Mark 2:18 Meaning and Explanation
“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 thy disciples fast not?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →People ask Jesus why his disciples do not fast as the disciples of John and the Pharisees do.
What Does Mark 2:18 Mean?
Fasting was a mark of serious devotion, practiced by the followers of John the Baptist and by the Pharisees. Noticing that Jesus' disciples do not keep the same fasts, some come to him with a question: why are your disciples different? The query is honest, and it sets up one of his most memorable answers.
Behind the question lies a real puzzle about Jesus and the new thing he is doing. Devout people measured nearness to God by familiar disciplines, and Jesus' disciples seemed to be skipping them. The Lord will not dismiss the question; he answers it by pointing to himself. The presence of Christ changes the meaning of every practice, and even fasting must be understood in light of who has come.
Mark 2:18 in the Original Language
nesteuo (νηστεύω), 'fast' -- to abstain from food as an act of devotion to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 2:18
What does Mark 2:18 mean?
People ask Jesus why his disciples do not fast as the disciples of John and the Pharisees do.