New International VersionJesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.
New Living TranslationJesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them.
English Standard VersionAnd Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Berean Standard BibleJesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast.
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus said to them, "Are the sons of the bridechamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long a time as they have the bridegroom with them, they are not able to fast.
King James BibleAnd Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
New King James VersionAnd Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
New American Standard BibleAnd Jesus said to them, “While the groom is with them, the attendants of the groom cannot fast, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
NASB 1995And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
NASB 1977And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom do not fast, do they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Jesus said to them, “Can the attendants of the bridegroom fast when the bridegroom is with them? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Amplified BibleJesus answered, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is [still] with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Christian Standard BibleJesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
Holman Christian Standard BibleJesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
American Standard VersionAnd Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Contemporary English VersionJesus answered: The friends of a bridegroom don't go without eating while he is still with them.
English Revised VersionAnd Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus replied, "Can wedding guests fast while the groom is still with them? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
Good News TranslationJesus answered, "Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to go without food? Of course not! As long as the bridegroom is with them, they will not do that.
International Standard VersionJesus replied, "The wedding guests can't fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they can't fast.
NET BibleJesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they do not fast.
New Heart English BibleAnd Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Weymouth New Testament"Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast.
World English BibleJesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jesus said to them, “Are the sons of the bride-chamber able, while the bridegroom is with them, to fast? As long a time [as] they have the bridegroom with them they are not able to fast;
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus said to them, "Are the sons of the bridechamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long a time as they have the bridegroom with them, they are not able to fast.
Young's Literal Translation And Jesus said to them, 'Are the sons of the bride-chamber able, while the bridegroom is with them, to fast? so long time as they have the bridegroom with them they are not able to fast;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the nuptial chamber, in which the bridegroom is with them, fast? as much time as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jesus saith to them: Can the children of the marriage fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Jesus said to them: “How can the sons of the wedding fast while the groom is still with them? During whatever time they have the groom with them, they are not able to fast.
New American BibleJesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
New Revised Standard VersionJesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus said to them, Why, can the sons of the wedding feast fast as long as the bridegroom is with them? No!
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishYeshua said to them, “Are the children of the bridal chamber able to fast as long as the groom is with them? No!” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd Jesus said to them: Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can not fast.
Godbey New TestamentAnd Jesus said to them, Whether are the sons of the bride-chamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? So long a time as they have with them the bridegroom they are not able to fast.
Haweis New Testament
And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Mace New Testament
Jesus answered, can the bridemen fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Weymouth New Testament
"Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible.
Worrell New Testament
And Jesus said to them,"Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast;
Worsley New Testament
And Jesus said unto them,Can the bridemen fast, when the bridegroom is with them? while the bridegroom is with them, they cannot fast:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Questions about Fasting18Now 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?” 19Jesusreplied,“How cantheguestsof thebridegroomfastwhileHeiswiththem?As long asHe iswiththem,they cannotfast.20But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.…
Cross References Matthew 9:15Jesus 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.
Luke 5:34-35Jesus 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.”
John 3:29The 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.
Revelation 19:7-9Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Isaiah 62:5For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
Hosea 2:19-20So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”
Ephesians 5:25-27Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
2 Corinthians 11:2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Jeremiah 33:11the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.
Song of Solomon 3:11Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.
Matthew 25:1-13“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...
John 2:1-11On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...
Psalm 45:14-15In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you. / They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.
Isaiah 54:5For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
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.”
Treasury of Scripture And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. Can. Genesis 29:22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. Judges 14:10,11 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do… Psalm 45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. Jump to Previous AbleAttendantsBridechamberBride-ChamberBridegroomChildrenFastFastingFoodFriendsGuestsImpossibleJesusNewly-MarriedPartyTimeWeddingJump to Next AbleAttendantsBridechamberBride-ChamberBridegroomChildrenFastFastingFoodFriendsGuestsImpossibleJesusNewly-MarriedPartyTimeWeddingMark 2 1.Jesus followed by multitudes,3.heals a paralytic;13.calls Matthew;15.eats with tax collectors and sinners;18.excuses his disciples for not fasting;23.and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.Jesus repliedIn this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about fasting, a common religious practice among the Jews. His reply indicates His authority and understanding of spiritual matters, setting the stage for a deeper teaching moment. This response is part of a larger dialogue where Jesus often uses questions to provoke thought and reveal deeper truths. How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them?
