Matthew 4:2

ὕστερον ἐπείνασεν. The words imply that the particular temptations named were offered at the end of the forty days during which he had fasted. But the parallel accounts represent the temptation as enduring throughout the whole period: ἦν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ … πειραζόμενος (Mark); ἤγετο ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ πειραζόμενος (Luke).

So far as fasting rests on the facts of human nature it may be regarded as (1) a result of sorrow, (α) either the natural sorrow for the loss of those we love, or (β) sorrow for sin—contrition. (2) The effect of deep absorption. (3) A means to secure self-mastery and a test of it. Such signs and natural uses of it are deepened and sanctified by the example of Christ.

2. The service consisted in reading the Law and the Prophets by those who were called upon by the ‘Angel of the Church,’ and in prayers offered up by the minister for the people; the people responding ‘Amen’ as with us.