Comparative Theology · Common Ground
Jesus fasted forty days
In short
- 1.Matthew 4:2 records a forty-day fast.
- 2.Moses (PBUH) and Elijah (PBUH) fast for forty days too.
- 3.Muslims are the community that still fasts in this way.
The claim being examined
The Gospels open Jesus's (PBUH) ministry with a forty-day fast in the wilderness.
The Islamic position
Fasting is a pillar of Islam, and Muslims fast the month of Ramadan every year following the same prophetic practice.
Analysis
Fasting is continuous across the Abrahamic tradition: Moses (PBUH) in Exodus 34:28, Elijah (PBUH) in 1 Kings 19:8, Jesus (PBUH) in Matthew 4:2. The Qur'an frames Ramadan as prescribed for earlier communities too.
From the Qur'an
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
yāayyuhā alladhīna āmanū kutiba ʿalaykumu l-ṣiyāmu kamā kutiba ʿalā alladhīna min qablikum laʿallakum tattaqūna
O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become mindful of God.
From the Bible
nesteusas hemeras tesserakonta
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Read it in their BibleMoses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water.
Read it in their BibleSources
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