rwp - Matthew:6:16-18

rwp@Matthew:6:16 @{Of a sad countenance} (\skuthrpoi\). Only here and strkjv@Luke:24:17| in the N.T. It is a compound of \skuthros\ (sullen) and \ops\ (countenance). These actors or hypocrites "put on a gloomy look" (Goodspeed) and, if necessary, even "disfigure their faces" (\aphanizousin ta prospa autn\), that they may look like they are fasting. It is this pretence of piety that Jesus so sharply ridicules. There is a play on the Greek words \aphanizousi\ (disfigure) and \phansin\ (figure). They conceal their real looks that they may seem to be fasting, conscious and pretentious hypocrisy.

rwp@Matthew:6:18 @{In secret} (\en ti kruphaii\). Here as in strkjv@6:4,6| the Textus Receptus adds \en ti phaneri\ (openly), but it is not genuine. The word \kruphaios\ is here alone in the New Testament, but occurs four times in the Septuagint.