### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb νηστεύω (nēsteúō), Strong's `{{G3522}}`, is derived from the root νῆστις (nēstis), which means "not eating" or "fasting." Its core meaning is "to abstain from food." However, the New Testament usage of νηστεύω carries a significant semantic nuance: it almost exclusively refers to a *religious* or *spiritual* fast. This implies a purposeful, voluntary act of self-denial for spiritual reasons, rather than merely going without food due to necessity or lack. The act is typically undertaken with a specific spiritual intention, such as prayer, repentance, mourning, or seeking divine guidance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
νηστεύω appears in the New Testament primarily in the Gospels and Acts, illustrating its practice and theological significance:
* **Matthew 6:16-18**: Jesus instructs His disciples on the proper manner of fasting, emphasizing humility and sincerity before God rather than outward display. He warns against making a show of one's fasting to be seen by others, promising reward from the Father who sees in secret. This passage is foundational for understanding the *motive* behind the act.
* **Matthew 9:14-15**: John the Baptist's disciples question Jesus about why His disciples do not fast, while they and the Pharisees do. Jesus responds with the parable of the wedding guests, stating that they cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, but will fast when he is taken away. This indicates that fasting is appropriate in times of sorrow, longing, or intense spiritual need, rather than celebration.
* **Mark 2:18-20**: This passage parallels [[Matthew 9:14-15]], reinforcing the context-dependent nature of fasting, linking it to the absence of the bridegroom.
* **Luke 5:33-35**: Another parallel account, further emphasizing that fasting is a discipline suited for particular spiritual seasons of longing or distress.
* **Luke 18:12**: The self-righteous Pharisee in Jesus' parable boasts, "I fast twice a week," illustrating how the practice of νηστεύω could be corrupted into a means of self-justification or outward piety, contrasting sharply with the humble tax collector.
* **Acts 13:2**: The church in Antioch is described as νηστεύω and praying when the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. This demonstrates corporate fasting as a spiritual discipline for discerning God's will and commissioning ministry.
* **Acts 14:23**: Paul and Barnabas, after appointing elders in every church, commend them to the Lord "with prayer and νηστεύω." This highlights the role of fasting in serious spiritual decisions and the establishment of leadership within the nascent church.
* **Acts 27:33**: In a non-religious context, Paul encourages the sailors and soldiers on the shipwrecked vessel to eat, noting that they had gone without food for fourteen days. While not a religious fast, it uses νηστεύω in its more literal sense of prolonged abstinence from food due to circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The verb νηστεύω is closely related to other terms and practices:
* **νηστεία (nēsteia) `{{G3521}}`**: This is the noun form, meaning "a fast" or "fasting." It refers to the act itself (e.g., "they kept a fast"). νηστεύω is the verb "to fast."
* **νῆστις (nēstis)**: The adjectival root, meaning "not eating" or "fasting."
* **Prayer**: In the New Testament, νηστεύω is almost invariably associated with prayer (e.g., [[Acts 13:2]], [[Acts 14:23]]). Fasting is not an end in itself but a means to intensify prayer, deepen spiritual focus, and seek God's face.
* **Repentance and Humiliation**: In the Old Testament, fasting (Hebrew: `{{H6685}}` *tsûm*) was often a sign of national or individual repentance, mourning, and humbling oneself before God. While νηστεύω is a Greek term, the underlying theological connection to repentance often carries over.
* **Discernment and Guidance**: The instances in Acts show fasting as a practice undertaken when seeking divine guidance for crucial decisions, such as commissioning missionaries or appointing church leaders.
### Theological Significance
The practice of νηστεύω carries profound theological significance in the New Testament:
* **Spiritual Discipline and Devotion**: Fasting is presented as a spiritual discipline that helps believers subdue the flesh and focus their attention more intensely on God. It signifies a deeper level of devotion and a prioritization of spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.
* **Expression of Dependence**: By voluntarily abstaining from food, believers express their profound dependence on God for all things, acknowledging that true sustenance comes from Him, not merely from physical provisions. It is a tangible act of trust and reliance.
* **Preparation for Ministry and Decision-Making**: The early church's use of νηστεύω before significant ministry initiatives or leadership appointments underscores its role as a spiritual preparation. It signifies a serious, consecrated approach to God's work, seeking His specific anointing and direction.
* **Motive and Sincerity**: Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 6:16-18]] is crucial for understanding the ethical dimension of νηστεύω. The act itself is less important than the heart behind it. True fasting is done in secret before God, motivated by genuine desire for Him, not for human recognition or self-righteousness.
* **Contextual Appropriateness**: Jesus' response to John's disciples (e.g., [[Matthew 9:14-15]]) indicates that fasting is not a rigid, universally applicable command for all seasons. Instead, it is particularly fitting for times of spiritual longing, sorrow, intense seeking, or when the "Bridegroom is taken away," signifying a period of urgency or absence.
### Summary
The Greek verb νηστεύω (nēsteúō) denotes the religious act of abstaining from food. Beyond its literal meaning, it consistently refers in the New Testament to a spiritual discipline undertaken for various devotional purposes. It is frequently associated with prayer, serving as a means to intensify spiritual focus, express profound dependence on God, and seek divine guidance for critical decisions, as exemplified by the early church's practice before commissioning missionaries or appointing elders. Jesus' teachings highlight the paramount importance of sincere motive in νηστεύω, cautioning against performative displays and emphasizing that true fasting is an intimate act of worship directed towards God alone. Furthermore, His words clarify that νηστεύω is a contextual discipline, particularly appropriate for seasons of spiritual longing, sorrow, or earnest seeking, rather than a perpetual obligation. Thus, νηστεύω encapsulates a powerful spiritual practice of self-denial and focused devotion, aimed at drawing closer to God and discerning His will.
TRV