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Summary: For fasting, start with Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches how to fast without showing off, and Isaiah 58, which describes the kind of fast God really wants. Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah show people fasting before big decisions and dangers, Joel and Jonah show fasting as repentance, and Acts shows the early church fasting for guidance.
Fasting, going without food (or certain foods) for a time to focus on God, appears throughout the Bible. Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Jesus, Paul and the early church all fasted. Yet many Christians today have never tried it or aren’t sure why it matters. In Scripture, fasting is connected to prayer, repentance, grief, seeking guidance and preparing for an important task. It is never about earning God’s favor or losing weight. This guide covers ten books of the Bible that explain fasting, each with a key verse to guide your own practice.
Note: If you are pregnant, nursing, diabetic, have a history of eating disorders or take medication, talk with your doctor before fasting from food. You can also fast from media, social apps or certain foods.
Table of Contents
Key Facts at a Glance
| Book | Testament | Chapters | Key Verse | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew | New | 28 | Matthew 6:17 | How to fast |
| Isaiah | Old | 66 | Isaiah 58:6 | The right heart |
| Esther | Old | 10 | Esther 4:16 | Fasting in a crisis |
| Daniel | Old | 12 | Daniel 10:3 | Partial fasts |
| Joel | Old | 3 | Joel 2:12 | Repentance |
| Ezra | Old | 10 | Ezra 8:23 | Asking for protection |
| Nehemiah | Old | 13 | Nehemiah 1:4 | Before big plans |
| Jonah | Old | 4 | Jonah 3:5 | Community fasting |
| Luke | New | 24 | Luke 4:2 | Jesus’ example |
| Acts | New | 28 | Acts 13:2 | Seeking guidance |
1. What Does Jesus Teach About Fasting in Matthew?
In Matthew 6, Jesus says “when ye fast,” not “if.” He warns against making a show of it and tells his followers to wash their faces and look normal so only God knows. Fasting is meant to be a private act of devotion, and God sees it.
Key verse: “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.” (Matthew 6:17)
2. What Kind of Fast Does God Want in Isaiah 58?
The people in Isaiah’s day fasted but still mistreated workers and quarreled. God says their fasting meant nothing without justice and compassion. The fast he wants includes freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry and caring for the poor. It’s the most important chapter on fasting’s purpose.
Key verse: “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?” (Isaiah 58:6)
3. Why Did Esther Call for a Fast?
Before risking her life to approach the king, Esther asked all the Jews in the city to fast for three days, and she fasted too. It shows fasting as a way to seek God together in a crisis before taking a courageous step.
Key verse: “Go, 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.” (Esther 4:16)
4. What Is the Daniel Fast?
Daniel 1 describes Daniel eating only vegetables and water, and Daniel 10 describes three weeks without meat, wine or rich food while he mourned and prayed. Many Christians follow a “Daniel fast” of plant-based foods for 21 days, which is a good option for people new to fasting.
Key verse: “I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” (Daniel 10:3)
5. How Does Joel Connect Fasting and Repentance?
After a devastating locust plague, the prophet Joel calls the whole nation to fast and return to God with all their hearts. He adds, “rend your heart, and not your garments.” Outward fasting must come with inward change.
Key verse: “Therefore 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)
6. Why Did Ezra Fast Before a Journey?
Ezra was leading a group back to Jerusalem with valuable temple treasures through dangerous territory. He was embarrassed to ask the king for soldiers after telling him God would protect them, so he called a fast instead. God answered and they arrived safely.
Key verse: “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.” (Ezra 8:23)
7. How Did Nehemiah Use Fasting Before Big Plans?
When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken down, he mourned, fasted and prayed for days. Only then did he approach the king with a plan. Fasting before a major decision, like a move, job change or ministry launch, follows his example.
Key verse: “I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4)
8. What Does Jonah Show About Community Fasting?
When Jonah warned Nineveh of coming judgment, the entire city, from the king to the animals, fasted and turned from violence. God relented. It’s a striking picture of how a whole community can humble itself before God.
Key verse: “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:5)
9. How Did Jesus Fast in Luke?
Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. He answered each temptation with Scripture. Luke 2 also mentions Anna, an elderly widow who worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day.
Key verse: “Being 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)
10. How Did the Early Church Fast in Acts?
The church in Antioch was worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to their first missionary journey. Later, Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed when appointing church leaders (Acts 14:23). Fasting helped them seek God’s direction together.
Key verse: “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.” (Acts 13:2)
How Should You Start Fasting Biblically?
- Know your purpose. Write down why you’re fasting: guidance, repentance, a need or simply drawing near to God.
- Start small. Skip one meal, or try a sunrise-to-sunset fast before attempting longer ones.
- Replace food with prayer. Use mealtimes to read Scripture and pray.
- Drink water. Most biblical fasts were from food, not water. Stay hydrated.
- Keep it private. Follow Matthew 6 and avoid announcing it.
- Serve others. As Isaiah 58 teaches, pair fasting with generosity and kindness.
Helpful Books to Read Alongside Scripture
A Hunger for God by John Piper. A thoughtful look at why Christians fast, grounded in Scripture and focused on desiring God more than his gifts.
Fasting by Jentezen Franklin. A practical, encouraging guide to different kinds of fasts and how to begin.
Related: best books of the Bible for prayer and best books of the Bible for spiritual warfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book of the Bible is best for fasting?
Matthew 6 and Isaiah 58 are the most important passages on fasting. Esther, Daniel, Joel and Acts give helpful examples of people fasting for different reasons.
What is the Daniel fast?
The Daniel fast is a partial fast based on Daniel 1 and 10, usually lasting 21 days, in which people eat vegetables, fruits, grains and water while avoiding meat, sweets and rich foods.
Does the Bible say how long to fast?
The Bible records fasts of one day, three days, 21 days and 40 days. There is no required length, and beginners often start with skipping a single meal.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Chapter counts follow the Protestant Bible.