Matthew 6:17
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;”
What does Matthew 6:17 mean?
When you choose to fast (go without food for spiritual reasons), Jesus is inviting you to keep it between you and God rather than making a show of it. Anointing your head with oil and washing your face were normal grooming practices in that culture, so Jesus is essentially saying: keep living your regular life, take care of yourself, and don't let people know you're fasting. The point isn't about the specific actions of washing or anointing, but about not advertising your spiritual discipline to gain attention or approval from others. Genuine devotion to God works best in quiet, hidden places where your only audience is the one you're actually trying to honor.