{Of a sad countenance} (skuthr(9370)oi). Only here and  Lu
24:17  in the N.T. It is a compound of skuthros (sullen) and
ops (countenance). These actors or hypocrites "put on a gloomy
look" (Goodspeed) and, if necessary, even "disfigure their faces"
(aphanizousin ta pros(9370)a aut(936e)), 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 aphanizousi
(disfigure) and phan(9373)in (figure). They conceal their real
looks that they may seem to be fasting, conscious and pretentious
hypocrisy.