Matthew 6:16 Commentary - Abbott's Illustrated New Testament

Verse 16

Fast. When oppressed with grief, we have little appetite for food. Hence fasting is the natural expression of grief. If unfeigned sorrow for sin do not accompany it, it is of no avail.--Hypocrites; false pretenders to piety.--Disfigure their faces. Paleness and emaciation, and an air of dejection, are the consequences of long abstinence from food. The hypocrites endeavored, in various ways, to assume such appearances.

Verse 17

Anoint thine head; that is, as usual; this being then customary among the Jews. The meaning is, do nothing to make an outward display of penitence and mortification.

Verse 19

Moth and rust. The treasures of wealthy persons, in ancient times, consisted of accumulations of property in their own hands, much of which was of a perishable nature. (Joshua 22:8 ; Luke 12:16-19 .) Hence moths, rust, and thieves, were then the sources of insecurity. In modern times, the dangers to which property is exposed, are still greater, though of a different kind.

Verse 22

The light of the body; that is, the instrument or organ on which the body depends for light.--Single; in a healthy and perfect state.--Full of light; fully supplied with light.

Verse 23

Evil; defective or diseased.--If therefore, the light, &c. The meaning of the whole passage is this: As the whole body is in darkness if the light of the eye be extinguished, so, if the perception of divine truth is lost, the whole soul is involved in the deepest spiritual ignorance and danger.

Verse 24

Hate the one; that is, be indifferent to him. The word hate is frequently used in a sense analogous to this.--Hold to the one; be devoted to his service:--Despise; disregard.--Mammon; a heathen deity, supposed to preside over riches. The idea is, you cannot serve God and also fix your hearts upon this world.

Verse 25

Take no thought; be not anxiously solicitous.

Verse 27

Cubit; a measure of length, of about a foot and a half. The meaning of the expression is, that those hidden causes on which the growth and vitality of the body depend, are under God's control, not under ours.

Verse 30

Cast into the oven; with other dried herb used as fuel.

Verse 33

The kingdom of God and his righteousness; that holiness which will make you a member of Christ's spiritual kingdom.

Verse 34

The morrow will take, &c.; add not to the cares of to-day by anxious solicitude for the morrow. Each day brings with it cares enough of its own.