Matthew 6:16-18 The appearance of fast food disappearing

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KJV: 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.

Greek: οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ωσπερ ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν οτι απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων

Latin: cum autem ieiunatis nolite fieri sicut hypocritae tristes demoliuntur enim facies suas ut pareant hominibus ieiunantes amen dico vobis quia receperunt mercedem suam

Matthew 6:17

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KJV: But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Greek: συ δε νηστευων αλειψαι σου την κεφαλην και το προσωπον σου νιψαι

Matthew 6:18

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KJV: 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.

Greek: οπως μη φανης τοις ανθρωποις νηστευων αλλα τω πατρι σου τω εν τω κρυπτω κρυφαιω και ο πατηρ σου ο βλεπων εν τω κρυπτω κρυφαιω αποδωσει σοι εν τω φανερω

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]

6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [kjv]

6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [kjv]

6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. [kjv]

The TR (Textus Receptus) changed the Greek word for "righteousness" to "alms" to match the following three verses, The last "reward" is not the same Greek word as the "reward" in previous verses.

Doing what is "right" is what is "righteous" and is related to "opinion", "glory" and "law". One must always determine if what is meant is God's "righteousness" or man's "righteousness" (or both).

These verses are a setup for the Lord's Prayer five verses later in Matthew 6:9.

More: Matthew 6:1-4 The right secret left with alms

The Lord's prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13. The immediate context includes Matthew 6:7-15.

As with any verses, the context of the Lord's Prayer is important.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

More: Matthew 6:7-15 Lord's Prayer in Matthew

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]

εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]

6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]

εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]

More: Matthew 6: 14-15: Forget about the debts, sins and trespasses

What fast food does Jesus give to you?

1. The bread of life. 2. Sweat peas.

The English word "bistro" comes from the French word "bistro" ≈ "fast food". The folk etymology is that the word comes from the Russian word " бы́стро" (bee-stro) ≈ "quickly" from the (brief) Russian occupation after the Napoleonic Wars (e.g., in 1914, a year before the Battle of Waterloo) where the troops wanted something "quickly". There may be a connection but it is not clear.

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [kjv]

συ δε νηστευων αλειψαι σου την κεφαλην και το προσωπον σου νιψαι [gnt]

6:18 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. [kjv]

οπως μη φανης τοις ανθρωποις νηστευων αλλα τω πατρι σου τω εν τω κρυφαιω και ο πατηρ σου ο βλεπων εν τω κρυφαιω αποδωσει σοι [gnt]

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [kjv]

6:18 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. [kjv]

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

The English word "hypocrite" is not the same as the Greek word which means "pretending" or "acting".

To whom might Jesus be referring to as "actors" or "pretenders"?

More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

"νῆστις" ≈ "hungry, starved, fasting".
"νηστεύω" ≈ "fast, abstain from food" which is usually self-imposed.

Some play on words may be with the following.

"νίζω" ≈ "wash (feet)".
"νήφω" ≈ "be or stay sober, level-headed".

*G3522 *20 νηστεύω (nace-tyoo'-o) : from G3523; to abstain from food (religiously):--fast.

Usage

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νηστευουσιν *4

Matthew 9:14 ... saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but ...
Mark 2:18 ... of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy ...
Luke 5:33 ... Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make ...

νηστευσουσιν *3

Matthew 9:15 ... them, and then shall they fast.
Mark 2:20 ... them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Luke 5:35 ... from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

νηστευοντες *2

Matthew 6:16 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 ...
Mark 2:18 ... of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy ...

νηστευων *2

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, ...
Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy ...

νηστευειν *2

Mark 2:19 ... the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can not fast.

νηστευσας

Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty ...

νηστευητε

Matthew 6:16 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 ...

νηστευομεν

Matthew 9:14 ... saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but ...

νηστευσαι

Luke 5:34 ... make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is ...

νηστευω

Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

νηστευοντων

Acts 13:2 ... ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, ...

νηστευσαντες

Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid ...

*G3522 *20 νηστεύω (nace-tyoo'-o) : from G3523; to abstain from food (religiously):--fast.

Words: νηστευειν=2 νηστευητε νηστευομεν νηστευοντες=2 νηστευοντων νηστευουσιν=4 νηστευσαι νηστευσαντες νηστευσας νηστευσουσιν=3 νηστευω νηστευων=2

"νηστεύω" ≈ "fast, abstain from food" which is usually self-imposed.

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

The English word "fast" comes from the same original word that diverged into several meanings.

"fast" as in "secure" which, as one may "run hard", one may "run fast", which led to the idea of "quick" or "speed".
"fast" as in "secure" as in a "fortress" and, in late English, took on the idea of "fast" without food as a form of religious "protection".

The English word "breakfast" is the time when one "breaks" the "fast". The "fast" at the "noon" or the ninth hour, or 3 o'clock, was moved to the sixth hour, or what is today "noon" so one would not have to go without food as long.

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

"σκυθράζω" ≈ "scowl angrily".
"σκυθρωπάζω" ≈ "look surly, look sullen".
"σκυθρωπός" ≈ "grim faced, scowling".

In the GNT (Greek New Testament) the meaning is usually that of "sad". Some possible play on words include the following.

"σκῦλον" ≈ "spoil, booty, prey".
"σκὺλος" ≈ "animal skin, hide" and is the source of the modern Greek word "σκύλος" (SKEE-los) ≈ "dog".

