Jesus taught fasting without show (Matthew 6:16-18). The prophets call for a fast that looses bands of wickedness and cares for the hungry (Isaiah 58:6), and to turn to God with all the heart, with fasting (Joel 2:12). In Acts, the church fasted and prayed before sending leaders (Acts 13:2-3).
Fasting in Scripture is voluntary humility before God—often joined to prayer, repentance, and justice—not a diet trend or a way to impress people. These twelve King James passages cover how to fast, what God desires in a fast, and how God's people sought Him with fasting.
How Jesus taught fasting
1. Matthew 6:16-18
"Moreover 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. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That 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."
When you fast, do not be as the hypocrites with a sad countenance. Anoint your head, wash your face—fast unto your Father in secret, and He will reward you openly.
2. Matthew 9:14-15
"Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast."
Jesus' disciples would fast when the bridegroom was taken away. Fasting has a time; it is not the only mark of devotion while Christ is present in joy.
3. Matthew 4:2
"And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred."
When Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. His wilderness fast preceded the temptation.
4. Luke 4:2
"Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered."
Luke's parallel: being forty days tempted of the devil, Jesus ate nothing in those days. Fasting and testing met in the wilderness.
The fast God chooses
5. Isaiah 58:6
"Is 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?"
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free. True fasting bears justice and mercy.
6. Isaiah 58:3
"Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours."
People ask why they fasted and God did not see—while they found pleasure and exacted labors. Empty ritual without righteousness is not heard.
7. Joel 2:12
"Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:"
Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Fasting joins wholehearted return to God.
8. Joel 1:14
"Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,"
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders. Corporate fasting can mark a season of urgent seeking.
Seeking God with fasting
9. Acts 13:2-3
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said to separate Barnabas and Saul. They fasted and prayed, then sent them.
10. Acts 14:23
"And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
When they had ordained elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord. Leadership and fasting went together.
11. Daniel 9:3
"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:"
Daniel set his face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.
12. Ezra 8:23
"So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us."
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Fasting accompanied a plea for safe journey—and God answered.
A short prayer
Father, teach me to fast unto You, not for show. Soften my heart with prayer and humility. Let any fast I keep loosen injustice in me and deepen my hunger for Your will. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about fasting?
Jesus assumes His followers will fast and teaches secrecy over display (Matthew 6:16-18). Isaiah 58 ties true fasting to justice and mercy; Acts shows the church fasting with prayer.
Where does Jesus teach how to fast?
Matthew 6:16-18: do not look gloomy for attention; fast unto your Father in secret.
What is the fast God chooses?
Isaiah 58:6 describes a fast that looses wickedness, lifts burdens, frees the oppressed, and breaks every yoke—not empty self-affliction alone.
Should Christians still fast?
Jesus spoke of a time when His disciples would fast (Matthew 9:15). The early church fasted (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23). Practice carefully and wisely, especially if you have health concerns—seek medical advice when needed.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about humility · Bible verses about forgiveness · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about gratitude
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
