Notes on Fasting in the Bible
—Religious fasting
Here are some notes on what the Bible says about fasting. We consider abstinence from foods, and various other things, as a matter of religion.
These notes are not dealing with fasting for good health which some people believe in and practise. We are looking at fasting as a religious practice usually associated with prayer.
1 Fasting is one of many forms of abstinence.
Fasting, temporary abstinence from food and drink, is not the only kind of abstinence mentioned in the Bible. Here are some examples.
- Abstaining from wine. For instance, this was required of Samson’s mother in her pregnancy to ensure that Samson would be a Nazirite abstaining from wine from the beginning of his life, even in the womb (Judges 13:7, (Numbers 6:1-4).
- Abstaining from cutting hair. It was part of the Nazirite vow to let one's hair grow long (Numbers 6:1-2,5).
- Abstaining from clothing. Isaiah spent three years naked and barefoot as a sign against Egypt (Isaiah 20:1-4). The remnant of the Israelites, in a time of repentance, abstained from normal clothing wearing sackcloth (Nehemiah 9:1).
- Abstaining from speaking. Job’s three friends did this when they visited him in his sorrow and sickness (Job 2:11-13).
- Abstaining from music and dancing. King Darius did this after reluctantly shutting Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:18, cf Psalm 30:11-12).
- Abstaining from laughter. James’s advice to sinners: "Let your laughter be turned to mourning" (James 4:9).
- Abstaining from sleep. David vowed to do this (Psalm 132:1-5).
- Abstaining from daylight. The widows of Babylon would sit in silence and mourn in darkness (Isaiah 47:5).
- Abstaining from sexual intercourse (by married couples for religious reasons and with consent). This is not encouraged for long periods (1Corinthians 7:5)
- Abstaining from work. This was required on special days under the law given to Moses. This included the seventh day of every week (Exodus 20:8-11).
2 Fasting is associated with solemn occasions.
It is evident, in the verses noted above, that fasting and other forms of temporary abstinence, in a religious setting, take place on special days and solemn occasions.
For example, when sending Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey, leaders at the congregation at Syrian Antioch fasted and prayed (Acts 13:1-4).
In times of mourning, penitence, tribulation, dedication, petition, or revelation, it is appropriate to fast. Mary, at the feet of Jesus, was not interested in the big meal that Martha was preparing. Instead, Mary was drinking in the word of our Lord (Luke 10:38-42).
The disciples of Jesus did not fast often like the Pharisees or the disciples of John the Baptizer (Matthew 9:14-15). They did, however, fast when the occasion warranted it. For example, when Paul was appointing elders in every church it was done prayerfully with fasting (Acts 14:21-23).
3 The Christian view of fasting
In Biblical Christianity, fasting is voluntary. Rules such as "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" are made by men, but not by Christ (Colossians 2:20-23). "He declared all foods clean" (Mark 7:18-19 ESV) and did not command abstinence from them.
Even the law of Moses did not require fasting, although it is a common practice among devout Jews. In particular, traditional Judaism requires fasting on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) since the law commands "self-denial" on that day (Leviticus 16:29-30).
Jesus, like Moses, once fasted for an extreme 40 days eating nothing. (Luke 4:1-2; Exodus 34:28). Jesus, however, does not require us to fast for even one day.
Nevertheless, if we choose to fast, Jesus allows it with this rule: do not make a show of it (Matthew 6:16).
Paul expands on that: "These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom, in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh" (Colossians 2:23).