This verse, Luke 5:35, is part of a larger conversation Jesus is having with the Pharisees about why his disciples don't fast like John the Baptist's disciples or the Pharisees themselves.
Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them..." This is the key part of the verse. The "bridegroom" is Jesus himself. The "being taken away" refers to his death, ascension, and physical absence from his disciples. It's a prophetic statement foretelling his eventual departure.
"...Then they will fast in those days.” This signifies that after Jesus is gone, his followers will experience a period of sorrow and hardship that will lead them to fast. Fasting is often associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's presence in times of difficulty. It suggests a change in circumstances from a time of joy (while Jesus was with them) to a time of sadness and longing.
In Essence:
Joy vs. Sorrow: While Jesus is physically present, it's a time of celebration and rejoicing, like a wedding. Fasting would be inappropriate during such a joyful occasion.
Shift in the Age: Jesus' departure marks a shift from the time of his earthly ministry to the period after his ascension, where his followers would face trials, persecution, and a need for spiritual discipline, including fasting.
Fasting as a Response to Absence: The disciples would fast not because it was a ritualistic obligation, but as a natural response to the pain and longing for Jesus' presence after he was gone.
Context is Important:
The surrounding verses highlight this contrast. The Pharisees question why Jesus' disciples don't fast. Jesus uses the analogy of a wedding feast: It's not appropriate to fast when the bridegroom is present. However, a time of fasting will come when the bridegroom is absent. This is not a commandment to fast regularly but rather an acknowledgment that times of sorrow and hardship will arise when fasting becomes a natural expression of their grief and dependence on God.
This verse, Luke 5:35, is part of a larger conversation Jesus is having with the Pharisees about why his disciples don't fast like John the Baptist's disciples or the Pharisees themselves.
Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them..." This is the key part of the verse. The "bridegroom" is Jesus himself. The "being taken away" refers to his death, ascension, and physical absence from his disciples. It's a prophetic statement foretelling his eventual departure.
"...Then they will fast in those days.” This signifies that after Jesus is gone, his followers will experience a period of sorrow and hardship that will lead them to fast. Fasting is often associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's presence in times of difficulty. It suggests a change in circumstances from a time of joy (while Jesus was with them) to a time of sadness and longing.
In Essence:
Joy vs. Sorrow: While Jesus is physically present, it's a time of celebration and rejoicing, like a wedding. Fasting would be inappropriate during such a joyful occasion.
Shift in the Age: Jesus' departure marks a shift from the time of his earthly ministry to the period after his ascension, where his followers would face trials, persecution, and a need for spiritual discipline, including fasting.
Fasting as a Response to Absence: The disciples would fast not because it was a ritualistic obligation, but as a natural response to the pain and longing for Jesus' presence after he was gone.
Context is Important:
The surrounding verses highlight this contrast. The Pharisees question why Jesus' disciples don't fast. Jesus uses the analogy of a wedding feast: It's not appropriate to fast when the bridegroom is present. However, a time of fasting will come when the bridegroom is absent. This is not a commandment to fast regularly but rather an acknowledgment that times of sorrow and hardship will arise when fasting becomes a natural expression of their grief and dependence on God.
