And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
Parallel translations
- WEB They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”
- BSB Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”
- NKJV Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”
- NASB And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”
- NLT One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Critics ask why Jesus' disciples feast while others fast. The question contrasts his joyful ministry with established religious practice.
Overview
John's disciples and the Pharisees observed regular fasts, so Jesus' disciples' feasting seemed irreverent. The question assumes that devout people should be marked by abstinence. Jesus answers by revealing that his presence brings a time of joy, like a wedding, which reorders the place of fasting.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Matt 9:14–17Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
- Mark 2:18–22And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
- John 3:25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
- Luke 18:12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
- Luke 20:47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
- Luke 11:1And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
- Mark 12:40Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
- Isa 58:3–6Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
- Matt 6:5–6And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
- John 1:35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
- Acts 9:11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
- Isa 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
- Zech 7:6And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
- Rom 10:2–3For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
- Luke 7:34–35The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
- Matt 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
- Prov 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 5:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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