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 Les disciples de Jean et les pharisiens jeûnaient. Ils vinrent dire à Jésus: Pourquoi les disciples de Jean et ceux des pharisiens jeûnent-ils, tandis que tes disciples ne jeûnent point?