New International Version Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” New Living Translation One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” English Standard Version Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Berean Standard Bible Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Berean Literal Bible Then the disciples of John come to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but Your disciples do not fast?” King James Bible Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? New King James Version Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” New American Standard Bible Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” NASB 1995 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” NASB 1977 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” Legacy Standard Bible Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” Amplified Bible Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Jesus, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast [as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?” Berean Annotated Bible Then John’s (YHWH is gracious) disciples (pupils) came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast? Christian Standard Bible Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then John’s disciples came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” American Standard Version Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? Contemporary English Version Some followers of John the Baptist came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees often go without eating, while your disciples never do?" English Revised Version Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? GOD'S WORD® Translation Then John's disciples came to Jesus. They said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often but your disciples never do?" Good News Translation Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast at all?" International Standard Version Then John's disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?" NET Bible Then John's disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?" New Heart English Bible Then John's disciples came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" Webster's Bible Translation Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples fast not? Weymouth New Testament At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” World English Bible Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen the disciples of John come to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, and Your disciples do not fast?” Berean Literal Bible Then the disciples of John come to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but Your disciples do not fast?” Young's Literal Translation Then come to him do the disciples of John, saying, 'Wherefore do we and the Pharisees fast much, and thy disciples fast not?' Smith's Literal Translation Then came to him the disciples of John; saying, Wherefore do we and the Pharisees fast much, and thy disciples fast not? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples do not fast? Catholic Public Domain Version Then the disciples of John drew near to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast frequently, but your disciples do not fast?” New American Bible Then the disciples of John approached him and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?” New Revised Standard Version Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the disciples of John came up to him, and said, Why do we and the Pharisees fast a great deal, and your disciples never fast? Aramaic Bible in Plain English Then the disciples of Yohannan approached him, and they were saying, “Why are we and the Pharisees fasting much, and your disciples are not fasting?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples fast not? Godbey New Testament Then the disciples of John come to Him, saying, Wherefore do we and the Pharisee fast, but thy disciples do not fast? Haweis New Testament Then came unto him disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees keep many fasts, but thy disciples fast not? Mace New Testament Then John's disciples came to him and said, why do the Pharisees, as well as we, observe so many fasts, and your disciples keep none? Weymouth New Testament At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" Worrell New Testament Then came to Him the disciples of John, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Thy disciples fast not?" Worsley New Testament Then also come to Him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the pharisees fast much, but thy disciples do not fast? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Questions about Fasting13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 14At that time John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.… Cross References Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, Matthew 11:2 Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples John 3:25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing. Mark 2:18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Zechariah 8:19 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.” but Your disciples do not fast?” Mark 2:19-20 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Luke 5:34-35 Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Luke 5:33-35 Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ / The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.” John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: / a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, / a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, … Isaiah 58:3-5 “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? Zechariah 8:19 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.” Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Treasury of Scripture Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples fast not? the disciples. Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Why. Matthew 6:16 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. Matthew 11:18,19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil… Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? Jump to Previous Disciples Fast Food Frequently Jesus John John's Oft Often Pharisees Time WhereforeJump to Next Disciples Fast Food Frequently Jesus John John's Oft Often Pharisees Time WhereforeMatthew 9 1. Jesus heals a paralytic9. calls Matthew from the receipt of custom; 10. eats with tax collectors and sinners; 14. defends his disciples for not fasting; 20. cures the sick woman; 23. raises Jairus' daughter from death; 27. gives sight to two blind men; 32. heals a mute man possessed of a demon; 36. and has compassion on the multitude. Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, John’s disciples remained committed to the ministry and practices associated with John the Baptist, who had called Israel to repentance in preparation for the Messiah. Their question shows that they regarded Jesus as a teacher able to explain the differences between His ministry and their own. Mat 11:2 Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ,… “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, Fasting commonly expressed mourning, repentance, humility, or earnest prayer. The Pharisees observed regular fasts as part of their religious discipline, and John’s disciples likely followed a similar pattern shaped by John’s austere ministry. Luk 18:12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ but Your disciples do not fast?” Jesus’ disciples did not follow the same customary fasting pattern because His presence marked the arrival of the promised kingdom. Their concern set the stage for Jesus to explain that His ministry was like a wedding celebration: while the Bridegroom was present, it was a time for joy rather than mourning. Mrk 2:19-20 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast…”… Persons / Places / Events 1. Disciples of JohnFollowers of John the Baptist, who practiced fasting as a sign of repentance and devotion. 2. Jesus Central figure in the New Testament, whose teachings and actions often challenged traditional Jewish practices. 3. Pharisees A Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions, including regular fasting. 4. Fasting A religious practice involving abstaining from food, often associated with mourning, repentance, or seeking God's guidance. Teaching Points Understanding Fasting in ContextFasting is not merely a ritual but a spiritual discipline meant to draw us closer to God. Jesus' response highlights the importance of understanding the purpose and timing of fasting. The Presence of Christ Jesus implies that His presence changes the dynamics of spiritual practices. When Christ is with us, our focus shifts from ritual to relationship. New Covenant Perspective Under the New Covenant, practices like fasting are transformed. They are not abolished but are given new meaning in light of Christ's work. Balance of Tradition and Relationship While traditions like fasting have value, they should not overshadow the personal relationship with Christ. Our spiritual practices should enhance, not hinder, our walk with Him. Discernment in Spiritual Practices Believers are called to discern the appropriateness of spiritual disciplines in their lives, ensuring they align with the teachings of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 9:14?2. How does Matthew 9:14 challenge our understanding of religious traditions and practices? 3. What does Jesus' response in Matthew 9:14 teach about fasting's purpose and timing? 4. How can we apply the principle of discernment from Matthew 9:14 in our lives? 5. What Old Testament practices relate to the question posed in Matthew 9:14? 6. How should Matthew 9:14 influence our approach to spiritual disciplines today? 7. Why did John's disciples question Jesus about fasting in Matthew 9:14? 8. How does Matthew 9:14 challenge traditional views on religious practices? 9. What is the significance of fasting in the context of Matthew 9:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 9? (14) The disciples of John.--The passage is interesting as showing (1) that the followers of the Baptist continued during our Lord's ministry to form a separate body (as in Matthew 11:2; Matthew 14:12); and (2) that they obeyed rules which he had given them, more or less after the pattern of those of the Pharisees. They had their own days of fasting (the context makes it probable that the feast in Matthew's house was held on one of them), their own forms of prayer (Luke 11:1). They, it would seem, acting with the Pharisees, and perhaps influenced by them, were perplexed at conduct so unlike that of the master they revered, and came therefore with their question. But they were, at least, not hypocrites, and they are answered therefore without the sternness which had marked the reply to their companions.Verses 14-17. - Christ's care for the free-dora of his disciples from ceremonial bondage. He teaches that the standpoint of the Baptist was preparatory (ch. 3.), and was not intended to be a permanent resting-place. Observe that of the three accounts St. Matthew's points out the most clearly that the objection originated with the disciples of John the Baptist. Perhaps St. Matthew found these possessing special influence in the part for which his Gospel was primarily intended. So also St. John thought it desirable to recall the teaching of the Master, that while he himself was the Bridegroom, the Baptist was only subordinate (John 3:29). On the survival of the teaching of John the Baptist, and the greater importance of its professed adherents during the apostolic age than is usually supposed, vide Bishop Lightfoot, 'Colossians,' p. 163, edit. 1875. Verse 14. - Then (τότε). In this case the close chronological connexion with the preceding incident is confirmed by the parallel passages (especially Luke). Came (come, Revised Version) to him. They move forward among the crowd, and draw near to him (προσέρχονται αὐτῷ). The disciples of John (vide supra), saying, Why (cf. ver. 11) do we and the Pharisees fast? (cf. Matthew 6:16, note, Schurer, II. 2. p. 118). Oft (πολλά); Textus Receptus, and Westcott and Hort margin, with all the versions and the great mass of the authorities. Yet probably to be omitted, with Westcott and Host, on the evidence of the Vatican manuscript, and the original hand of the Sinaitic. It may have arisen from a gloss on the πυκνά of Luke. But thy disciples fast not. The feast given by St. Matthew was evidently at the time of some fast observed by the stricter Jews. Matthew 9:14 captures a collision between old forms of devotion and the new reality ushered in by Jesus. John’s disciples, sincere yet puzzled, highlight how religious practice without understanding can miss the moment God is creating. Their question allows Jesus to teach that disciplines like fasting must align with His presence and purposes. True righteousness flows from relationship with the Bridegroom, joyfully expressed when He is near and soberly pursued when He is absent. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek At that time,Τότε (Tote) Adverb Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. John’s Ἰωάννου (Iōannou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. disciples μαθηταὶ (mathētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. came προσέρχονται (proserchontai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. to [Jesus] αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [and] asked, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Why is it that Διὰ (Dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Pharisees Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary. fast νηστεύομεν (nēsteuomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 3522: To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food. so often, πολλά (polla) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 4183: Much, many; often. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. Your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. disciples μαθηταί (mathētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. {do} not οὐ (ou) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. fast?” νηστεύουσιν (nēsteuousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3522: To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food. Additonal Resources Matthew 9:14 Blue Letter BibleMatthew 9:14 Bible Gateway Matthew 9:14 Bible.com Matthew 9:14 NIV |
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