*G4659 *2 σκυθρωπός (skoo-thro-pos') : from skuthros (sullen) and a derivative of G3700; angry-visaged, i.e. gloomy or affecting a mournful appearance:--of a sad countenance.

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σκυθρωποι *2

Matthew 6:16 ... not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their ...
Luke 24:17 ... as ye walk, and are sad?

*G4659 *2 σκυθρωπός (skoo-thro-pos') : from skuthros (sullen) and a derivative of G3700; angry-visaged, i.e. gloomy or affecting a mournful appearance:--of a sad countenance.

Words: σκυθρωποι=2

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

"ἀφανής" ≈ "not visible" from "φαίνω" ≈ "make known, reveal" which is the source of the English words such as "phantom" and "phenomena" (both things that "appear").
"αφανιζω" ≈ "conceal, disappear" which is, literally, "not appearing".

The Greek word translated "disfigure" means, literally, to "not appear". It is not clear why the meaning of this word was obfuscated in this verse and in the two verses three and four verses later, where it is translated as "corrupt".

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

The modern Greek word "φαίνομαι" (FEH-no-meh) ≈ "to seem, to appear" which is taken directly from the corresponding ancient Greek word.

In the Cambridge Greek Lexicon, the GNT definitions are definitions 9, 11 and 12 in the last. The first definition as that of "conceal" or "disappear" as in "not appearing"

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

Jesus tends to so the "verily I say unto you" (in this case plural) to tell the reader to connect the previous and following thoughts.

More: Verily I say to you: connect the dots

*G853 *5 ἀφανίζω (af-an-id'-zo) : from G852; to render unapparent, i.e. (actively) consume (becloud), or (passively) disappear (be destroyed):-- corrupt, disfigure, perish, vanish away.

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αφανιζει *2

Matthew 6:19 ... moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves ...
Matthew 6:20 ... moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves ...

αφανιζουσιν

Matthew 6:16 ... the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that ...

αφανισθητε

Acts 13:41 ... and wonder, and perish: for I work ...

αφανιζομενη

James 4:14 ... a little time, and then vanisheth away.

*G853 *5 ἀφανίζω (af-an-id'-zo) : from G852; to render unapparent, i.e. (actively) consume (becloud), or (passively) disappear (be destroyed):-- corrupt, disfigure, perish, vanish away.

Words: αφανιζει=2 αφανιζομενη αφανιζουσιν αφανισθητε

Matthew 6:16 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. [kjv]

οταν δε νηστευητε μη γινεσθε ως οι υποκριται σκυθρωποι αφανιζουσιν γαρ τα προσωπα αυτων οπως φανωσιν τοις ανθρωποις νηστευοντες αμην λεγω υμιν απεχουσιν τον μισθον αυτων [gnt]

cum autem ieiunatis nolite fieri sicut hypocritae tristes demoliuntur enim facies suas ut pareant hominibus ieiunantes amen dico vobis quia receperunt mercedem suam [v]

Here are some Latin words from this verse.

"ieiunus" ≈ "fasting, abstinent, hungry".
"hypocrita" ≈ "mimic, artist, hypocrite".
"tristis" ≈ "sad, unhappy, sorrowful".
"demolior" ≈ "demolish, tear down".
"facies" ≈ "make, form, shape, countenance".
"pareo" ≈ "to appear, be visible, be apparent".

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [kjv]

συ δε νηστευων αλειψαι σου την κεφαλην και το προσωπον σου νιψαι [gnt]

Matthew 6:18 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. [kjv]

οπως μη φανης τοις ανθρωποις νηστευων αλλα τω πατρι σου τω εν τω κρυφαιω και ο πατηρ σου ο βλεπων εν τω κρυφαιω αποδωσει σοι [gnt]

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [kjv]

6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [kjv]

6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [kjv]

Many of the words in the KJV (King James Version) have a different meaning in the Greek. Jesus uses some play on word in these verses.

Can you take your treasure with you? Have you ever seen a hearse (on the way to a graveyard) pulling a U-Haul (with possessions, etc.)? Is treasure mental or physical (or both)? Jesus talks of a way to take you "treasure" with you.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out. [kjv]

More: Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος εαν ουν η ο οφθαλμος σου απλους ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εσται [gnt]

6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! [kjv]

εαν δε ο οφθαλμος σου πονηρος η ολον το σωμα σου σκοτεινον εσται ει ουν το φως το εν σοι σκοτος εστιν το σκοτος ποσον [gnt]

What is the (first) "light"? (mistranslated)
What is meant by the "eye"? (code word)

What is meant by "single"? (word used once and only by Jesus, and a play on words)

More: Matthew 6:22 Lamp of the body

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [kjv]

ουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

Jesus points out two mutually exclusive choices: God vs. "mammon".

true Father God.
false Mother (harlot) god (mammon).

[without spots, opinion, glory, statement or question]

The historical usage of "mammon" in Hebrew is that of a confidence in one's own ability to do things (independent of God). That is a central idea of humanism. The modern Hebrew definition is that of "wealth".

The ancient Greek word "καταφρόνησις" ≈ "think badly of, hold in contempt, despise". Note that this can be done without the other person knowing. False leaders, false teachers, etc., will show an outward appearance that is different from their inside heart.

There appear to be some logical translation issues of what Jesus said. Let us investigate.

More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon