# they disfigure their faces

Sometimes people fasted and let their face and hair look dirty when they were very sorry for their sins. But hypocrites made their faces look dirty because they wanted other people to know that they were fasting and to think that they were very good. Alternate translation: "they make their faces look dirty" or "they put ashes on their faces"

# Truly I say to you

"I tell you the truth." This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.