Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Of a sad countenance (skuqrwpoi). Only here and Luke 24:17 in the N.T. It is a compound of skuqrov (sullen) and oy (countenance). These actors or hypocrites "put on a gloomy look" (Goodspeed) and, if necessary, even "disfigure their faces" (afanizousin ta proswpa autwn), that they may look like they are fasting. It is this pretence of piety that Jesus so sharply ridicules. There is a play on the Greek words afanizousi (disfigure) and fanwsin (figure). They conceal their real looks that they may seem to be fasting, conscious and pretentious hypocrisy.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Matthew 6:16:
Matthew 23:13
Luke 12:1
Philippians 4:18
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