Luke 5:35 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.'

NASB: But the days will come; and when the groom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.'

CSB: But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them--then they will fast in those days."

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; then they will fast in those days.”

Jesus is explaining why His disciples don't fast like the Pharisees and John the Baptist's followers. In short, it would be inappropriate for them to mourn while He is with them. Devout Jews fast on the Day of Atonement and twice each week. Jesus' disciples don't. Jesus explains that fasting for the purpose of mourning (Matthew 9:15) while He is present would be like groomsmen fasting at a wedding feast when the bridegroom arrives (Luke 5:33–34).

There will be a time when it is appropriate for His followers to fast. He is going to leave, and it will be as sad as if a bridegroom were taken away before the wedding ceremony. If Jesus is the bridegroom, then "the days" could refer to the three days after the crucifixion, the church age after His ascension, or both. Scholars note that Matthew ties the fast with mourning (Matthew 9:15). Jesus denies that His ascension is a time for mourning because His followers receive the advantage of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Indeed, the New Testament does not record the church fasting for mourning, so it may be that "the days" refer only to the time between the crucifixion and resurrection.

Still, the issue of fasting in the church is confusing. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus says, "When you fast…" which suggests He assumes His followers would fast at some point. Jesus, Himself, fasts before His temptation (Luke 4:2) and fasts from wine after the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:18). The early church fasted and prayed to receive the Holy Spirit's guidance on important decisions, such as the commission of missionaries and elders (Acts 13:2–3; 14:23). But the New Testament doesn't demand or regulate fasting—there's no assigned time or process.

Jesus shows He is not averse to fasting at the appropriate time; when He is present, however, is not the appropriate time. The Old Testament only specifically requires one fast, though the word more literally applies to humbling oneself, represented by the command that the Israelites "afflict" themselves on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26–32). Tradition added a fast in remembrance of the fall of Jerusalem as well as personal fasts, sometimes twice a week.

Later, Jesus will use the idea of waiting for the arrival of someone from a wedding to warn His followers to wait diligently for His return (Matthew 25:1–13; Luke 12:35–36).

Luke 5:33–39 records the second of four arguments Jesus has with religious leaders in between His callings of Levi (Luke 5:27–28) and the last seven disciples (Luke 6:12–16). The Pharisees couldn't understand why repentant sinners were cause for celebration (Luke 5:29–32). Now people can't understand why Jesus' presence is reason to celebrate and not join in the traditional fasts. After this, Luke records two altercations regarding the true nature of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1–11). The story of fasting and the wine and wineskins is also found in Matthew 9:14–17 and Mark 2:18–22.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.