Why did the disciples of John ask Jesus about fasting in this passage?

John’s disciples come to Jesus with a question: they and the Pharisees fast often, but His disciples do not. Their question reveals that they are comparing patterns of outward religious practice and are puzzled that Jesus’ followers do not share the same routine of fasting. The Pharisees’ influence is also present in this concern about visible acts of devotion.

What does Jesus mean by the children of the bridechamber and the bridegroom?

Jesus uses a wedding picture. The bridegroom points to Himself, and the children of the bridechamber are like the close attendants who share in the joy of the wedding. At such a time they do not mourn or fast, because the groom is with them. In the same way, while Jesus is present with His disciples, it is a time for joy rather than the mourning that often goes with fasting. He also points ahead to a time when He will be taken from them; then fasting will have its place.

What is the meaning of not putting new cloth on an old garment here?

Jesus says no one puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, because the new piece pulls away and makes the tear worse. In this passage, the picture explains that what He brings cannot simply be used as a patch on existing religious patterns. The new reality of His presence and work does not fit as a mere addition to old ways; trying to treat it only as a patch makes the problem worse instead of better.

What does new wine in old bottles mean in this teaching of Jesus?

In those days, people used skins as bottles. New wine still works and expands; if it is poured into old, brittle skins, the skins burst and both wine and skins are lost. Jesus uses this to say that the new thing He brings cannot be contained in old forms. New wine needs new skins. In other words, His coming and His way of life with God require forms that match this newness, rather than trying to force it into existing structures that cannot bear it.

Why did Jesus say His disciples would fast after the bridegroom was taken from them?

Jesus looks ahead to a time when the bridegroom will be taken from the disciples. Then they will fast. This shows that He does not reject fasting, but ties it to its proper season. While He is with them, it is like a wedding feast, and fasting does not fit. When He is gone and they face loss, need, and trouble, fasting will be suitable for them.

How does this passage warn against judging others by outward religious habits?

In this scene, John’s disciples point to the difference between their frequent fasts, the Pharisees’ fasts, and the lack of fasting among Jesus’ disciples. The focus is on outward practice. Jesus answers by speaking of the bridegroom, the time when He will be taken away, and the need for new forms to match new wine. His words show that the timing and meaning of practices like fasting matter more than keeping up with someone else’s routine. This cautions against measuring others simply by visible religious habits.

What does this passage teach about the new way Jesus brings?

Through the pictures of the bridegroom, the new cloth, and the new wine, Jesus shows that His coming brings something new that does not fit as a mere extension of old patterns. Constant fasting, as practiced by the Pharisees and taken up by others, does not suit the joyful presence of the bridegroom. The images of the garment and the wineskins point to the mismatch between old forms and the new reality He brings; His way calls for forms and practices that are in step with that newness.

How can a believer today apply Jesus’ teaching on fasting and joy?

This passage helps a believer hold together both fasting and joy in their proper place. Fasting is linked with mourning, need, and times of loss or special seeking of God, as when the bridegroom is taken away. Joy fits the assurance of His presence, pictured in the wedding feast. A believer can ask whether a given season calls more for joyful thanks or for humble fasting, remembering that practices like fasting are meant to match what God is doing, not to be mere outward routines.

Matt.9.14

Matthew 9:14

KJV

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

Questions about Fasting

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.