Luke 5:33
What does Luke 5:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:33 means
They object that John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast often and pray, but Jesus’ disciples eat and drink. The objection appeals to religious discipline as evidence of authenticity: fasting and asceticism mark devotion, while feasting suggests laxity. Their charge equates piety with external rites and contrasts it with Jesus’ apparent informality. The point challenges Jesus to explain why his disciples’ behavior differs in time and purpose from other groups. Jesus will answer by pointing to the proper timing and nature of fasting compared to the season of joyous presence with the bridegroom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said to him, The disciples of John frequently go without food, and make prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees; but your disciples take food and drink.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they said unto him, `Wherefore do the disciples of John fast often, and make supplications--in like manner also those of the Pharisees--but thine do eat and drink?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they said to him: Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees in like manner; but thine eat and drink?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often and make supplications, in like manner those also of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink?
Context
This skeptical challenge follows the mission statement and sets the stage for Jesus’ parable about the bridegroom. It reveals the critics’ expectation that true piety looks like self-denial. The verse leads into Jesus’ illustration that his presence with followers is like a wedding season—not a time for fasting—introducing a metaphor that prepares for parables about new garments and wineskins.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 9:14
Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
- Romans 10:2
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
- Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.
- Mark 12:40
they that devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.
- Mark 2:18
And 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?
- Luke 20:47
who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.
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