"to fast, Mt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:15"
Definition and meaning
to fast, Mt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:15
In the original Greek the word is written: νηστεύω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of nesteuo (G3522) across the King James Bible.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
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.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
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.
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
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Common questions
Strong's G3522 (nesteuo) is a Greek word that means: to fast, Mt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:15 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word nesteuo (G3522) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3522 is nesteuo, a Greek word defined as: to fast, Mt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:15. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
nesteuo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.