Biblical Answer

Why did Jesus say to fast in secret?

Jesus emphasized the value of fasting as a sign of repentance before God rather than as an effort to impress others with personal piety. He assumed that his disciples would continue to practice voluntary fasting based on spiritual interest and hunger. However, Jesus also said to fast in secret, which means that the motivation for fasting should not be to show off or impress others, but rather to have a personal and intimate relationship with God.

Jesus used a series of analogies to assert that his disciples should not fast in public, but rather in secret. He said that when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting (Matt. 6:16). Instead, Jesus instructed his disciples to use a little makeup, so as not to appear as if they had been fasting (Mt 6:17-18). This shows that Jesus was not against fasting, but rather against the way the Pharisees were doing it, which was to show off and impress others.

Jesus' emphasis on fasting in secret is rooted in his desire for his disciples to have a genuine and personal relationship with God, rather than just going through the motions to impress others. He wanted them to fast as an act of worship and devotion, rather than as a way to show off their piety. By fasting in secret, Jesus' disciples could focus on their relationship with God, rather than seeking external validation or recognition. This approach to fasting is still relevant today, as Christians are called to live out their faith in a way that is authentic and personal, rather than just trying to impress others.