Matthew 6:16–18

Fasting

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(ESV)

Matthew 9:14–15

A Question About Fasting

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast,¹ but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Footnotes

[1] 9:14 Some manuscripts add much, or often

(ESV)

Matthew 17:14–20

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,¹ and it² came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.³ 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”⁴

Footnotes

[1] 17:18 Greek it
[2] 17:18 Greek the demon
[3] 17:18 Greek from that hour
[4] 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting

(ESV)