Biblical Answer

Did Jesus Fast?

Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness before he began his ministry. This fast is a significant event in the New Testament, as it reminds us of Moses' experience at Sinai, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights (Exod. 34:28). However, the text does not indicate whether Jesus' fast was total or if he was limited to subsisting on meager fare.

The Purpose of Jesus' Fast

The purpose of Jesus' fast was not to demonstrate his ability to abstain from food, but rather to demonstrate his obedience to God and his dependence on God's power. After fasting for forty days, Jesus was in no condition to climb even a small hill unless he drew on the divine power available to him. This is evident in the temptation by Satan, where Satan asked Jesus to use his divine power to bypass the hunger and thirst that he was experiencing. Jesus' response was not to use his divine power to feed himself, but rather to rely on God's provision and guidance.

The Significance of Jesus' Fast

Jesus' fast is significant because it demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's provision and guidance, rather than relying on our own strength and abilities. This is a principle that is repeated throughout the New Testament, where Jesus encourages his followers to fast and pray, not because they must, but because they can. Jesus says, "And when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full" (Matt. 6:16). Jesus is not commanding his followers to fast, but rather encouraging them to do so as a means of drawing closer to God and trusting in His provision. Similarly, when Jesus says, "The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast" (Matt. 9:15), he is not predicting a time of famine or hardship, but rather a time when his followers will be more willing to fast and pray as a means of seeking God's guidance and provision. In this sense, Jesus' fast is a model for us to follow, as we seek to trust in God's provision and guidance in our own lives.