattern of hidden devotion that recurs in Matthew 6:4 and Matthew 6:6, where secret giving and secret prayer receive the identical divine promise, and aligns with the principle in 2 Corinthians 10:18 that divine approval replaces human commendation.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to perform fasting without visible markers, demanding that the act remain strictly between the individual and God while rejecting public recognition as a motive.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
- Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
- 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- 1 Peter 1:7 so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”