Matthew 6:16
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.
Matthew 6:17
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Matthew 6:18
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.
Matthew 4:2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
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?
Isaiah 58:7
Is 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?
Acts 13:2
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 13:3
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Understanding this theme in its biblical setting
In Scripture, fasting is a voluntary setting aside of food for a time in order to focus prayer and humility before God. Both Isaiah 58 and Jesus in Matthew 6 warn against performative fasting, linking true devotion to sincerity and mercy toward the hungry. Rather than treating individual verses as isolated slogans, Scripture invites us to listen to how the Law, the Psalms, the Prophets, the Gospels, and the apostolic letters speak to one another across centuries of lived faith.
Key passages and their context
Matthew 6:16–18 — Context and meaning
Recorded in the four Gospels, this teaching comes directly from the ministry of Jesus—inviting disciples not merely to admire his words, but to practice them in relationship with God and neighbor. You can read the surrounding chapter in Matthew 6 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Matthew 4:2–4 — Context and meaning
Recorded in the four Gospels, this teaching comes directly from the ministry of Jesus—inviting disciples not merely to admire his words, but to practice them in relationship with God and neighbor. You can read the surrounding chapter in Matthew 4 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Isaiah 58:6–7 — Context and meaning
Spoken through Israel's prophets during seasons of national crisis and exile, this promise calls listeners back to faithfulness while pointing to God's enduring restoration. You can read the surrounding chapter in Isaiah 58 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Acts 13:2–3 — Context and meaning
From the book of Acts, this passage shows how the earliest Christian communities lived out Jesus' teaching through shared prayer, witness, and the work of the Holy Spirit. You can read the surrounding chapter in Acts 13 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
How to reflect on these passages in daily life
- Read slowly in context: Open the chapter surrounding at least one reference above so you hear the speaker's full argument or prayer before focusing on a single sentence.
- Notice what the text reveals about God: Before asking what you must do, observe how the passage describes God's patience, wisdom, mercy, or faithfulness.
- Carry one question into your day: Keep a single phrase or verse close—whether in a notebook, on your Lock Screen widget, or in evening prayer—and return to it when your attention is scattered.
Continue exploring on Versea
You can continue reading in our Bible verses by topic collection, explore related answers in Questions about the Bible, or study a full passage in Bible lessons.
Questions people ask
01Why should I read the full chapter around these verses on fasting?
Every biblical verse was written within a specific letter, psalm, historical narrative, or Gospel conversation. Reading the surrounding chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and what situation prompted the words, preventing isolated phrases from being misunderstood.
02Which translation does Versea quote on this page?
In English, Versea quotes the public-domain King James Version (KJV) directly from verified chapter sources so that no verse text is ever altered or generated by AI. You can also compare the full book context in the Bible library.
03How can I carry this passage into daily prayer and reflection?
Choose one verse from the list above, read it slowly in the morning and evening, and ask one honest question: what does this text show about God's character, and what small step of trust or kindness does it invite today?