6:1–18 Religion and its rewards. The general summary in v 1 is followed by three parallel illustrations of the wrong and the right way to go about religious observance. Almsgiving, prayer and fasting were central elements in Jewish religion, and all are assumed to be valid for Jesus’ disciples. The issue is not whether you should do them, but how and why. And it is focused in the question of reward; the reward for ostentatious religion is the human recognition for which it is seeking; but that is all (they have received their reward in full). Secret religion, on the other hand, which is done for God and not for human approval, may expect a heavenly reward. Notice that, as in 5:3–12, there is no embarrassment about the idea of reward.

Richard T. France, “Matthew,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 912–913.