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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 2:18-28

Christ had been put to justify himself in conversing with publicans and sinners: here he is put to justify his disciples; and in what they do according to his will he will justify them, and bear them out. I. He justifies them in their not fasting, which was turned to their reproach by the Pharisees. Why do the Pharisees and the disciples of John fast? They used to fast, the Pharisees fasted twice in the week (Luke 18:12), and probably the disciples of John did so too; and, it should seem, this... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 2:18-20

2:18-20 The disciples of John were in the habit of fasting, as were the Pharisees. So they came to Jesus and said, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, while your disciples do not?" "Surely," Jesus said to them, "his closest friends cannot fast while the bridegroom is still with them? So long as they have the bridegroom they do not fast. But the days will come when some day the bridegroom will be taken away from them--and then, in that day, they will fast." ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 2:19

And Jesus said unto them ,.... Both to John's disciples and the Pharisees, can the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them ? Suggesting that he was the bridegroom, as John their master had called him, John 3:29 , and that his disciples were the children of the bride chamber; and that it was very unsuitable for them, and very unreasonable to desire them to fast at such a time, and under such a character: wherefore the answer returned by Christ himself to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 2:19

Can the children of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? - Among the Hindoos, large parties of friends, belonging both to the bride and bridegroom, attend on both during the wedding day; on the following day, when the bridegroom leaves the house of his father-in-law, the attendants are filled with sorrow, especially the near relations. - Ward's Customs. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Levi's feast: the moral questions it occasioned. 1. ( Mark 2:13-17 .) Eating with publicans and sinners. In calling Matthew (Levi) from the receipt of custom, our Saviour made him relinquish all his old pursuits and companions, and conferred upon him an unexpected honor. The feast given by him was, therefore, partly a farewell, partly a celebration. In overstepping the boundary line of Jewish religious and social etiquette, the Lord performed an act of great significance, which was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Levi's feast: the moral questions it occasioned. 2. ( Mark 2:18-22 .) The rationale of fasting. I. THE ORIGIN OF THE QUESTION . This seemed to be natural enough. A real perplexity was created which required to be removed. There is no malice or bitterness in the inquiry. Amongst spiritual associates all such difficulties ought to be frankly faced and kindly discussed. 1 . The feast of Levi was coincident with a traditional fast. The Pharisees and the disciples of John both... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Fasting. "By the sea side" the great Teacher is heard by a listening multitude. Then passing near "the place of toll, his eye fell upon Levi, son of Alphseus," whose service he imperatively claims. Levi, already called to be a disciple, now called to be an apostle, with much sacrifice arises to follow his Lord and Master to the end, so teaching for all future apostles and servants that the claims of the kingdom of Heaven stand first in importance, and must first be met. The simple, brief,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:13-22

Parallel passages: Matthew 9:9-17 ; Luke 5:27-39 .— Call of Levi, Feasting, and Fasting. I. THE CALL OF LEVI . 1 . Publicans , who were they ? The publicans proper, who paid a certain sum contracted for into the public treasury ( publicum ), were Roman knights, a wealthy class of citizens. These, again, had their agents who sublet, or acted as their owngents in subletting, the collection of the taxes, usually to natives of the country from which the taxes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:15-22

Matthew's house. I. THE SOCIALITY OF JESUS . He was found at ordinary dinner-parties and entertainments throughout his course, and to the last. He was a contrast in this to the ascetic Baptist. He was found in " questionable " company. But the company of Pharisees would have been as " questionable. " With a clear conscience a man may go into the miscellany of people called " society. " A free and open manner is certain to bring remark and censure upon him. But better to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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