In view here is the voluntary practice of private fasting (cf. Luke 18:12; Did. 8:1) and not the prescribed fasting associated with the great festivals of the Day of Atonement and New Year. This is the only place in the NT where fasting is actually taught. In the only other major reference to fasting in the Gospels, fasting is regarded as temporarily inappropriate (see Matt 9:14–15). The reference in the Pharisee’s prayer (Luke 18:12) is more negative than positive in its impact. In Luke-Acts, however,