Why Don't Jesus' Disciples Fast? - Mark 2:18

Mark wrote, “when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of his book, Mark shares how the “scribes and Pharisees” asked, “why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?” where we read:

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?

The verse reads, “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the disciples of John” which means “and the students, pupils and attendants of John the Baptist” “and of the Pharisees” or “and belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “used to fast” which means “formerly abstained as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”: “and they come and say unto him” or “and the scribes and Pharisees approached Jesus and asked Him the following question”. Mark shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” knew “John's disciples” and the “Pharisees” “fasted”, so they approached Jesus with the following question.

The verse continues, “... Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?” Mark added the words, “why do the disciples of John” which means “for what reason and cause do the students, pupils and attendants of John the Baptist” “and of the Pharisees” or “and the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “fast” which means “abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”, “but your disciples fast not” or “nevertheless Jesus' students, pupils and attendants do not abstained as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”? Mark shared how the “religious leaders” questioned Jesus concerning His “disciples'” lack of “fasting”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see the “religious leaders” questioning Jesus again. This time they were criticizing His disciples for not “fasting” like“the Pharisees” and “John the Baptist's disciples”. As a measure of focus upon “spiritual things”, people would “abstain” from food or drink to demonstrate their devotion to God and His ways. However, Jesus was with them, and there was no need to “fast” when He was in their presence. God's desire is to have a relationship with everyone, and when they yield their lives to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, not only do they receive forgiveness of sins, but also shall inherit “everlasting life”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks, “Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".