Bible Verses About Fasting

Bible verses about fasting, its spiritual purpose, and how believers practiced it throughout Scripture. Fasting is presented as a discipline that draws the heart closer to God and accompanies earnest prayer.

King James Version
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:16-18
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isaiah 58:6-7
2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13:2-3
12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Joel 2:12
16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther 4:16
3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Daniel 9:3
2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Luke 4:2
2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matthew 4:2
23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Psalms 35:13

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of fasting according to the Bible?

Biblical fasting is abstaining from food (and sometimes drink) to focus on prayer and seeking God. Isaiah 58:6-7 describes God's chosen fast as one that loosens the bonds of wickedness, feeds the hungry, and pursues justice. It is a discipline of self-denial that sharpens spiritual focus and expresses dependence on God rather than physical sustenance.

How should Christians fast according to Jesus?

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus taught that fasting should not be done for show. He said not to look gloomy or disfigure your face to be seen by others, but to anoint your head and wash your face so that fasting is seen only by God, who rewards in secret. The emphasis is on sincerity, not performance.

Is fasting required for Christians today?

Jesus said 'when you fast' (Matthew 6:16), not 'if you fast,' implying He expected His followers to practice it. The early church fasted before important decisions (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23). While no New Testament command mandates specific fasting schedules, most Christian traditions commend it as a valuable spiritual discipline that strengthens prayer and dependence on God.