Luke 5:33
New International Version
They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

New Living Translation
One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”

English Standard Version
And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John fast often and make prayers; likewise also those of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink."

King James Bible
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

New King James Version
Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”

New American Standard Bible
And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”

NASB 1995
And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”

NASB 1977
And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers; the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same; but Yours eat and drink.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do likewise, but Yours eat and drink.”

Amplified Bible
Then they said to Him, “The disciples of John [the Baptist] often practice fasting and offer prayers [of special petition], and so do the disciples of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but yours eat and drink.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”

American Standard Version
And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.

Contemporary English Version
Some people said to Jesus, "John's followers often pray and go without eating, and so do the followers of the Pharisees. But your disciples never go without eating or drinking."

English Revised Version
And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said to him, "John's disciples frequently fast and say prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. But your disciples eat and drink."

Good News Translation
Some people said to Jesus, "The disciples of John fast frequently and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but your disciples eat and drink."

International Standard Version
Then they told him, "John's disciples frequently fast and pray, and so do those of the Pharisees. But your disciples keep right on eating and drinking."

Majority Standard Bible
Then they said to Him, ?Why do John?s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking??

NET Bible
Then they said to him, "John's disciples frequently fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours continue to eat and drink."

New Heart English Bible
They said to him, "The disciples of John often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

Weymouth New Testament
Again they said to Him, "John's disciples fast often and pray, as do also those of the pharisees; but yours eat and drink."

World English Bible
They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make supplications—in like manner also those of the Pharisees—but Yours eat and drink?”

Berean Literal Bible
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John fast often and make prayers; likewise also those of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink."

Young's Literal Translation
And they said unto him, 'Wherefore do the disciples of John fast often, and make supplications -- in like manner also those of the Pharisees -- but thine do eat and drink?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they said to him, Wherefore do the disciples of John fast frequently, and make prayers, and likewise they of the Pharisees; and they to thee eat and drink.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they said to him: Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees in like manner; but thine eat and drink?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they said to him, “Why do the disciples of John fast frequently, and make supplications, and those of the Pharisees act similarly, while yours eat and drink?”

New American Bible
And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then they said to him, “John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They said to him, Why do the disciples of John always fast and pray, and also those of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But they were saying to him, “Why do the disciples of Yohannan fast faithfully and pray, also the Pharisees, but yours are eating and drinking?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they said to him: Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?

Godbey New Testament
And they said to Him, Wherefore do the disciples of John fast, and make supplications; likewise also those of the Pharisees; but thy disciples eat and drink?

Haweis New Testament
Then said they unto him, Why do the disciples of John observe frequent fasts, and make prayers; but thine are eating and drinking?

Mace New Testament
and likewise those of the Pharisees, are frequently fasting and praying, while yours are employed in eating and drinking?

Weymouth New Testament
Again they said to Him, "John's disciples fast often and pray, as do also those of the pharisees; but yours eat and drink."

Worrell New Testament
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also those of the Pharisees; but Thine are eating and drinking!"

Worsley New Testament
And they said unto Him, Why do the disciples of John frequently fast and pray, and likewise those of the pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Questions about Fasting
32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 33Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” 34Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them?…

Cross References
Matthew 9:14-15
Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Mark 2:18-20
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Isaiah 58:3-5
“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: / a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, / a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, ...

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Zechariah 7:5-6
“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? / And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

2 Samuel 12:16-23
David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. / On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.” ...

Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Esther 4:16
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

Daniel 9:3
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Jonah 3:5-9
And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...

Zechariah 8:19
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”

Matthew 11:18-19
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ / The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but your eat and drink?

Why.

Luke 18:12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Isaiah 58:3-6
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours…

Zechariah 7:6
And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

and make.

Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 20:47
Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

but.

Luke 7:34,35
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! …

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Luke 5
1. Jesus teaches the people out of Peter's ship;
4. shows how he will make them fishers of men;
12. cleanses the leper;
16. prays in the desert;
17. heals a paralytic;
27. calls Matthew the tax collector;
29. eats with sinners, as being the physician of souls;
33. foretells the fasting and afflictions of the apostles after his ascension;
36. and illustrates the matter by the parable of patches.














Then they said to Him
This phrase introduces a dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees or scribes. The "they" refers to religious leaders who often questioned Jesus' practices. In the context of first-century Judea, these leaders were deeply concerned with adherence to the Law and traditions. Their questioning of Jesus reflects a broader tension between Jesus' new covenant and the old traditions. The Greek word for "said" (εἶπαν) indicates a formal or authoritative questioning, suggesting that the religious leaders were challenging Jesus' authority and practices.

