6:18a

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose for washing one’s face. Jesus asked his followers to 17wash their face and comb their hair 18ain order that it is not obvious to people that they are fasting.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

in order that
-or-
for the purpose that

Yet another way to introduce this clause is as a result. For example:

Then no one will notice that you are fasting (New Living Translation (2004))

your fasting will not be obvious to men: This clause is similar to 6:16c, except that it is negative. People who fast should look clean and neat as usual so that other people will not see that they are fasting.

The verb will not be obvious is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• As a passive, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

you may not be seen by others that you are fasting

• As an active. For example:

people will not see/realize that you are fasting
-or-
no one will know you are fasting (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your fasting won’t be obvious (God’s Word)

6:18b

but only: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but indicates a contrast. The contrast is between the people who will not know that you are fasting and God, who will know.

You should wash 18aso that your fasting will not be obvious to other people, 18bbut ⌊it will be obvious⌋ to God.

to your Father: The verb phrase “be obvious” from 6:18a is implied here. It will be obvious to your Father. He alone will know that you are fasting.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• As a passive:

⌊your fasting will be obvious⌋ to ⌊God⌋ your Father

• As an active. For example:

only your Father ⌊will know⌋ ⌊that you are fasting⌋
-or-
but your Father ⌊God⌋ alone ⌊will realize/see it⌋

your Father: As in 6:15b, the phrase your Father refers to God. You should translate it here as you did there.

who is unseen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who is unseen also occurs in 6:6b. It refers to the fact that God is everywhere and sees everything. In the context of fasting, it is probably implied that the fasting should also be done in a place where no one will see. But God is there in that secret place.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

who is in ⌊that⌋ secret ⌊place⌋
-or-
who is with you in private (God’s Word)

6:18c

And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you: This clause is identical to the clause in 6:4b. Translate it here as you did there.

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