Matthew 9:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What benefit is fasting when your hearts are filled with deceit, when you judge and condemn others while ignoring your own faults? First, you must abandon arrogance and cultivate virtues like love, gentleness, and fellowship.” Yet, Christ does not issue such a rebuke; instead, He replies gently, “The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast as long as the bridegroom is with them,” reminding them of John’s words, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the voice of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). The essence of Christ's message is clear: the present moment is one of joy, so do not turn it into sorrow. While fasting can evoke sadness, it is not inherently so; for those striving for wisdom, it can be a joyful and fulfilling pursuit. Just as physical health brings delight, so too does the soul's prosperity bring even greater joy. Thus, the Savior tailored His response to their perspective. Isaiah described fasting as the humility of the soul (Isa. 58:3), and Moses used similar terms (Num. 30:14). However, the Savior silenced John’s disciples not only through this explanation but also by indicating, “The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” In these words, He signifies that fasting is not merely for the sake of ritual, but part of a watchful and extraordinary devotion. While addressing the adversaries, He also begins to forewarn His disciples about His impending suffering, encouraging them to prepare for what may seem distressing. Had He articulated this directly to them, it would have weighed heavily upon their hearts—especially as the notion of suffering would later bewilder them. Yet, spoken to others, it became less burdensome for them to hear. Furthermore, recognizing that John's suffering might have led his followers to ridicule him, the Savior diminishes their pride with these statements. Still, He refrains from mentioning His resurrection, as the moment was not right. While it was natural for Him to face death as a human being, His resurrection transcended nature. In this instance, too, the Savior acts similarly to before. Just as He previously demonstrated that His association with sinners was praiseworthy rather than blameworthy, now He illustrates that those who unwarrantedly accuse others lack understanding regarding how to properly guide their followers.

Because of this understanding, Montanus, Prisca, and Maximilla continue to observe the quadricentenary even after Pentecost, as it is believed that the sons of the Bridegroom should fast once He has been taken from them. The practice of the Church emphasizes preparing for the Lord's suffering and resurrection through physical discipline, thereby readying ourselves for the spiritual banquet by means of bodily fasting. In a symbolic sense, we must recognize that while the Bridegroom remains among us and we are filled with joy, fasting and mourning are not appropriate. Yet when He departs from us due to our transgressions, it is then necessary to appoint fasting and to resume our mourning.

Fasting signifies grief and is fitting for those who are incomplete, but they should find joy while I am with them, hearing My words. Yet, there will come days when the bridegroom will be taken away, and in that time, they will fast. Here, He foreshadowed His impending death, indicating that thereafter, the disciples would experience fasting and endure great tribulation.

They are akin to those entrusted by the bridegroom with the care of the bridal chamber, the bridegroom's devoted companions, and the first guests at the wedding feast. As your friend and teacher, John, is in prison, this surely is a moment of sorrow and fasting for you. You know he has communicated that he is merely the friend of the Bridegroom, but I am the Bridegroom, who unites myself with the New Church in place of the departed synagogue. Consequently, this current time, when I am with my disciples, should be filled with joy, just as your teacher mentioned: And the friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the sound of the Bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29). Fasting indeed carries a sense of sadness; not due to its essence, for it can be a sweet and valuable practice for those pursuing spiritual growth, but because my disciples are still fragile, making it an inopportune time for them. However, this state of affairs will not persist; for THE DAYS WILL COME when I will not only be absent but will be forcibly taken away. Their loved ones will be taken from them, just as John was taken from you—the time will arrive when I will be surrendered to death on the cross and thereafter ascend into heaven. AT THAT TIME, THEY WILL FAST, then they will express their mourning and will mandate fasting for themselves, as they will face hunger and thirst while being persecuted for My name. In these words, St. Chrysostom observes, the Lord initiates His first prophecy regarding His suffering, gently preparing His disciples for seemingly sorrowful events. Had He revealed this to them directly, it would have been particularly distressing for them; thus, when He later spoke to them about His suffering, they were bewildered. However, His earlier expressions to others made it less painful for His disciples to hear. The Lord's statement regarding His disciples fasting in His absence came to fruition: at His ascension, we witness them fasting and praying.

The time for sorrow and fasting has not yet arrived; however, the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” With this statement, Jesus indicated to His disciples that His presence with them would not be permanent and that He would be taken from them, leading to a time of trial, sorrow, and fasting; yet they did not grasp the meaning of His words.

John, your beloved teacher, is imprisoned, and it may be a moment of sorrow and fasting for you; however, I remain with My disciples, and it is for them a time of joy and exultation (Theophilus, see Chrysostom). - “The bridegroom shall be taken away from them”: this refers to John's removal from his disciples. This clearly indicates the Lord’s foretelling of His death. - “Then shall they fast”: they will show their sorrow and choose to fast. Of course, this does not imply an unbroken period of fasting, as the Church has established certain fasts, not a perpetual fast. The meaning is that when I am taken away from them in body, they will express their grief through fasting, but for now, it remains a time of joy and celebration for them (see Chrysostom and Theophilus).