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Mark 2:19

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 2:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Mark 2:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, [How is it] that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
18And 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?
19And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.
21No man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.
22And no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine perisheth, and the skins: but [they put] new wine into fresh wine-skins.
← Mark 2:18Mark 2:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus said unto them, etc..] 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, (<430329>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 the question is, as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast: all which the Syriac version expresses by al, “no”: see Gill “<400915>Matthew 9:15”.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 9:15-17. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:19-20 Jesus was like a groom at his wedding, so fasting was inappropriate. It was a time for celebration (Luke 15:23-25, 32). The disciples would fast when Jesus was taken away by death (see Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Can: Gen 29:22; Jdg 14:10, Jdg 14:11; Psa 45:14; Sol 6:8; Mat 25:1-10 Mark 2:20”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification