Mark 2:19
New International Version
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.

New Living Translation
Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them.

English Standard Version
And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus said to them, "Are the sons of the bridechamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long a time as they have the bridegroom with them, they are not able to fast.

King James Bible
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

New King James Version
And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “While the groom is with them, the attendants of the groom cannot fast, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.

NASB 1995
And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

NASB 1977
And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom do not fast, do they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “Can the attendants of the bridegroom fast when the bridegroom is with them? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Amplified Bible
Jesus answered, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is [still] with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.

American Standard Version
And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered: The friends of a bridegroom don't go without eating while he is still with them.

English Revised Version
And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus replied, "Can wedding guests fast while the groom is still with them? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.

Good News Translation
Jesus answered, "Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to go without food? Of course not! As long as the bridegroom is with them, they will not do that.

International Standard Version
Jesus replied, "The wedding guests can't fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they can't fast.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they do not fast.

New Heart English Bible
And Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Weymouth New Testament
"Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible.

World English Bible
Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jesus said to them, “Are the sons of the bride-chamber able, while the bridegroom is with them, to fast? As long a time [as] they have the bridegroom with them they are not able to fast;

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus said to them, "Are the sons of the bridechamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long a time as they have the bridegroom with them, they are not able to fast.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jesus said to them, 'Are the sons of the bride-chamber able, while the bridegroom is with them, to fast? so long time as they have the bridegroom with them they are not able to fast;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the nuptial chamber, in which the bridegroom is with them, fast? as much time as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jesus saith to them: Can the children of the marriage fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jesus said to them: “How can the sons of the wedding fast while the groom is still with them? During whatever time they have the groom with them, they are not able to fast.

New American Bible
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, Why, can the sons of the wedding feast fast as long as the bridegroom is with them? No!

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “Are the children of the bridal chamber able to fast as long as the groom is with them? No!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Jesus said to them: Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can not fast.

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus said to them, Whether are the sons of the bride-chamber able to fast while the bridegroom is with them? So long a time as they have with them the bridegroom they are not able to fast.

Haweis New Testament
And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Mace New Testament
Jesus answered, can the bridemen fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Weymouth New Testament
"Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible.

Worrell New Testament
And Jesus said to them, "Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast;

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus said unto them, Can the bridemen fast, when the bridegroom is with them? while the bridegroom is with them, they cannot fast:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Questions about Fasting
18Now 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?” 19 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. 20But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.…

Cross References
Matthew 9:15
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.

Luke 5:34-35
Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

John 3:29
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

Revelation 19:7-9
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Hosea 2:19-20
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Jeremiah 33:11
the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.

Song of Solomon 3:11
Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...

John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...

Psalm 45:14-15
In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you. / They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.

Isaiah 54:5
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.

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.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Can.

Genesis 29:22
And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Judges 14:10,11
So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do…

Psalm 45:14
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

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Mark 2
1. Jesus followed by multitudes,
3. heals a paralytic;
13. calls Matthew;
15. eats with tax collectors and sinners;
18. excuses his disciples for not fasting;
23. and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.














Jesus replied
The phrase "Jesus replied" indicates a direct response from Jesus, showcasing His role as a teacher and authority. In the Greek, the word used for "replied" is "ἀπεκρίθη" (apekrithē), which implies a thoughtful and authoritative answer. This sets the stage for Jesus to address the question of fasting with wisdom and insight, emphasizing His divine understanding and the importance of His presence.

Can the guests of the bridegroom fast
The "guests of the bridegroom" refers to those who are invited to a wedding celebration. In Jewish culture, weddings were times of great joy and festivity, often lasting several days. The Greek word for "guests" is "υἱοὶ" (huioi), meaning "sons" or "children," which can imply close companions or friends. The imagery of a bridegroom is significant, as it is often used in Scripture to symbolize the relationship between God and His people (e.g., Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 2:19-20). Fasting, on the other hand, was typically associated with mourning or penitence. Jesus uses this metaphor to illustrate the inappropriateness of fasting during a time of joy and celebration, highlighting His presence as the cause for rejoicing.

while he is with them
The phrase "while he is with them" underscores the temporary and unique nature of Jesus' earthly ministry. The Greek word "μετ' αὐτῶν" (met' autōn) translates to "with them," emphasizing the physical presence of Jesus among His disciples. This presence is a source of joy and fulfillment, akin to the joy experienced at a wedding feast. It suggests that the time of Jesus' ministry is a special period that calls for celebration rather than mourning.

As long as he is with them
This repetition of the idea that Jesus' presence is a time for joy reinforces the temporary nature of His earthly ministry. The Greek phrase "ὅσον χρόνον" (hoson chronon) means "as long as," indicating a specific period. This implies that there will be a time when Jesus will no longer be physically present, hinting at His future crucifixion and ascension. It serves as a reminder of the preciousness of the time the disciples have with Jesus and the joy that His presence brings.

they cannot fast
The statement "they cannot fast" is a definitive conclusion to Jesus' argument. The Greek word "δύνανται" (dynantai) means "are able," suggesting that fasting is not just inappropriate but impossible during this time of joy. This highlights the transformative nature of Jesus' presence, which brings about a new understanding of religious practices. It challenges the traditional views of fasting and invites believers to recognize the joy and fulfillment found in Christ. This phrase serves as a call to embrace the joy of the Gospel and the new covenant established through Jesus.

Verse 19. - The Bridegroom here is Christ, because he espoused the human nature, and, through it, the Church to himself in his holy incarnation. This holy union he began by his grace on earth, and he will consummate it gloriously with his elect in heaven, when "the marriage of the Lamb shall have come, and his wife shall have made herself ready." Hence John the Baptist calls himself the friend of the Bridegroom, that is, of Christ. The sons (υἱοὶ) of the bridechamber are the special friends of the Bridegroom, those who are admitted into the closest fellowship with him. The expression is a Hebraism, like "the children of disobedience," and many other similar forms of expression. So long, then, as the bridegroom is with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast. It is as though our Lord said, "It is not surprising that they should not care to fast as long as they enjoy my presence; but when I am taken from thegn, then shall they fast."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

answered,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Can
δύνανται (dynantai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

the
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.

guests
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

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

bridegroom
νυμφῶνος (nymphōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3567: A bridal chamber. From numphe; the bridal room.

fast
νηστεύειν (nēsteuein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3522: To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.

while
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

[He]
νυμφίος (nymphios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566: A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

them?
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

As long as
ὅσον (hoson)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

[He is]
νυμφίον (nymphion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566: A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

they cannot
δύνανται (dynantai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

fast.
νηστεύειν (nēsteuein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3522: To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.


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NT Gospels: Mark 2:19 Jesus said to them Can the groomsmen (Mar Mk Mr)
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