Matthew 9:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} came {G4334} to him {G846} the disciples {G3101} of John {G2491}, saying {G3004}, Why {G1302} do we {G2249} and {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} fast {G3522} oft {G4183}, but {G1161} thy {G4675} disciples {G3101} fast {G3522} not {G3756}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, Yochanan's talmidim came to him and asked, "Why is it that we and the P'rushim fast frequently, but your talmidim don't fast at all?"

Berean Standard Bible

At 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?”

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:14 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry where the disciples of John the Baptist, alongside the Pharisees, challenge Jesus regarding the fasting practices of His followers. This inquiry highlights a fundamental tension between the established religious traditions of the day, which emphasized outward acts of piety, and the radical new reality of the Kingdom of God inaugurated by Christ's presence, which prioritized spiritual transformation and a joyful relationship with God. The question sets the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on the incompatibility of new wine with old wineskins, signifying the dawn of a new covenant era.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' controversial act of dining with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew's house, a scene that had already drawn criticism from the Pharisees ([Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Jesus Eats with Sinners and Calls Matthew")). The Pharisees' complaint about Jesus' association with "sinners" is quickly joined by John's disciples, who shift the focus to the apparent lack of fasting among Jesus' followers. This sequence underscores the differing approaches to righteousness and holiness between Jesus and the religious authorities of His time, setting up Jesus' subsequent parables about the bridegroom, the old garment, and new wineskins ([Matthew 9:15-17](/matthew/9-15-17 "Jesus on Fasting, New Cloth, and New Wineskins")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fasting was a deeply ingrained and highly valued religious discipline in first-century Judaism. While the Mosaic Law only explicitly commanded one fast—on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16:29](/leviticus/16-29 "The Day of Atonement Fast")), devout Jews, particularly the Pharisees, observed additional voluntary fasts, often twice a week (Monday and Thursday), as seen in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector ([Luke 18:12](/luke/18-12 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")). John the Baptist himself was known for his ascetic lifestyle, and his disciples naturally adopted similar rigorous practices, including frequent fasting. Their question, therefore, arises from a sincere, albeit traditional, understanding of piety and devotion.
* **Key Themes:** The central question posed in [Matthew 9:14](/matthew/9-14 "The Question About Fasting") introduces several critical themes. It immediately brings to the forefront **the nature and purpose of spiritual disciplines**, particularly fasting, questioning whether they are ends in themselves or means to a greater spiritual reality. The implied contrast between Jesus' disciples and those of John and the Pharisees foreshadows the theme of the **New vs. Old Covenant**, where Jesus' presence inaugurates a new era that transcends the rigid adherence to external rituals. Furthermore, Jesus' subsequent response in [Matthew 9:15](/matthew/9-15 "Jesus' Analogy of the Bridegroom") introduces the theme of **joy in Christ's presence**, suggesting that His advent brings a season of celebration rather than mourning or self-denial. Ultimately, the disciples' question reveals a common **misunderstanding of Jesus' ministry** and the radical, kingdom-oriented transformation He was bringing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From _manthanō_, meaning "to learn." A learner, i.e., a pupil. This term highlights the relationship of students to their teacher, emphasizing that both John's followers and Jesus' followers were under the instruction and influence of their respective masters. The question underscores the distinct teachings and practices of these two schools of thought.
* **fast (Greek, _nēsteúō'_):** To abstain from food (religiously). This word points to the core practice in question. Fasting in Judaism was a sign of repentance, mourning, intense prayer, or preparation for spiritual encounter. The question is not about the validity of fasting itself, but its application and necessity in the context of Jesus' ministry.
* **oft (Greek, _polýs'_):** (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely. The use of "oft" or "frequently" emphasizes the regularity and strictness with which John's disciples and the Pharisees observed this practice, contrasting it sharply with the apparent lack thereof among Jesus' followers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came to him the disciples of John, saying,"**: This clause establishes the identity of the questioners—John's disciples—and their direct approach to Jesus. Their inquiry is presented as a joint concern with the Pharisees, suggesting a shared bewilderment or even criticism regarding Jesus' practices.
* **"Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft,"**: This is the core of the question, highlighting the perceived discrepancy. It reveals that John's disciples and the Pharisees were united in their frequent practice of fasting, which they likely viewed as a mark of true piety and devotion. The "we" is emphatic, underscoring their personal commitment.
* **"but thy disciples fast not?"**: This final clause explicitly states the observation that prompted the question. It sets up a direct contrast between the established religious practices of their groups and the seemingly lax behavior of Jesus' disciples, implying a challenge to Jesus' authority and the nature of His ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:14 employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Interrogation**, as the verse is framed entirely as a direct question posed to Jesus. This rhetorical device immediately draws the reader into the tension and sets the stage for Jesus' authoritative response. There is also clear **Contrast** established between the practices of "we and the Pharisees" (who fast oft) and "thy disciples" (who fast not). This juxtaposition highlights the differing spiritual approaches and sets up the theological distinction Jesus will elaborate upon. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the question itself; while the questioners believe they are upholding righteousness through their practices, Jesus' subsequent answer will reveal that their understanding of true righteousness and the nature of God's presence is incomplete, and that a new, more profound reality has arrived.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The question in Matthew 9:14 underscores a fundamental theological tension between outward religious observance and the inward reality of God's presence. For John's disciples and the Pharisees, fasting was a prescribed act of piety, a means of expressing repentance, mourning, or devotion. However, Jesus' ministry was ushering in a new era, one characterized by the direct, joyful presence of the "bridegroom" (Jesus Himself) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This new reality meant that the traditional forms of mourning and self-denial were temporarily inappropriate. The passage thus teaches that spiritual disciplines, while valuable, derive their meaning and appropriateness from the spiritual season and the nature of one's relationship with Christ, rather than being rigid, universal obligations.

