This fasting was an annual obligation on the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament. But in Jesus’ time, fasting was more common as a sign of penance, repentance, and abstinence. Thus, the Pharisees fasted two days a week. One would only have a dry piece of bread with a sip of water each day.
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”