Why did Jesus fast in the wilderness?

Question

In Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11, the Gospels record that Jesus fasts in the wilderness for 40 days. My understanding is that fasting is linked with mourning. Why then did Jesus fast for 40 days in the wilderness? Also, why 40 days as opposed to 1,7, or 21 etc...? What is the significance of this number?

Answer 1

There have been instances when fasting was used as a tool to gain spiritual strength. When the disciples of Christ were unable to cast out a spirit, they take part in the following discussion recorded in Matthew 17:19-21 (KJV)

¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

²⁰ And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

²¹ Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

We see here that fasting seems to have been necessary to give the disciples the spiritual fortitude required to cast out the vexing spirit.

Also, fasting is a method used to draw closer to God and seek answers. For example, in Daniel 9:3 (KJV):

³ And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

So it may be that Christ spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness to receive spiritual strength for the coming temptation, ministry and crucifixion ahead, and draw closer to God the Father to seek answers.

Answer 2

The earliest story of Jesus going into the wilderness occurs in Mark 1:13. Adam Winn (Mark and the Elijah-Elisha Narrative) says that all the details of Jesus' temptation narrative find parallels in the wilderness experiences of Elijah. Both Elijah and Jesus are in the wilderness for forty days, both are tempted, both are attended by angels and both are in the presence of wild animals. In the case of Elijah:

1 Kings 19:5,8: And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat... And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

This also brings into play another allusion, to Moses when he fasted for 40 days while he wrote the words of the Ten Commandments on tablets:

Exodus 34:28: And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

I notice a close parallel to this event later in the gospel. Just as this allusion to Elijah and Moses follows the baptism of Jesus and the voice of God from heaven (Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased), so Mark makes the disciples privileged to see Jesus talking to Elijah and Moses at the Transfiguration and hearing the voice of God from heaven (This is my beloved Son: hear him). The baptismal events and the temptation in the wilderness introduce the new reader to the mission of Jesus, then the events surrounding the Transfiguration confirm this.

Nearly all New Testament scholars accept Mark to have been a source for Matthew and Luke. Adam Winn says (The Purpose of Mark's Gospel) that in the first eight years of this century, at least eight significant critical commentaries on Mark’s Gospel have been published; all eight assume Markan priority as a starting point. So Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11 are based on the Markan account, with some details added regarding the nature of Jesus' temptations.

Answer 3

This also brings into play another allusion, to Moses when he fasted for 40 days while he wrote the words of the Ten Commandments on tablets, Dick Harfield:

Exodus 34:28: And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. Mat 11:19

Exact. Jesus came eating bread and drinking wine, unlike John the Baptist. The number forty for fasting in the desert, is a detachment of the flesh from Jesus of his generation, to start the ministry.

Answer 4

Adding to Dick Harfield's and Andrew NC's beautiful answers :

• There is a limit to how long a man can survive without eating, and forty days is cutting it close.

• In forty days, God vanquished all sinful flesh in the time of Noah. So also Christ subdues His human flesh by a period of forty days of fasting.

Answer 5

What is the significance of number 40?

The number 40 stands for pregnancy, because a woman is pregnant for 40 weeks.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but can also be born in us.

Gal 4:19 (NIV) "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you".

Jesus said that his disciples would fast when he was removed from them.

Mat 9:14,15 (NIV) "Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast".

Gal 5:24 (NIV) Paul: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires".

1 Cor 9:27 (NIV) "... I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave ..."

1 Cor (9:27 (DRB) Paul: "... I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection ..."

1 Cor 9:27 (WEB) Paul: "... I beat my body and bring it into submission ..."