The Meaning of Matthew 6:17 Explained

Matthew 6:17

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

YLT: 'But thou, fasting, anoint thy head, and wash thy face,

Darby: But thou, when fasting, anoint thy head and wash thy face,

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Matthew 6:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 6:9-18 - How To Pray And How To Fast
This might more fitly be termed the "disciples' prayer." As we tread its stately aisles, we cannot but think of the myriads who have stood on the same pavement, and have found, in every age, that these seven brief petitions express sufficiently their deepest and holiest longings. Old men and little children, Roman Catholics and Protestants, the servant and his master, east and west, stand together in this noble temple not made with hands.
Prayer should be direct, simple and earnest. It must be reverent, hallowing the Name; and unselfish, employing, we, us, and our,-not "I," "me," "mine." It must breathe the filial spirit which cries, "Abba, Father." It must be conceived in love and breathe forgiveness and trust for the supply of all the hunger of our nature. When God forgives, He forth-gives; that is, He casts out of His hand and mind and memory every trace of our sin. We may claim that God should repair as well as forgive; but we must be willing to deal with all others as God has dealt with us. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 6

1  Giving to the Needy
5  The Lord's Prayer
16  Proper Fasting
19  Store up Treasures in Heaven
25  Do Not Worry
33  but seek God's kingdom

What do the individual words in Matthew 6:17 mean?

You however fasting anoint your - head and the face of you wash
σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
νηστεύων  fasting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νηστεύω  
Sense: to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days.
ἄλειψαί  anoint 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀλείφω  
Sense: to anoint.
σου  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κεφαλὴν  head 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: κεφαλή  
Sense: the head, both of men and often of animals.
πρόσωπόν  face 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πρόσωπον  
Sense: the face.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
νίψαι  wash 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: νίπτω  
Sense: to wash.

What are the major concepts related to Matthew 6:17?

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