Mark 2:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

NIV: But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

NASB: But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast, on that day.

CSB: But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

NLT: But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

KJV: But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

NKJV: But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

Here, in the initial days of the ministry in Galilee, Jesus makes His first allusion to the fact that He will one day leave His followers behind. Jesus' statement also infers that there are appropriate reasons to fast.

Matthew 6:16–18 suggests that fasting for self-discipline and as an expression of piety is acceptable, as long as it is done in the right way. The Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—fast openly, letting everyone know how spiritual they are. Jesus says that the attention they receive by other men will be their only reward. If we wish to be blessed by God, we must do things for Him, not for the acclaim of the world.

In Luke 4:1–2, Jesus fasts for forty days before Satan tempts Him. Fasting is certainly appropriate for preparing for a hardship, but it's important to note that Jesus only fasts to such an extreme once. He does not make a habit of it.

Early church leaders fasted before making important decisions. The church elders at Antioch fasted before sending Barnabas and Paul out on a mission trip (Acts 13:1–3). In return, Barnabas and Paul fasted before appointing elders in the new churches (Acts 14:21–23).

So fasting, whether personal or in a group, is appropriate for Christians but it is not specifically ordained. Fasting should be voluntary and done in a way that brings us closer to God. We should be respectful of health concerns that would make fasting from all food unwise; the Bible suggests there are other things we can temporarily avoid to practice discipline and make time to seek God (1 Corinthians 7:1–5).

Mark 2:18–22 contains the third of four altercations Jesus has with questioners and critics in this chapter. This incident focuses on the tradition of fasting, and is also found in Luke 5:33–39. The Pharisees and John the Baptist's disciples fast on a regular basis, but Jesus' disciples don't. The scribes—religious scholars that belong to the Pharisee sect—have imposed fasts on the people that God did not ordain. Jesus is not opposed to fasting (Luke 4:1–2; Matthew 6:16–18), but only in the proper context. While He is there, His disciples should celebrate, not mourn. Making a public spectacle to brag about how pious you are is not the proper context.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.