Matt 6:16-20
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The New Testament > Matthew > Chapter 6
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Questions
Verse 19
- "Treasures in heaven." What are the treasures in heaven we need to lay up?
Lexical notes
Verse 18
- "Openly." Some manuscripts omit this word (cf. NAS, NIV).
Exegesis
Verse 17
Usually when fasting, people put ashes on their head and walked shoeless, with torn clothing, and no greeting was given. This was all a consequence of the close connection between fasting and mourning (1 Sam 20:34; 2 Sam 1:12; Dan 10:2-3; Joel 2:12; Zech 7:5). This sort of fasting was so conspicuous that the Romans made it ridiculous by cruelly imitating it in their theaters. On the other hand, putting oil on the head and washing the face were reserved for joyous occasions.
Verses 6:19-7:12
This seems to mark a new section discussing applications and insights to the ideas already mentioned in this sermon.
Verse 19
In this verse the Lord tells us not to lay up for ourselves treasures upon the earth. Compare this to Jacob 2:19. At first glance it may appear that these two verses contradict each other. Verse 19 here seems to say that we shouldn't be rich at all; in contrast Verse 19 of Jacob 2 says that if we first have hope in Christ than we can (or should?) seek riches to help the needy. The contrast, though, is superficial if we examine the Lord's words here carefully. Note that verse 19 here prohibits people from "laying up treasure for themselves" (emphasis added). The key point is the intention of the person acquiring wealth. Is the intention to help the needy as in Jacob 2:19? Or, is it to lay up treasure for ourselves?
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