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Mark 2:18-20
New Catholic Bible
Mark 2:18-20
New Catholic Bible
18 A Time of Joy and Grace.[a] John’s disciples and the Pharisees were observing a fast. Some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why do John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees fast but your disciples do not do so?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then on that day they will fast.[b]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Mark 2:18 See notes on Mt 9:14-17 and Lk 5:33-39.
- Mark 2:20 The Jews were obliged to fast only on the Day of Atonement. However, devout persons fasted two times a week (on Monday and Thursday). Jesus does not disapprove of such acts. He merely points out that his coming has inaugurated the time of joy foretold by the Prophets, in which it was legitimate for his disciples to benefit from the presence of the Bridegroom, i.e., the Messiah. He then alludes to his violent death after which his disciples would fast while awaiting the glorious and definitive coming of the heavenly Bridegroom.
