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Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV)

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

In Matthew Christ teaches that you should not appear to people as fasting, but this should be done in secret. Does this text also cover not disclosing to those who will query one about his/her fasting status?

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  • Note that Jesus said the same thing about praying.
    – Perry Webb
    May 7 '18 at 20:30
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    To answer this question would be at odds with Jesus' disdain for the Pharisaical approach to the Torah where men defined the commands by how far up the arm one must wash, how far one is permitted to walk on a sabbath, how much they may lift, etc. Suffice it to say that one should not seek to impress men but to please God. Beyond that one is simply cultivating the leaven of the Pharisees.
    – Ruminator
    May 8 '18 at 13:31

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