Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:15

What does Matthew 9:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:15 means

Jesus responds to the question about fasting with an analogy: wedding guests do not mourn while the bridegroom is present. He identifies Himself as the Bridegroom, signifying a time of joy and celebration. However, He prophesies that a day will come when the Bridegroom (Himself) will be taken away, at which point His disciples will fast. This points to His future suffering and departure (ascension) and the subsequent period of the church where fasting would again become appropriate in His physical absence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to them, Will the friends of the newly-married man be sad as long as he is with them? But the days will come when he will be taken away from them, and then will they go without food.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus said to them, `Can the sons of the bride-chamber mourn, so long as the bridegroom is with them? but days shall come when the bridegroom may be taken from them, and then they shall fast.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn so long as the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Context

This verse provides Jesus' initial response to John's disciples' question about fasting, using the powerful imagery of a bridegroom. It directly follows their inquiry, explaining why fasting is not appropriate for His disciples in His current presence. This analogy sets the theological groundwork for the subsequent parables, emphasizing the incompatibility of the new reality He brings with old, rigid religious practices.

v.14Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

v.15This passage

v.16And no man putteth a piece of undressed cloth upon an old garment; for that which should fill it up taketh from the garment, and a worse rent is made.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:9

    And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

  • John 16:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:5

    Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

  • Judges 14:11

    And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

  • John 16:6

    But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

  • Isaiah 22:12

    And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

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