Matthew 9:15 - Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
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What does "Matthew 9:15" mean?
This verse, Matthew 9:15, is a response by Jesus to the Pharisees who were questioning why his disciples didn't fast like John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees themselves did. Let's break it down:
"Jesus said to them, 'Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?'"
"Friends of the bridegroom": This refers to the disciples and those who were following Jesus. In Jewish wedding customs, the "friends of the bridegroom" (best men) were expected to celebrate with joy.
"Bridegroom": Jesus is using this metaphor to represent Himself. He's saying that He's the reason for celebration, like a wedding.
"Mourn": This refers to fasting, a common practice of mourning or expressing sorrow in religious contexts.
The meaning: Jesus is saying that it's inappropriate and unnatural for his followers to be fasting and sorrowful while He, the reason for joy and celebration, is among them. It's a time of celebration, not sorrow. His presence is like a wedding feast, a time for joy.
"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."
"Taken away": This is a clear foreshadowing of Jesus' death and ascension. He's indicating that there will be a time when He is no longer physically present with them.
"Then they will fast": After Jesus is gone, the disciples (and by extension, future believers) will have reason to mourn and express sorrow, and fasting will be an appropriate response. This anticipates the grief and spiritual longing they will experience after his departure.
In summary, the verse means:
Jesus is justifying why his disciples are not fasting. He is comparing his presence to a wedding feast where joy and celebration are appropriate. He is also foreshadowing his death and ascension, indicating that after he is gone, his followers will have reason to mourn and fast.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Jesus is the Messiah: By using the "bridegroom" metaphor, Jesus is implicitly claiming a special relationship with his followers, aligning himself with messianic expectations.
A New Era: Jesus' presence marks the beginning of a new era. His ministry is a time of grace and celebration.
Fasting has its place: The verse acknowledges that fasting is a legitimate spiritual practice, but its appropriateness depends on the context. Fasting is appropriate when mourning or seeking God with intensity, particularly in the absence of the "bridegroom".
Foreshadowing: The verse foreshadows Jesus' death and departure and the subsequent mourning and spiritual longing of his followers.
Balance between Joy and Sorrow: It highlights the Christian life having periods of joy and periods of sorrow and that it is okay to feel sorrow especially in the context of Jesus not being physically here.
This verse provides insight into Jesus' self-understanding, his relationship with his followers, and the future of the Christian community. It also highlights the importance of discerning the appropriate time for different spiritual practices, such as fasting and celebration.
Matthew 9:15 - Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
What does "Matthew 9:15" mean?
This verse, Matthew 9:15, is a response by Jesus to the Pharisees who were questioning why his disciples didn't fast like John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees themselves did. Let's break it down:
"Jesus said to them, 'Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?'"
"Friends of the bridegroom": This refers to the disciples and those who were following Jesus. In Jewish wedding customs, the "friends of the bridegroom" (best men) were expected to celebrate with joy.
"Bridegroom": Jesus is using this metaphor to represent Himself. He's saying that He's the reason for celebration, like a wedding.
"Mourn": This refers to fasting, a common practice of mourning or expressing sorrow in religious contexts.
The meaning: Jesus is saying that it's inappropriate and unnatural for his followers to be fasting and sorrowful while He, the reason for joy and celebration, is among them. It's a time of celebration, not sorrow. His presence is like a wedding feast, a time for joy.
"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."
"Taken away": This is a clear foreshadowing of Jesus' death and ascension. He's indicating that there will be a time when He is no longer physically present with them.
"Then they will fast": After Jesus is gone, the disciples (and by extension, future believers) will have reason to mourn and express sorrow, and fasting will be an appropriate response. This anticipates the grief and spiritual longing they will experience after his departure.
In summary, the verse means:
Jesus is justifying why his disciples are not fasting. He is comparing his presence to a wedding feast where joy and celebration are appropriate. He is also foreshadowing his death and ascension, indicating that after he is gone, his followers will have reason to mourn and fast.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Jesus is the Messiah: By using the "bridegroom" metaphor, Jesus is implicitly claiming a special relationship with his followers, aligning himself with messianic expectations.
A New Era: Jesus' presence marks the beginning of a new era. His ministry is a time of grace and celebration.
Fasting has its place: The verse acknowledges that fasting is a legitimate spiritual practice, but its appropriateness depends on the context. Fasting is appropriate when mourning or seeking God with intensity, particularly in the absence of the "bridegroom".
Foreshadowing: The verse foreshadows Jesus' death and departure and the subsequent mourning and spiritual longing of his followers.
Balance between Joy and Sorrow: It highlights the Christian life having periods of joy and periods of sorrow and that it is okay to feel sorrow especially in the context of Jesus not being physically here.
This verse provides insight into Jesus' self-understanding, his relationship with his followers, and the future of the Christian community. It also highlights the importance of discerning the appropriate time for different spiritual practices, such as fasting and celebration.