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MARK 2:18 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 2:17Mark 2:19
“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?”
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, how is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yours do not? — the fasting question introduces the third controversy of the chapter. The juxtaposition of John's disciples and the Pharisees' disciples is interesting: they are not natural allies, but both practice fasting while Jesus' disciples do not. Jewish fasting was both a community practice (on fixed days) and a private devotional act. The question is not an accusation of immorality but a question of religious practice: why does Jesus' movement not conform to the piety practices that characterize other serious Jewish communities?

Church Fathers on Mark 2:18

For the disciples of John being in an imperfect state, continued in Jewish customs.

Theophylact · 11th century

But it may be thought that He added Pharisees, because they joined with the disciples of John in saying this to the Lord, whilst Matthew relates that the disciples of John alone said it: but the words which follow father shew that those who said it spoke not of themselves, but of others.

Augustine · 4th century · de Con. Evan., ii, 27

But John did not drink wine and strong drink, because he who has no power by nature, obtains more merit by abstinence. But why should the Lord, to whom it naturally belonged to forgive sins, shun those whom he could make more pure, than those who fast? But Christ also fasted, lest He should break the precept, 'He ate with sinners,' that thou mightest see His grace, and acknowledge His power.

Bede · 8th century
Read all 10 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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