Fasting

From Textus Receptus

In the bible, fasting is to willingly abstain from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time, usually a period of 24 hours, or a number of days. It may also involve abstinence from other legitimate pleasures. Water fasting allows drinking water but nothing else. Other fasts may be partially restrictive, limiting only particular foods or substances.

Scriptures related to Fasting

Old Testament

The importance of fasting is seen in the number of positive references in the Old and New Testaments. There are over 30 positive examples, commands, and instructions in Scripture about fasting.

Judges 20:26 - Israel fasted for victory in war.
1 Sam. 1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son
1 Sam. 7:6--Israel fasted in repentance
1 Sam. 31:13--Men of Jabeshgilead fasted in mourning for Saul
2 Sam. 1:12--David and his men fasted in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel
2 Sam. 12--David fasted for mercy upon his child
1 Kings 21:27--Ahab fasted for mercy
2 Chron. 20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection
Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the Jews fasted for help and protection
Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help
Nehemiah 9:1-2--Israel fasting in mourning and repentance
Esther 4:16--Esther and friends fasted for victory
Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
Psalm 35:13-14--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Psalm 69: 10-11--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God
Jeremiah 36:9--Israel fasted for mercy
Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15--God commanded fasting and repentance
Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy
Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom

New Testament

Matthew 4:2--Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness
Matthew 6:17-18--Jesus promised that the Father would bless fasting
Matthew 9:14-15--Jesus said his disciples would fast
Matthew 17:21--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds
Mark 9:29--Fasting is necessary for overcoming demonic powers
Luke 2:37--Fasting was part of Anna’s service to God
Acts 13:2--Fasting was part of the ministry of the workers at Antioch
Acts 13:3--Ordination was accompanied by fasting Acts 14:23-- Ordination was accompanied by fasting
1 Corinthians 7:5--Fasting and prayer is the only proper reason for abstinence from the marital relationship
2 Corinthians 6:5--Fasting was one way Paul approved himself as a minister of Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 11:27--Paul fasted often

Fasting omitted form new versions

Acts 10:30

Here we read in the King James Version and most of the old Protestant translations in various languages that Cornelius was fasting and praying:

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, (KJV)
And Cornelius said, Foure daies agoe I was fasting vntill this houre, and at the ninth houre I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, (1611 KJV)
And Cornelius sayde: This daye now .iiii. dayes I fasted and at the nynthe houre I prayde in my housse: and beholde a man stode before me in bright clothynge (1526 Tyndale)
And Cornelie seide, To dai foure daies in to this our, Y was preiynge and fastynge in the nynthe our in myn hous. And lo! a man stood bifore me in a whijt cloth, and seide, (1382 Wycliffe)

The new versions, following the lead of the Westcott-Hort Greek text, removes the word fasting:

Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying --- ------- at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me (NIV)
Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying --- ------- in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, (NASV)
Cornelius said, "Four days ago at about this time, midafternoon, I was home praying --- -------. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. (THE MESSAGE)
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. (NLT)
And Cornelius said, This is now the fourth day since about this time I was observing the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon) of prayer --- ------- in my lodging place; [suddenly] a man stood before me in dazzling apparel, (AMP)
And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying --- ------- in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing (ESV)
Cornelius answered: Four days ago at about three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying --- ------- at home. Suddenly a man in bright clothes stood in front of me. (CEV)
And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer --- ------- in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, (1901 ASV)
Cornelius said, "Four days ago at three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying --- ------- here in my house. All at once, I saw a man standing in front of me. He had on bright clothes. (NLV)
Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying --- ------- in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me (HCSB)
Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was praying --- ------- in my house at this same time -- three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, there was a man standing before me wearing shining clothes. (NCV)
And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer --- ------- in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, (RSV)
Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer --- ------- in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, (NAB-Roman Catholic)
And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying --- ------- in my house, at the ninth hour, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel, and said: (DOUAY-RHEIMS Roman Catholic )
Accordingly Cornelius said: “Four days ago counting from this hour I was praying --- ------- in my house at the ninth hour, when, look! a man in bright raiment stood before me (NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses)

The King James Version 2023 Edition New Testament is now complete and in print format here.

Internal Links

Old Testament - New Testament KJV 1900

New Testament KJV 2016

Scrivener's 1894 Textus Receptus

2016 Urdu New Testament (TR Based)

Russian Synodal Version (TR Based)

Reina Valera Gómez Spanish (TR Based)

Marginal Notes in the 1611 Authorized Version

Ephesians 3:9

Why We Should Not Passover Easter 1, 2, & 3

Will Kinney

List of TR/KJV based foreign bibles

List of New Testament minuscules

List of New Testament lectionaries

List of New Testament Papyri

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