Why did Jesus fast?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Fasting, abstaining from food for a set amount of time, is found throughout Scripture. The desired outcome of biblical fasting is a stronger spirit and a deeper focus on God instead of earthly matters. The Old Testament records people fasting as a way to repent of sin (1 Samuel 7:6; Jonah 3:5-10), mourn (2 Samuel 1:12; Nehemiah 1:4), seek God’s guidance (2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23), and humble one’s self before God (Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3). But the Bible indicates that Jesus fasted by the prompting of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1-2) before being tempted by Satan. His fasting weakened His power in His human nature, but He found strength in God. Jesus lived every moment directed by the power of the Spirit (Luke 10:21-22), which should encourage believers to do the same.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• People fasted in the Old Testament to repent for their sins against God. An example of this is the Ninevites fasting after hearing Jonah’s warning about pending destruction if they didn’t repent (Jonah 3:5-10). As Jesus was sinless, he didn’t use fasting for repentance.
• Another reason ancient people fasted was as a form of mourning, as when David and his men fasted to mourn the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:12).
• Old Testament figures sometimes fasted when seeking God’s guidance (2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Many believe that Jesus fasted often because of His forty-day fast in the desert. However, Scripture indicates that Jesus was criticized for "eating and drinking" (Matthew 11:19).
• The Holy Spirit prompted Jesus to fast and led Him into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1–2). Though tempted by the Devil during that time, Jesus defeated Satan's temptations because He relied on God's Word and held tight to God's promises. This is a remarkable example of how Jesus prevailed over sin by finding power in the Word of God, not His own strength.
• Matthew 4:11 says that after Christ was tempted, "the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him." Jesus' fasting strengthened Him, not by relying on His humanity but by relying on God.
• Luke 4:14 confirms His strengthening by God, saying, "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit ..." This time of fasting and enduring temptation prepared Jesus for His three-year public ministry, in which He delivered the oppressed, performed miracles, and defeated death.
• Jesus lived every moment directed by the power of the Spirit (Luke 10:21-22), because it shows a mastery over His human nature. This encourages those who follow Christ, since Romans 8:9-10 indicates that we "are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Social media. Video games. News headlines. Netflix streams. Modern society is filled with distractions. So many distractions fill our days that we may think we’re living, only to one day realize that we’ve been in a stupor of diversions.

Fasting is one way people in ancient times regained focus. The Bible records people fasting to focus on God—seeking His guidance and strength. Believers today don’t often think of fasting as a way to focus on the Lord, but there’s really no reason not to. We can fast from food or ‘fast” from an activity that distracts us from spiritual development.

Fasting reminds us of how weak we are. If you’re asking, “Why would I want to be reminded about that?” 2 Corinthians 12:9b is a good reminder. Paul wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Fasting can remind us of who we are and who God is.

UNDERSTAND

• The Spirit led Jesus to fast in the wilderness to prepare for ministry.
• Jesus’ fasting showed dependence on God’s Word and Spirit.
• Fasting teaches us to shift from earthly needs to God’s power and presence.

REFLECT

• How could fasting help you depend more on God instead of your own strength?
• In what areas of your life are you most distracted from focusing on God, and how might fasting refocus you?
• How can following Jesus’ example of Spirit-led fasting strengthen your spiritual growth and obedience?

ENGAGE

• How does Jesus’ reliance on the Holy Spirit during fasting challenge our approach to spiritual discipline today?
• What practical ways can we fast—whether from food or distractions—to deepen our dependence on God?
• How does understanding fasting as a tool for seeking God’s guidance change the way we pray and make decisions?