Topical Bible: John: Teaches his Disciples to Fast

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In the New Testament, the practice of fasting is often associated with spiritual discipline and devotion. While the Gospels do not explicitly record John the Baptist teaching his disciples to fast, there are significant references that imply the practice was part of their spiritual regimen. John the Baptist, a pivotal prophetic figure, is known for his ascetic lifestyle and his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

Biblical Context

John the Baptist is introduced in the Gospels as a forerunner to Jesus, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. His lifestyle was marked by simplicity and self-denial, as described in Matthew 3:4: "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." This austere way of living suggests a commitment to spiritual disciplines, including fasting.

Fasting in the Time of John

The practice of fasting was well-established in Jewish tradition as a means of seeking God, expressing repentance, and preparing for significant spiritual events. In the context of John the Baptist, fasting would have been a natural extension of his call to repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. His disciples, following his example, likely engaged in fasting as a regular practice.

Scriptural References

In the Gospel of Matthew, a direct reference to the fasting practices of John's disciples is found. Matthew 9:14-15 states: "Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?' Jesus replied, 'Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'" This passage indicates that fasting was a recognized practice among John's disciples, contrasting with the behavior of Jesus' disciples during His earthly ministry.

Theological Implications

The inquiry by John's disciples highlights the significance of fasting as a spiritual discipline. It underscores the expectation of fasting as a normative practice for those seeking a deeper relationship with God. Jesus' response points to the appropriateness of fasting in certain spiritual contexts, particularly in times of longing and anticipation for God's presence.

John's Influence on Early Christian Fasting

John the Baptist's emphasis on repentance and preparation through practices like fasting had a lasting impact on early Christian communities. His call to a life of holiness and devotion set a precedent for the early Church, which continued to value fasting as a means of spiritual growth and readiness for the Lord's return.

Conclusion

While the Gospels do not provide a detailed account of John explicitly teaching his disciples to fast, the evidence of their fasting practices, as seen in their interaction with Jesus, suggests that fasting was an integral part of their spiritual discipline. John's life and ministry, characterized by asceticism and a call to repentance, naturally included fasting as a vital component of preparing for the coming Kingdom of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 5:33
And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but your eat and drink?
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Library

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, I.
... not for Me [689] ." And the Apostle John teaches us how ... looks down on [695] no one,
and teaches that no ... well-filled garners, and groaned over his abundant grape ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xii on the fast.htm

The Lenten Fast.
... of Transfiguration, and the want of such power in His disciples, who represent ... could
need no special seasons or exercises; but His example teaches us a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xiii the lenten fast.htm

John Chapter i. 34-51
... My brethren, if a father teaches a son who is to succeed him, and teaches him also
that he will have ... 8. "John stood, and two of his disciples." Behold two ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vii john chapter i.htm

Peter and John Examined by the Council.
... which the light of nature teaches; and we ... reason, the council dismissed Peter and
John, although they ... Christ requires no service from his disciples, for which ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture v peter and john.htm

John.
... The love of God in the sending of his Son to save ... and in truth; the fields ripening
for the harvest, John 4:1 ... Jesus teaches publicly in Galilee, 4:43-45 (comp. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 83 john.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... "And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and ... Jesus Christ
teaches the importance of prayer by His urgency to His disciples to pray. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/v jesus christ the divine.htm

John Chapter i. 32, 33
... are sojourners in a foreign land, and He teaches us to ... that baptizeth:" it was said,
in fact, to His ministers, by ... 6. Now this it was in Him that John saw, and ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vi john chapter i.htm

1 John ii. 19
... The Apostle John by no means denies such a possibility; he ... What the divine word here
teaches, is a law which ... themselves to the Lord, and to his purifying and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 19.htm

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... several days intervened between the address of John 6.and the ... Here it teaches the
lesson of patience, and is ... into the pit of ruin; and his disciples, no matter ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxv jesus fails to attend.htm

The Revelation of St. John the Divine
... genuineness of the Gospel which so clearly teaches {272} that ... of the Gospels (the
author is) John, one of ... At the instance of his fellow-disciples and bishops ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxv the revelation of.htm