Mark 2:20

Mark 2:20 Meaning and Explanation

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

King James Version (KJV)

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Jesus foretells that the bridegroom will be taken away, and then his disciples will fast.

What Does Mark 2:20 Mean?

Jesus looks ahead to a darker day: the bridegroom will be taken away. The phrase carries a shadow of the cross, when he will be removed from them by death. In those days, he says, his disciples will indeed fast, their joy turned for a time to longing.

Even in the gladness of the feast, Jesus does not hide the sorrow to come. He prepares his followers for a season when his visible presence will be gone and fasting will fit their grief and yearning. Yet the very word "bridegroom" holds a promise, for a wedding ends in union, not parting. The sorrow of his absence is real, but it is bounded by the hope of his return.

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What does Mark 2:20 mean?

Jesus foretells that the bridegroom will be taken away, and then his disciples will fast.

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