Luke 5:34
What does Luke 5:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:34 means
Jesus asks whether the sons of the bridechamber can fast while the bridegroom is with them. He uses a wedding image to explain timing: when the bridegroom is present, guests celebrate, not fast. Jesus casts himself as the bridegroom, and his presence in the world inaugurates a joyful season. The implication is that certain disciplines wait for the appropriate time; while Jesus is actively with his followers, rejoicing and table fellowship fit the occasion. The metaphor suggests his ministry brings a period of celebration before the time of mourning or abstinence comes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus said, Are you able to make the friends of the newly-married man go without food when he is with them?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he said unto them, `Are ye able to make the sons of the bride-chamber--in the bridegroom being with them--to fast?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To whom he said: Can you make the children of the bridegroom fast whilst the bridegroom is with them?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to them, Can ye make the sons of the bridechamber fast when the bridegroom is with them?
Context
This response directly addresses the critics’ complaint about fasting and sits between the objection and Jesus’ warning that fasting will come later. The wedding metaphor reframes expectations about religious practice: some devotions are seasonal. It precedes two parables about the incompatibility of old and new religious forms—new cloth on old garment and new wine in old wineskins—highlighting that Jesus’ ministry inaugurates a new order requiring new practices.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 54:5
For thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
- John 3:29
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.
- Judges 14:10
And his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Song of Solomon 2:6
His left handisunder my head, And his right hand doth embrace me.
- Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
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