Luke 5:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord responded to their inquiry, and His reply was not unexpected. Firstly, a distinction must be made between the conditions of different disciples, and secondly, it is important to understand how this requirement aligns with the broader tenets of My teachings. Fasting signifies mourning; when one is in sorrow, thoughts of food are absent, and it begins from a sense of loss. As long as I am with them, My disciples have no cause for sorrow; similarly, the friends of the bridegroom, who are present for the wedding, have no reason for grief as long as the bridegroom is in their midst. The disciples of John are indeed called to fast now because their bridegroom is absent (he is imprisoned). The Pharisees, who wish to remain neutral regarding John and Jesus, have continuous reasons to fast, although their fasting lacks the spiritual weight they attribute to it in the eyes of God. The scenario will change when it is time for My disciples to face tribulations. However, even in such times, external practices must harmonize with new internal revelations and other established customs. To merely imitate the disciples of John by altering one aspect of their way of life would be akin to sewing a new patch on an old garment, thus increasing its damages. Conversely, following the Pharisees' example and maintaining all traditional forms would mean pouring new wine into old wineskins, resulting in the loss of both. Therefore, everything has its appropriate time and measure. Thus, the Pharisees’ directives, framed by their own standards, were dismissed here as well; they served only to guide the Lord’s disciples in better understanding their relationship with both the Pharisees and John’s followers, some of whom had been part of their ranks. From that moment, the scribes and Pharisees recognized that the Lord was determined to remain independent of their beliefs and regulations, intent on acting with full autonomy.