Fasting
    By Mark E. Moore

I. Major Texts on Fasting:

  1. Isaiah 58:3-7 -- The fast God desires is compassion and justice.

  2. Mt 6:16_18 -- Do not fast for ostentatious show (though it still could be in community).

  3. Mt 9:14-15; Mk 2:18-20; Lk 5:34-35 -- When the bridegroom leaves we will fast.

II. Purposes or Reasons for a Fast:

  1. A sign of grief (may also be from a natural loss of appetite due to grief) -- Mt. 9:15 and parallels; Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; 1 Kings 21:27; particularly in conjunction with repentance (Acts 9:9).

  2. Preparation for prayer and/or a desire to gain God's ear or approval, or to show God your intensity in the matter -- 2 Samuel 12:16_23.

  3. Preparation for a serious decision -- Esther 4:16.

  4. Fasting is also an effective way to de-emphasize the flesh and give priority to the spirit -- i.e. to show the body who's boss.

  5. Casting out demons -- Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29 (Although both these texts have suspicious textual variants).

III. Facts about Fasting:

  1. Total or partial abstinence from food and/or drink -- Esther 4:16; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 10:3.

  2. Time limits:

    1. Through the night -- 6:18.

    2. Morning through evening -- 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 1:12.

    3. Three days, three nights -- 4:16.

    4. Seven days -- Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 12:16-18; 1 Chronicles 10:12.

    5. Forty days -- Matthew 4:2.

  3. It is referred to as "afflicting" the body. It causes physical weakness -- Psalm 109:24

  4. It is connect to:

    1. Repentance -- Joel 2:12_17; Jonah 3:5; Nehemiah 9:1; 2 Samuel 12:15_23; 1 Kings 21:27_29.

    2. Prayer -- 1 Samuel 7:5,6; 2 Samuel 12:16_23; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Nehemiah 1:4ff; Ezra 8:23; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3; Joel 1:14; 2:12_17; Matthew 17:21 [in Majority text]; Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2,3; 14:23.

    3. Mourning -- Daniel 6:18; 2 Samuel 1:12; 12:16, 21, 22; Zechariah 7:5; Judges 20:26; 1 Kings 21:27; Nehemiah 1:4ff.; 9:1; Esther 4:3; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3; Joel 2:12_17; Jonah 3:5.

IV. Who Fasts

  1. Anna serving in the temple -- Luke 2:37.

  2. Jesus' temptations 40 days -- Matthew 4:2.

  3. John's disciples and Jesus' compared -- Matthew 9:14, 15; Mark 2:18_20; Luke 5:34_35.

  4. Official Jewish fast -- Acts 27:9, (cf. Lev. 16:29, 31).

    1. Pharisaic fast days were Monday and Thursday (cf. Luke 18:12).

    2. Christian fast days became Wednesday and Friday.

  5. Paul's sufferings -- 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27.

  6. Church leaders ordination -- Acts 13:2, 3; 14:23.

  7. Fast of Pharisee (Hypocritical) -- Luke 18:12.





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