King James Bible
"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."
Jesus instructs his followers to avoid theatrical displays of piety during fasting, contrasting genuine spiritual discipline with the hypocrites' performative gloom. The Greek word for hypocrite originally meant 'actor,' emphasizing how religious showmanship masks true devotion. The hypocrites deliberately make themselves look disheveled and miserable to broadcast their fasting to others. This self-inflicted disfigurement exposes their motive: seeking human admiration rather than communion with God. Jesus declares with authority that those who fast for public acclaim receive exactly what they sought—fleeting human approval. The phrase implies this earthly recognition is their only reward, forfeiting any spiritual benefit or divine recognition.