In the Old Testament there are many people who fasted for a wide variety of reasons.  Prophets like Moses, Kings like David, Queens like Esther, and Scribes like Ezra all fasted as a way to seek the Lord in the times of their distress.  While much fasting was being done in the Old Testament, there is actually only one time every year, at the day of Atonement, that the Lord required His people to fast.  Groups like the Pharisees saw this command and the examples in the Old Testament and determined they were going to be holier by doing much more fasting than was commanded or what they saw God’s people before them perform. Once again, Jesus saw through the charade.  He knew they really weren’t seeking His Father.