Luke 5:34

KJV

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846},{G3361} Can ye {G1410} make {G4160} the children {G5207} of the bridechamber {G3567} fast {G3522}, while {G3739}{G1722} the bridegroom {G3566} is {G2076} with {G3326} them {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is still with them?

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them?

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 5:34, Jesus responds to a challenge from the religious leaders concerning His disciples' lack of fasting, contrasting their joyful fellowship with Him, the "bridegroom," against the somber practice of fasting. This statement serves as a foundational metaphor, subtly indicating the inauguration of a new spiritual season marked by the Messiah's presence, where celebration and joy are the appropriate responses, foreshadowing a time when fasting will indeed become relevant after His departure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, regarding His unconventional practices. Immediately preceding this, Jesus had called Levi (Matthew) to be a disciple and then dined with a large company of tax collectors and sinners, an act that drew sharp criticism from the religious elite who questioned His association with such individuals ([Luke 5:29-30](/luke/5-29-30 "Luke 5:29-30 - Levi's Feast and the Pharisees' Criticism")). The question about fasting, posed in [Luke 5:33](/luke/5-33 "Luke 5:33 - The Question about Fasting"), arises from their observation that John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees regularly fasted, while Jesus' disciples did not. Jesus' answer in Luke 5:34-35, followed by the parables of the new cloth and new wineskins in [Luke 5:36-38](/luke/5-36-38 "Luke 5:36-38 - Parables of the New and Old"), forms a cohesive argument for the distinct and revolutionary nature of His ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fasting was a significant spiritual discipline in ancient Judaism, practiced both communally (e.g., on the Day of Atonement, [Leviticus 16:29](/leviticus/16-29 "Leviticus 16:29 - Day of Atonement Fast")) and individually (e.g., by the Pharisees who fasted twice a week, [Luke 18:12](/luke/18-12 "Luke 18:12 - The Pharisee's Prayer")). It was typically associated with repentance, mourning, and seeking God's favor. Jewish weddings, by contrast, were periods of intense joy and celebration, often lasting for seven days. The "children of the bridechamber" (or wedding guests/friends of the bridegroom) were integral to these festivities, sharing in the joy and feasting. To fast during such a joyous occasion would be culturally incongruous and considered inappropriate, signifying a profound misunderstanding of the event's nature.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this passage is the **inauguration of the Messianic era** and the **joy of God's presence**. By implicitly identifying Himself as the "bridegroom," Jesus signals that His earthly ministry is a time of unprecedented spiritual celebration, akin to a wedding feast. This challenges the prevailing understanding of piety, suggesting that traditional forms of asceticism, while valuable in their season, are not fitting for the current moment of the Messiah's active presence. This theme flows into the subsequent parables of new wine and old wineskins ([Luke 5:36-38](/luke/5-36-38 "Luke 5:36-38 - Parables of New Cloth and New Wine")), which further emphasize that the new reality brought by Jesus cannot be contained within the old, rigid religious structures. The passage also highlights the **nature of discipleship**, emphasizing that following Jesus involves participating in His joy and understanding the unique season His ministry represents.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bridegroom (Greek, _nymphíos'_):** (G3566) This term refers to the groom in a wedding. In Jewish tradition, the bridegroom was the central figure of joy and celebration during the wedding festivities. Jesus' self-identification as the "bridegroom" is a profound theological statement, evoking rich Old Testament imagery where God is portrayed as the husband of Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 54:5](/isaiah/54-5 "Isaiah 54:5 - God as Husband of Israel"), [Hosea 2:19-20](/hosea/2-19-20 "Hosea 2:19-20 - God's Covenant with Israel")). It signifies His unique relationship with His people and the joyous, covenantal nature of His presence.
* **children of the bridechamber (Greek, _huiós tou nymphṓn'_):** (G5207, G3567) Literally "sons of the bridal room," this phrase refers to the close companions or friends of the bridegroom, who are present at the wedding celebration. Their primary role is to share in the bridegroom's joy and participate in the feasting. In this context, Jesus' disciples are identified as these privileged guests, implying that their association with Jesus is one of intimate fellowship and celebration, making fasting inappropriate for the current season.
* **fast (Greek, _nēsteúō'_):** (G3522) This verb means "to abstain from food (religiously)." Fasting was a common practice in Judaism, often associated with mourning, repentance, or intense prayer. Jesus' question highlights the incongruity of engaging in a solemn, self-denying practice like fasting during a time of such profound joy and the presence of the Messiah, the ultimate source of spiritual feasting.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introductory phrase positions Jesus' words as a direct response to the challenge posed by the Pharisees and scribes in [Luke 5:33](/luke/5-33 "Luke 5:33 - The Question about Fasting"). It emphasizes that Jesus is not avoiding the question but directly addressing the theological implications of His ministry and the practices of His disciples.
* **"Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast,"**: This is a rhetorical question, implying a strong negative answer. It draws on a culturally understood scenario: it would be unthinkable and inappropriate to impose fasting on wedding guests during the celebration. The "children of the bridechamber" are Jesus' disciples, and their current state is one of joy due to the presence of the "bridegroom."
* **"while the bridegroom is with them?"**: This clause provides the crucial reason for the disciples' non-fasting. Jesus implicitly identifies Himself as the "bridegroom," signifying His divine authority and the unique, joyous nature of His earthly ministry. His presence transforms the spiritual landscape from one of solemn anticipation or mourning into one of celebration and spiritual feasting.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:34 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Jesus implicitly identifies Himself as the "bridegroom" and His disciples as the "children of the bridechamber." This metaphor is rich with Old Testament imagery, where God is often portrayed as the bridegroom and Israel as His bride, thus elevating Jesus' identity and mission. The verse also functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, "Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?" This question is not meant to elicit an answer but to make a forceful point, highlighting the absurdity of fasting during a time of profound joy and celebration brought by the Messiah's presence. Furthermore, the entire scenario is a form of **Symbolism**, where the wedding feast symbolizes the joyous inauguration of the Kingdom of God through Jesus' ministry, contrasting sharply with the somber practices of the old covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:34 profoundly shapes our understanding of the nature of the Kingdom of God and the appropriate response to the presence of Christ. It asserts that the arrival of the Messiah is not a time for sorrow or asceticism, but for unparalleled joy and celebration. This joy is not merely emotional but theological, stemming from the direct, personal presence of God's Anointed One among His people. It signifies a fundamental shift from the old covenant's emphasis on law, ritual, and a yearning for the Messiah, to the new covenant's reality of grace, fulfillment, and the Messiah's actual presence. While spiritual disciplines like fasting have their place, Jesus teaches that they must be understood within the context of the spiritual season, emphasizing that true piety is aligned with the reality of God's redemptive work.

