Mark 2:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He told them, "As the Bridegroom, I am present among them; therefore, they ought to rejoice and not mourn. He identifies Himself as 'the Bridegroom,' not merely because He has united pure souls to Himself, but also because this period of His initial advent is not characterized by sorrow and mourning for His followers. Rather, it is a time of consolation brought through baptism, independent of the works of the law. What labor is involved in receiving baptism? Yet, through this simple act, we attain salvation. The 'sons of the bridal chamber' refer to the apostles, as they have experienced the joy of the Lord and are beneficiaries of every heavenly gift and solace.

The children of the wedding feast cannot mourn while the Bridegroom is present, whether He is physically present (for this period of His earthly ministry is a time of celebration, not sorrow) or acknowledged as the Word (for what reason would those who have been purified by the Word fast in the flesh?).

The duration of our Lord's presence on earth is likened to that of a wedding celebration, with Christ portrayed as the Bridegroom: ‘the bridegroom's companions cannot fast as long as the bridegroom is with them.’

It is more prudent to enjoy wine with wisdom than to drink water in pride. Consider the righteous who partake of wine thoughtfully and those distant from God who consume water without discernment; thus, we ought to neither condemn nor commend the substance itself, but rather reflect on the state of mind that leads individuals to employ it for either noble or unholy purposes. Joseph once shared wine with the Egyptians, yet he did not allow his judgment to become clouded because he maintained clarity of thought. In contrast, Pythagoras, Diogenes, and Plato chose to drink only water, as did the Manichaeans and others who fancied themselves wise. However, their lack of moderation led them to such foolishness that they failed to recognize God and instead turned to idol worship.

Since the promise of the Savior's incarnation was made to our ancestors, the faithful awaited His arrival with sorrow and longing until that divine promise was realized. Similarly, after His resurrection and ascension into glory, the hopes of the saints became intertwined with His anticipated return. Yet, from the moment He communicated with humanity, they were no longer able to weep or mourn, for their beloved was present among them in His physical form. Thus, Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride, and the Sons of the Bridegroom (cf. Matt. 9:15; Lk. 5:34) are those who are part of the covenant of marriage and all who place their faith in Him; the moment of matrimony occurs through the sacrament of the Incarnation, during which He is joined to the sacred Church (cf. Rev.

Embarrassed by this response, they seek to take vengeance on both the teacher and His followers by reproaching them for the perceived frailty of His teachings. They demonstrate that their leniency towards sinners reflects their own lack of distinction in terms of discipline and prayers. Fasting and prayer serve as primary avenues for cleansing from sins and achieving sanctity, yet these practices hold little weight for them. To further substantiate their claims, the Pharisees beckon the disciples of John, who happen to be present, and reference the esteemed example of John, honored by Jesus, as well as their own conduct—pointing to the very people whom He seeks to redeem. They pose a question to Him: Why do your disciples not fast and pray like we do, or like the disciples of John?

Jesus answered the disciples of John by echoing the sentiments of their master. They likely recalled how, following their discussion with the Jews regarding purification, John had told them, "The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices to hear the voice of the bridegroom" (John 3:29). Therefore, in a similar spirit, Jesus asked, "Can you make the sons of the bridal chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? Your teacher referred to me as the bridegroom and himself as the friend of the bridegroom; a friend who should rejoice in the presence of the bridegroom, not mourn or fast. Thus, my disciples, as friends of the bridegroom and sons of the bridal chamber, should celebrate as long as I am with them, while they listen to my voice and follow me.

To understand why the disciples of the Lord did not engage in fasting, one can refer to the directly comparable response found in Matthew 9:4-17.

Some of John’s disciples and the Pharisees questioned Jesus, 'Why do His disciples not observe fasting?' In His response, the Lord provides three illustrations relevant to their understanding. In the first, He likens Himself to the bridegroom who is 'uniting with a new assembly (the Church) in place of the former synagogue that has perished' (Bl. Theophylact). This is affirmed by both Him and His forerunner, John (John 3:29). He posed the question, 'Can the sons of the wedding feast mourn or fast while the bridegroom is with them? But there will be days when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast during those days.' He referred to His disciples as the sons of the bridegroom, true friends of the bridegroom, and guests at the feast. He did not impose fasting on His disciples; as St. John Chrysostom explains, His intent was 'not for the sake of the body, but through His divine guidance,' as He further illustrates through two examples drawn from everyday life.