Mark 2:19 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers that wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them.
What Does Mark 2:19 Mean?
Jesus replies with a picture from a wedding. The friends of the bridegroom, gathered for the feast, cannot mourn or fast while the celebration is underway and the bridegroom is present. Joy, not abstinence, is fitting for such a day. He likens his disciples to those wedding guests.
By calling himself the bridegroom, Jesus quietly takes up an image Scripture reserves for God's joyful union with his people. His presence among the disciples is a wedding feast, a season of gladness, and to fast in mourning now would mistake the moment. There is a time for sorrow and a time for joy, and while Christ is near, the deepest note is joy. Knowing him turns life into a celebration.
Mark 2:19 in the Original Language
numphios (νυμφίος), 'bridegroom' -- the central figure of the wedding, here Christ himself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 2:19
What does Mark 2:19 mean?
Jesus answers that wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them.