Matthew 6:17

But thou. The Sermon on the Mount contrasts the philosophies of God and man. The teachings of Jesus — “but I say unto you” (ch. 5:22; etc.) — stand in opposition to those of the rabbis, and the lives of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven — “but thou” (ch. 6:6; etc.) — in contrast with those of the “hypocrites.”

When thou fastest. Jesus does not here commend fasting, nor does He condemn it. Whether a man fasts is a matter of concern to him alone. In fact, the very essence of fasting is the consciousness of personal need for doing so. The point in Jesus’ teaching is that fasting is to be a personal experience entered into because of that sense of need, and not as a pious formality or to earn a reputation for superior piety. There is no virtue in fasting simply because a man is commanded to do so.

Anoint thine head. Oil was a symbol of joy (Ps. 45:7; 104:15). The anointing of the head with oil was figurative of blessings received (chs. 23:5; 92:10). Citizens of the kingdom of heaven may fast, but when they do so they are to dress and appear as usual, because fasting is personal, and loses its meaning if done to “appear unto men to fast.”

Wash thy face. In contrast with the “hypocrites” when fasting (see on v. 16).