* [John 3:29](/john/3-29 "John the Baptist's Testimony about the Bridegroom")
* [Matthew 9:15](/matthew/9-15 "Jesus' Response on Fasting")
* [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church as His Bride")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:34 invites us to consider the profound joy that should characterize the Christian life, especially when we are actively experiencing the presence of Christ. Just as wedding guests would not fast in the bridegroom's presence, so too, believers should embrace the spiritual feasting that comes from fellowship with Jesus. This doesn't negate the value of spiritual disciplines like fasting, but it contextualizes them. There are seasons for everything, as [Ecclesiastes 3:1](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3:1 - A Time for Everything") reminds us, and the primary season of Christ's active presence is one of joy and celebration. This verse challenges us to examine our spiritual practices: are they born out of a legalistic duty, or do they flow from a joyful response to the Bridegroom? It encourages us to cultivate a deep, celebratory relationship with Jesus, understanding that the essence of our faith is good news, not burdensome obligation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus as the "bridegroom" impact your perception of His relationship with you and the Church?**
* **In what ways do you currently experience the "joy of the bridegroom's presence" in your daily life and spiritual practices?**
* **How can we discern the appropriate "season" for spiritual disciplines like fasting versus seasons of spiritual celebration in our walk with Christ?**
* **What might it look like to live a life characterized by the joy of Christ's presence, even amidst life's challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus' disciples not fast, unlike the disciples of John or the Pharisees?**

Answer: Jesus explains that His disciples did not fast because He, the "bridegroom," was physically present with them. In Jewish culture, a wedding was a time of immense joy and celebration, not mourning or fasting. Jesus was implicitly identifying Himself as the long-awaited Messiah, whose arrival initiated a new era of spiritual feasting and gladness. Therefore, for His disciples to fast during His earthly ministry would have been incongruous with the joyous reality of His presence, much like asking wedding guests to fast while the groom is still with them. He later indicates in [Luke 5:35](/luke/5-35 "Luke 5:35 - When the Bridegroom is Taken Away") that fasting would be appropriate after He was "taken away."

**Who are the "children of the bridechamber" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "children of the bridechamber" (Greek: _huios tou nymphonos_) refers to the close companions, friends, or attendants of the bridegroom at a Jewish wedding. They were an integral part of the wedding festivities, sharing in the groom's joy and participating in the celebration. In this context, Jesus uses the term to refer to His disciples, emphasizing their intimate relationship with Him and the celebratory nature of their current experience in His presence.

**What does the "bridegroom" symbolize in this passage?**

Answer: The "bridegroom" is a powerful symbol that Jesus uses to refer to Himself. In the Old Testament, God is often portrayed as the husband/bridegroom of Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 54:5](/isaiah/54-5 "Isaiah 54:5 - God as Husband of Israel"), [Jeremiah 2:2](/jeremiah/2-2 "Jeremiah 2:2 - Israel's Devotion to God as a Bride")). By identifying Himself as the bridegroom, Jesus is making a profound claim to His divine identity and authority, signaling that His presence marks the inauguration of the Messianic age—a time of ultimate joy and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. It also foreshadows the future relationship between Christ and His Church, often depicted as the Bride of Christ in the New Testament (e.g., [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church as Bride")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:34 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' identity as the divine Bridegroom, whose presence inaugurates a new covenant of grace and joy. This metaphor extends beyond His earthly ministry to encompass His redemptive work and future return. His death, resurrection, and ascension, though marking the period when the "bridegroom is taken away" and fasting becomes appropriate ([Luke 5:35](/luke/5-35 "Luke 5:35 - When the Bridegroom is Taken Away")), paradoxically pave the way for an even greater, eternal celebration. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus, the Bridegroom, secures His bride, the Church, making her holy and blameless before God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The joy of His initial presence foreshadows the ultimate, unending joy of the "marriage supper of the Lamb" in heaven, where Christ will fully unite with His redeemed people ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Thus, Luke 5:34 not only explains the present joy of His disciples but also points forward to the glorious consummation of His redemptive plan, where sorrow will be no more, and eternal feasting in His presence will be the unending reality for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 3:29

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Matthew 22:2

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Revelation 19:7

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Revelation 19:9

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Song Of Solomon 2:6

His left hand [is] under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

Song Of Solomon 2:7

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.

Song Of Solomon 3:10

He made the pillars thereof [of] silver, the bottom thereof [of] gold, the covering of it [of] purple, the midst thereof being paved [with] love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.