I fast twice in the week
I fast twice in the week (Luke 18:12). There is more implied in this than we may at first be aware of. All the stricter Pharisees observed the weekly fasts, namely every Monday and Thursday. On the former day they fasted in memory of Moses receiving on that day, as their tradition taught, the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18). On the latter, in memory of his casting them out of his hand when he saw the people dancing around the golden calf. On these days they took no food at all until 3 in the afternoon, the hour at which they began to offer the evening sacrifice in the temple. Until that hour it was their custom to remain in the temple, in some of the corners, rooms, or courts of it, so that they might be ready to assist at all the sacrifices and to join in all the public prayers. The time between they were accustomed to use partly in private addresses to God, partly in searching the Scriptures, in reading the law and the prophets, and in meditating on them. This much is implied in, I fast twice in the week (Luke 18:12), the second branch of the righteousness of a Pharisee.
1771 text
4. I fast twice in the week. There is more implied in this, than we may at first be sensible of. All the stricter Pharisees observed the weekly fasts; namely, every Monday and Thursday. On the former day, they fasted in memory of Moses receiving on that day (as their tradition taught) the two tables of stone written by the finger of God: on the latter, in memory of his casting them out of his hand, when he saw the people dancing round the golden calf. On these days, they took no sustenance at all till three in the afternoon; the hour at which they began to offer up the evening sacrifice in the temple. Till that hour it was their custom to remain in the temple, in some of the corners, apartments or courts thereof; that they might be ready to assist at all the sacrifices, and to join in all the public prayers. The time between, they were accustomed to employ, partly in private addresses to God, partly in searching the scriptures, in reading the law and the prophets, and in meditating thereon. Thus much is implied in, I fast twice in the week, the second branch of the righteousness of a Pharisee.