Mark 2:18

¶ And 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?

And {G2532} the disciples {G3101} of John {G2491} and {G2532} of the Pharisees {G5330} used {G2258} to fast {G3522}: and {G2532} they come {G2064} and {G2532} say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Why do {G1302}{G3522} the disciples {G3101} of John {G2491} and {G2532} of the Pharisees {G5330} fast {G3522}, but {G1161} thy {G4674} disciples {G3101} fast {G3522} not {G3756}?

Also Yochanan's talmidim and the P'rushim were fasting; and they came and asked Yeshua, "Why is it that Yochanan's talmidim and the talmidim of the P'rushim fast, but your talmidim don't fast?"

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?”

And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Commentary

Mark 2:18 KJV presents a pivotal moment where Jesus' practices are challenged by religious observers, highlighting the fundamental differences between the old religious order and the new reality He inaugurates.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' controversial act of eating with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15), further drawing the attention and criticism of the religious establishment. Fasting was a deeply ingrained spiritual discipline in Jewish tradition, particularly for the Pharisees, who often fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12). John the Baptist's disciples also practiced regular fasting, aligning with his ascetic lifestyle that prepared people for the coming Messiah. The question posed to Jesus — "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?" — reveals a concern for religious conformity and a misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Fasting: Fasting was traditionally associated with repentance, mourning, and earnest prayer, often during times of national or personal distress. The questioners expected all devout individuals and their followers to observe such practices.
  • The Presence of the Bridegroom: Jesus’ subsequent answer (in Mark 2:19-20) uses the metaphor of a wedding feast. His presence among them was like the arrival of the bridegroom, a time for celebration and joy, not for solemn fasting. This signifies that the Messiah’s arrival brings a season of joy and fulfillment.
  • New Wine, New Wineskins: This inquiry sets the stage for Jesus' famous parables of the new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins (Mark 2:21-22). These parables illustrate that His ministry and the Kingdom He brings are fundamentally new and cannot simply be patched onto or contained within the rigid structures and traditions of the old covenant. The old forms cannot fully contain the new spiritual reality He offers.
  • Joy vs. Legalism: Jesus' ministry was characterized by grace, healing, and fellowship, contrasting sharply with the legalistic and often burdensome religious practices of the Pharisees. His disciples' lack of fasting underscored that His presence brought liberation and joy, not additional burdens.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "fast" is nēsteuō (νηστεύω), meaning to abstain from food, often for religious or spiritual reasons. The question implies that fasting was a universally accepted mark of piety, and the absence of it among Jesus' disciples was seen as a deviation from expected religious behavior.

Practical Application

This passage encourages believers to understand the spirit behind religious practices rather than merely adhering to the letter of the law. While fasting remains a valuable spiritual discipline for Christians today, its purpose should align with the season and the leading of the Holy Spirit, not simply out of ritualistic obligation or comparison with others. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that His presence brings joy and freedom, and our spiritual disciplines should flow from a living relationship with Him, recognizing the new covenant He established through His life, death, and resurrection. It challenges us to discern when to feast and when to fast, always with an eye toward glorifying God and growing in grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 18:12

    I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

  • Matthew 6:18

    That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

  • Matthew 9:14

    ¶ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

  • Matthew 9:17

    Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

  • 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.

  • Luke 5:33

    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?

  • Luke 5:39

    No man also having drunk old [wine] straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
← Back