33And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink." [5:34] And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? [5:35] But days will come — and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
LUK 5:33-35
Questions about Fasting
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish practice, fasting was a deeply ingrained religious discipline, often tied to mourning, repentance, or preparation for divine intervention. The Pharisees and John the Baptist’s disciples observed regular fasts, aligning with Jewish piety and communal identity. Fasting was also a public act, signaling devotion and humility before God. Jesus’ response, however, shifts the focus from ritual observance to the presence of the bridegroom—a metaphor for Himself. In Jewish tradition, the wedding feast symbolized joy, celebration, and eschatological hope. By identifying Himself as the bridegroom, Jesus frames His ministry as a time of festivity, not mourning. The removal of the bridegroom, hinted at with (taken away), foreshadows His impending departure, likely understood by His audience as a reference to death. This would shift the disciples’ practice from celebration to fasting, aligning with Jewish customs of mourning. The contrast highlights the unique nature of Jesus’ presence and the temporary suspension of traditional fasting practices during His ministry.
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How other translations render this
LUK 5:33
- KJV
- 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?
- BSB
- Then they said to Him, “Johnʼs disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”
- Koinōnos
- And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.
LUK 5:34
- KJV
- And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
- BSB
- Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them?
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?
LUK 5:35
- KJV
- But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
- BSB
- But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
- Koinōnos
- But days will come — and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 5:33
- why:The word translated 'disciple' here refers to a learner or pupil, someone who follows the teachings and example of a master, not merely a student in a general sense.
- often:The term used here for 'prayers' specifically denotes an earnest entreaty or petition, often arising from a sense of need or want, rather than general prayer or worship.
LUK 5:34
- of the:The word translated 'bridegroom' refers to the groom at a wedding, and by extension, the wedding celebration itself or the wedding guests, implying a time of joy and feasting.
LUK 5:35
- may be taken away:The phrase 'may be taken away' implies a forceful or definitive removal, suggesting an event that will certainly happen and mark a significant change.