Matthew 6:16 (GNV)

Passage

Moreouer, when ye fast, looke not sowre as the hypocrites: for they disfigure their faces, that they might seeme vnto men to fast. Verely I say vnto you, that they haue their rewarde.

Nearby Context

Matthew 6:14 For if ye doe forgiue men their trespasses, your heauenly Father will also forgiue you.

Matthew 6:15 But if ye do not forgiue men their trespasses,, no more will your father forgiue you your trespaces.

Matthew 6:16 Moreouer, when ye fast, looke not sowre as the hypocrites: for they disfigure their faces, that they might seeme vnto men to fast. Verely I say vnto you, that they haue their rewarde.

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

Matthew 6:18 That thou seeme not vnto men to fast, but vnto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret, will rewarde thee openly.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "moreouer", "fast", "looke", "sowre", "hypocrites", "disfigure", "faces", and "might". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "moreouer" and "fast", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "But if ye do not forgiue men..." into verse 17's "But when thou fastest anoint thine head...", so "moreouer" and "fast" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "moreouer" and "fast" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.