Matthew 6:18
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Cross-references
In Matthew 6:4, the same 'Father who sees in secret will reward you' applies to almsgiving — here the identical promise is applied to fasting.
In Matthew 6:4, the same 'Father who sees in secret will reward you' applies to almsgiving — here the identical promise is applied to fasting.
In 2 Corinthians 10:18, Paul says the Lord's approval matters, not self-commendation — directly parallel to seeking reward from the Father in secret here.
In Colossians 3:22-24, Paul instructs working for the Lord, not men, with reward from him — same principle as fasting for the Father's reward here.
In Mark 2:18, the disciples of John and Pharisees fast — this is the external practice Jesus redefines by emphasizing secrecy.
In 2 Chronicles 15:7, God promises reward for faithful work — echoing the assurance that secret acts receive His reward.
In Romans 2:6, God repays each according to deeds — reinforcing the principle that the secret fasting's reward comes from Him.