John’s disciples
This refers to the followers of John the Baptist, who was known for his ascetic lifestyle and call to repentance. John’s disciples were characterized by their commitment to fasting and prayer, reflecting John's message of preparation for the coming Messiah. Historically, John the Baptist was a significant prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus, and his disciples were known for their devout practices. The mention of John's disciples highlights the contrast between their practices and those of Jesus' disciples.

and those of the Pharisees
The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict observance of the Law and traditions. They were highly respected for their piety and dedication to the Torah. The Pharisees' practices, including fasting, were seen as expressions of devotion and righteousness. This phrase underscores the religious expectations of the time and sets the stage for the contrast with Jesus' approach to spiritual practices.

frequently fast and pray
Fasting and prayer were common religious practices in Judaism, often associated with repentance, mourning, or seeking God's favor. The Greek word for "fast" (νηστεύω) implies abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. The Pharisees and John's disciples engaged in these practices regularly, which was a sign of their religious devotion. This phrase highlights the traditional expectations of piety and the visible expressions of faith that were valued in Jewish society.

but Yours
This phrase introduces a contrast between the practices of Jesus' disciples and those of John's disciples and the Pharisees. The use of "Yours" emphasizes the distinctiveness of Jesus' followers. It suggests a divergence from traditional religious practices, which often puzzled or offended the religious leaders. This contrast sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the nature of His ministry and the new covenant He was establishing.

go on eating and drinking
The phrase "eating and drinking" signifies a lifestyle that appears less ascetic and more celebratory. In the context of Jesus' ministry, it reflects the joy and freedom associated with the presence of the Messiah. The Greek words for "eating" (ἐσθίω) and "drinking" (πίνω) imply normal, everyday activities, suggesting that Jesus' disciples were not bound by the same ritualistic practices as others. This behavior was often misunderstood by the religious leaders, who equated piety with asceticism. Jesus' response to this observation would later reveal the deeper spiritual truth of His mission: that He came to bring joy, freedom, and a new way of relating to God, which transcends traditional religious practices.

(33-39) Why do the disciples of John fast?--See Notes on Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22. St. Luke is less definite than the other two in stating who the questioners were. It is only from St. Mark that we learn that they included the two classes to whom the question referred.

Verses 33-39. - The teaching of the Lord concerning fasting. Verse 33. - And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? We learn from the parallel passage in St. Mark that "they" who asked the Lord this question were the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees, who united on this occasion. These disciples of John do not seem at first to have regarded Jesus with altogether friendly feelings. Such a jealousy was only too natural, and the rigid, unbending truthfulness of the evangelists compelled them to tell the story of the way the early foundations of the truth were laid without concealment of error or mistake. The Baptist himself practised the sternest asceticism, and required doubtless of his nearest followers that they should imitate his example. The Lord's way of life, his presence at feastings and merry-makings, his consorting with publicans, his choice of one of them as his disciple and friend, no doubt surprised and disturbed not a few of the followers of John; hence such a question as the one we are now considering, and such a querulous complaining as we hear of in the Fourth Gospel (John 3:25, 26). The practice of fasting among the Jews was as follows: In the Law of Moses only one appointed fast in the year was enjoined - that on the sole Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29; Numbers 29:7). After the Exile the one fast was increased to four. But the prophets gave no sanction to this added ritual (see Zechariah 7:1-12; Zechariah 8:19). In the time of our Lord, rigid Jews used to fast twice a week (Luke 18:12) - on Monday and Friday (the day on which, according to tradition, Moses went up Mount Sinai). It is evident that our Lord himself never observed or even approved of these fasts of the Pharisee sect. In the well-known and often-quoted passages, Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29; Acts 10:30; 1 Corinthians 7:5 - in many of the older authorities, the word 'fasting' does not occur at all. In the Revised Version in each of these instances "fasting" does not appear in the new text. While, then, we must unhesitatingly conclude that fasting is no rite commanded by the Blessed One, still the Church has practised it with signal advantage and profit on certain solemn occasions; but it must ever proceed from the impulse of the sorrow-stricken heart, it must be no penance or duty imposed by authority, least of all must it be regarded as pleasing in the eye of the Almighty, or in any sense a substitute for the practice of the higher virtues really loved of God - justice, mercy, and truth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they said
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“John’s
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

those
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαίων (Pharisaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

frequently
πυκνὰ (pykna)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4437: Frequent, often, much. From the same as skenopoios; clasped, i.e. frequent; neuter plural frequently.

fast
νηστεύουσιν (nēsteuousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3522: To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pray,
δεήσεις (deēseis)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1162: Supplication, prayer, entreaty. From deomai; a petition.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Yours
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4674: Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.

keep on eating
ἐσθίουσιν (esthiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

drinking.”
πίνουσιν (pinousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.


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