* [Isaiah 58:3-7](/isaiah/58-3-7 "The True Fast")
* [Luke 5:33-39](/luke/5-33-39 "Jesus on Fasting and New Wine")
* [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Jesus' Teaching on Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:14 challenges us to examine the motivations and appropriateness of our spiritual disciplines. Are our practices rooted in a genuine response to God's presence and leading, or are they mere adherence to tradition or external expectations? Just as Jesus' disciples were living in a season of unprecedented joy due to the Bridegroom's presence, believers today are called to live in the joy of Christ's indwelling Spirit. This does not negate the value of disciplines like fasting, prayer, or giving, but it reorients them. They are not to be performed as a means of earning favor or displaying piety, but as expressions of love, dependence, and worship that flow from a vibrant relationship with God. Our spiritual practices should reflect the reality of the Kingdom, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations for engaging in spiritual disciplines like fasting or prayer?**
* **How does the presence of Christ in my life transform my understanding and practice of spiritual disciplines?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing outward religious observance over an inward, joyful relationship with God?**
* **How can I ensure my spiritual practices are aligned with the "new wine" of Christ's Spirit rather than merely "old wineskins" of tradition?**

### FAQ
**Why were John's disciples asking this question, especially alongside the Pharisees?**

Answer: John's disciples were accustomed to a rigorous, ascetic lifestyle that included frequent fasting, a practice their master, John the Baptist, embodied. They likely saw fasting as a clear mark of devotion and repentance, a preparation for the coming Messiah. The Pharisees, too, were known for their strict adherence to religious law and tradition, including voluntary fasts beyond the one commanded in the Torah. Their alliance in this question suggests a shared bewilderment and concern that Jesus' disciples did not conform to these widely accepted, highly esteemed practices. It wasn't necessarily a hostile question from John's disciples, but one born of genuine confusion regarding Jesus' seemingly different approach to piety, especially given that both John and Jesus were preparing people for the Kingdom of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:14, with its question about fasting, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' very person and mission. He is the ultimate "Bridegroom" ([Matthew 9:15](/matthew/9-15 "Jesus' Analogy of the Bridegroom")), whose arrival inaugurates a time of profound joy and celebration, making traditional forms of mourning and self-denial temporarily inappropriate. His presence signifies the dawn of the New Covenant, where the rigid external requirements of the Old Law are transformed by an inward reality of grace and truth. Jesus Himself is the "new wine" that cannot be contained by "old wineskins" ([Matthew 9:17](/matthew/9-17 "The Parable of New Wine and Old Wineskins")), signifying that His kingdom is not merely a reform of Judaism but a radical, transformative new creation. He fulfills the Law not by abolishing it, but by bringing it to its intended purpose—a relationship with God based on faith and love, not merely outward observance ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Christ is the End of the Law")). In Christ, the true "fast" is no longer primarily about abstaining from food in mourning, but about turning from sin and self to embrace the abundant life He offers ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Offers Abundant Life")). His death and resurrection then open the way for a new kind of spiritual discipline, one empowered by the Holy Spirit and aimed at glorifying Him, as seen in the practices of the early church ([Acts 13:2-3](/acts/13-2-3 "The Church at Antioch Fasting and Praying")).

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

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.

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?

Mark 2:22

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

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

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

Matthew 11:19

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.