Mark 2:18-3:30

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:18-20

On fasting. Weak brethren too often do the work of evil men. The disciples of John, who were not hostile to our Lord, were made on this occasion the tools of the Pharisees, whose great object was to damage our Lord's reputation amongst the people, and to weaken the allegiance of his followers. The Baptist had never forbidden his disciples to observe the customary fasts, and his own ascetic life had taught them such lessons of self-denial that they readily observed them, especially at a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:18-22

Christianity and asceticism. Strange as it seems, it is unquestionable that the very humanity of Jesus, his truly broad and human sympathies, were an offense to the religious leaders of his time. The Pharisees fasted oft; John came neither eating nor drinking; Jesus, who came that he might live among men and who associated with them in all their innocent occupations and enjoyments, excited the displeasure and malice of those who were too superficial and ceremonial to understand his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 2:18

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast - Were accustomed often to fast. Compare Luke 5:33; Luke 18:12.And they come and say - The disciples of John come, Matthew 9:4. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 2:18-22

Mark 2:18-22. The disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast The evangelist here relates another occurrence, which happened while Jesus was in Levi’s house, and bore some resemblance to the former. But of this see the notes on Matthew 9:14-17, where the whole passage occurs. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 2:18-22

33. Why Jesus’ disciples did not fast (Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39)Both John the Baptist’s disciples and the Pharisees were slow to realize that Jesus’ coming had brought in a new era. Their traditional ceremonies and fastings were now of no use. The coming of Jesus may be compared to the coming of a bridegroom to his wedding feast. In a time of such joy no one thinks of fasting, and therefore Jesus’ disciples did not fast while he was with them. But Jesus would be taken away... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 2:18

used to fast = were fasting: i.e. were then observing a fast. It is not the custom that is referred to, but the fact. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 2:18

And John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?The Pharisees were up to their old tricks, trying to cause trouble for Jesus. Here. the strategy was designed to open a breach between the disciples of John the Baptist and those of Jesus.Thy disciples fast not ... This was equivalent to "You are not in style! John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees are fasting,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 2:18

We do not know why John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting. Perhaps it was because he was then in prison or as an expression of repentance designed to hasten the coming of the kingdom. The Pharisees fasted twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays (cf. Luke 18:12). [Note: Wessel, p. 636.] The feast in Levi’s house may have occurred on one of these days. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 2:18-22

3. The religious leaders’ question about fasting 2:18-22 (cf. Matthew 9:14-17; Luke 5:33-39)The third objection the religious leaders voiced arose from the failure of Jesus’ disciples to observe the traditional, not Scriptural, fast days that the Pharisees observed (cf. Leviticus 16:29). Jesus’ association with tax gatherers and sinners seemed to them to result in the neglect of devout practices. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 2:1-28

The Sick of the Palsy1-12. Healing of the palsied man (Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27). See on Mt.13-17. Call of Levi (Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27). See on Mt.16. The scribes and Pharisees] RV ’the scribes of the Pharisees’: implying that some scribes were Sadducees, though this was rare.18-22. The controversy on fasting (Matthew 9:14; Luke 5:33). See on Mt.21. New cloth] RV ’undressed cloth.’ Else the new piece] RV ’else that which should fill it up, taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent... read more

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