12 Bible Verses About Lent

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
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Bible verses about lent

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about lent:

1. Joel 2:12 – “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
2. Matthew 6:16-18 – “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
3. Matthew 4:1-2 – “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
4. Luke 18:9-14 – “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
5. Isaiah 58:6-7 – “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
6. 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 – “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings.”

7. Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
8. Mark 1:12-13 – “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”
9. Romans 12:1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
10. Colossians 3:2 – “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
11. Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
12. James 4:8 – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

What does the bible say about lent?

The Bible does not explicitly mention Lent as a specific observance or tradition.

However, the concept of fasting, repentance, and self-denial are prevalent themes throughout the Bible.

Lent is often seen as a time of preparation and reflection leading up to Easter, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

It is a time for believers to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of humility, sincerity, and genuine repentance during this period of spiritual discipline.

Lent is a time to refocus on one’s relationship with God, seek forgiveness for sins, and grow in faith and obedience.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about lent?

1. Matthew 4:1-11 – This chapter describes Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness, which is often seen as a model for the season of Lent. It highlights the importance of self-discipline and resisting temptation.

2. Joel 2 – This chapter discusses the call to repentance and fasting in times of crisis. It emphasizes the need for spiritual renewal and turning back to God, which are key themes of Lent.

3. Isaiah 58 – This chapter addresses the true meaning of fasting and the importance of caring for the poor and oppressed. It challenges believers to engage in acts of justice and mercy during the Lenten season.

4. Luke 9:23-27 – In this chapter, Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship and the need to take up one’s cross daily. This passage reminds us of the sacrificial nature of Lent and the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

5. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 – This chapter discusses the importance of living a life of holiness and self-discipline. It encourages believers to be fully committed to God and to strive for spiritual growth during the Lenten season.

Ideas and concepts related to lent that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’

1. Fasting: Fasting is a common practice during Lent, where individuals abstain from certain foods or activities as a form of self-discipline and spiritual growth. In the Bible, fasting is often associated with repentance, seeking God’s guidance, and drawing closer to Him. It is a way to focus on prayer and reflection, similar to the purpose of Lent.

2. Temptation: Lent is a time for Christians to reflect on Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan. The Bible teaches that temptation is a part of the human experience, but through prayer, fasting, and reliance on God, we can resist temptation and grow stronger in our faith.

3. Sacrifice: Lent is a season of sacrifice, where Christians are encouraged to give up something meaningful to them as a way of drawing closer to God. Sacrifice is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament with the offering of sacrifices to atone for sin. Lent reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

4. Repentance: Lent is a time for reflection, confession, and repentance of sins. The Bible teaches that repentance is necessary for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Lent provides an opportunity for Christians to examine their hearts, seek forgiveness, and turn away from sinful behaviors.

Overall, the concepts related to Lent in the Bible emphasize the importance of self-discipline, spiritual growth, and drawing closer to God through prayer, fasting, sacrifice, and repentance. Lent serves as a time of preparation for Easter, where Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the victory over sin and death.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.