The imagery of a bridegroom and wedding guests is significant in Jewish culture, where weddings were times of great joy and celebration. Fasting, typically associated with mourning or penitence, would be inappropriate during such a joyful occasion. Jesus positions Himself as the bridegroom, a metaphor that aligns with Old Testament imagery where God is often depicted as the bridegroom of Israel (Isaiah 62:5,Hosea 2:19-20). This also foreshadows the relationship between Christ and the Church, as seen inEphesians 5:25-27. As long as He is with them,
This phrase emphasizes the presence of Jesus with His disciples, highlighting the unique and transformative nature of His earthly ministry. The presence of Jesus brings a new era, one that is characterized by joy and fulfillment rather than the old rituals and traditions. This presence is a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus inaugurates through His life and teachings. they cannot fast.
The inability to fast while Jesus is present underscores the joy and fulfillment found in Him. It suggests that traditional practices must be re-evaluated in light of Jesus' mission and identity. This statement challenges the religious leaders' understanding of piety and points to a new covenant, where the focus is on a relationship with Christ rather than mere ritual observance. This theme is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such as when Jesus speaks of new wine needing new wineskins (Mark 2:22). Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about fasting. His response highlights His role as the bridegroom, a significant metaphor in Jewish tradition. 2. The BridegroomA metaphor for Jesus Himself, indicating His special relationship with His followers, akin to a bridegroom with his wedding guests. 3. The Wedding GuestsRepresenting Jesus' disciples, these individuals are in a time of celebration and joy due to the presence of Jesus, the bridegroom. 4. Pharisees and John's DisciplesThese groups are implied in the context as those who question Jesus about fasting, representing traditional religious practices. 5. FastingA religious practice of abstaining from food, often associated with mourning or seeking spiritual focus, which is questioned in the context of Jesus' presence. Teaching Points Understanding Jesus as the BridegroomRecognize the significance of Jesus' metaphorical role as the bridegroom, which implies a deep, joyful, and intimate relationship with His followers. The Joy of Christ's PresenceEmphasize the joy and celebration that come with the presence of Jesus, contrasting with the traditional view of fasting as a somber practice. Appropriate Times for FastingAcknowledge that while fasting is a valuable spiritual discipline, its timing and purpose should align with the presence and work of Christ in our lives. Living in the Light of Christ's PresenceEncourage believers to live with the awareness of Christ's presence, which transforms ordinary life into a celebration of His love and grace. Anticipating the Return of the BridegroomInspire hope and anticipation for Christ's return, when the ultimate celebration will occur, and fasting will no longer be necessary. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Mark 2
What was Jesus' purpose in cleansing the temple?
What did Jesus mean by "prayer and fasting"?
What does the Bible say about fasting?
In Mark 8:11-12, why does Jesus refuse to provide a sign from heaven after performing other miracles?Verse 19. - The Bridegroom here is Christ, because he espoused the human nature, and, through it, the Church to himself in his holy incarnation. This holy union he began by his grace on earth, and he will consummate it gloriously with his elect in heaven, when "the marriage of the Lamb shall have come, and his wife shall have made herself ready." Hence John the Baptist calls himself the friend of the Bridegroom, that is, of Christ. The sons ( υἱοὶ) of the bridechamber are the special friends of the Bridegroom, those who are admitted into the closest fellowship with him. The expression is a Hebraism, like "the children of disobedience," and many other similar forms of expression. So long, then, as the bridegroom is with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast. It is as though our Lord said, "It is not surprising that they should not care to fast as long as they enjoy my presence; but when I am taken from thegn, then shall they fast."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.answered,εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“Canδύνανται(dynantai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.theοἱ(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.guestsυἱοὶ(huioi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.bridegroomνυμφῶνος(nymphōnos)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3567:A bridal chamber. From numphe; the bridal room.fastνηστεύειν(nēsteuein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3522:To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.whileᾧ(hō)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.[He]νυμφίος(nymphios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566:A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.isἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.them?αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.As long asὅσον(hoson)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3745:How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.[He is]νυμφίον(nymphion)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566:A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.them,αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.they cannotδύνανται(dynantai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.fast.νηστεύειν(nēsteuein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3522:To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.
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NT Gospels: Mark 2:19 Jesus said to them Can the groomsmen (Mar Mk Mr) |
