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LUKE 5:34 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 5:33Luke 5:35
“And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”
Jesus answered, can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? — the bridegroom metaphor identifies Jesus with the divine bridegroom of the Old Testament (Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 2:19–20). The friends of the bridegroom cannot fast at the wedding — fasting is mourning; weddings are celebration. The wedding has begun with Jesus' arrival; fasting would be the inappropriate response to a celebration.

Church Fathers on Luke 5:34

As soon as they have received the first answer from Christ, they proceed from one thing to another, with the intent to show that the holy disciples, and Jesus Himself with them, cared very little for the law. Hence it follows, Why do the disciples of John fast, but you eat, &c. As if they said, You eat with publicans and sinners, whereas the law forbids to have any fellowship with the unclean, but compassion comes in as an excuse for your transgression; why then do you not…

Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

Now Luke evidently relates that this was spoken not by men of themselves, but by others concerning them. How then does Matthew say, Then came to him the disciple of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast; unless that they themselves also came, and were all eager, as far as they were able, to put the question to Him?

Augustine · 4th century

As if He should say, The present time is one of joy and gladness, sorrow must not then be mixed up with it.

Chrysostom · 4th century
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Luke 5:34 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy