Fast: Fasting was a way to show humility and repentance before God (2 Samuel 12:16–23; Daniel 9:3). It also reminded the nation of their need to repent (Leviticus 16:29–31; Nehemiah 9:1). Some believed fasting would help bring the Messiah more quickly by purifying God’s people.
Jesus and his disciples did not fast (Matthew 11:18–19) This was a quiet but clear message: the Messiah had already come (see also 6:16).