Luke 5:33

33 And they said to him, Why the disciples of John fast oft, and make prayers, also and of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink?

Luke 5:33 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 5:33

And they say unto him
The Scribes and Pharisees, or the disciples of John; see ( Matthew 9:14 )

why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers?
set times apart frequently for fasting and prayer. The Ethiopic version reads, "why do the disciples of John baptize frequently, fast, and make prayers?" in which the former clause is added; and as without any authority, so without judgment, since it must suppose that the Pharisees did so likewise, whereas they rejected the baptism of John; for it follows, and "likewise" the disciples of "the Pharisees"; who fasted often, at least twice in the week, and made frequent prayers in the synagogues, and corners of the streets, and in widows' houses.

But thine eat and drink?
instead of fasting and praying; (See Gill on Matthew 9:14).

Luke 5:33 In-Context

31 And Jesus answered, and said to them, They that be whole have no need to a physician, but they that be sick; [And Jesus answering saith to them, They that be whole have not need to a leech, but they that have evil;]

32 for I came not to call just men, but sinful men to penance.

33 And they said to him, Why the disciples of John fast oft, and make prayers, also and of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink?

34 To whom he said, Whether ye be able to make the sons of the spouse to fast [Whether ye may make the sons of the spouse to fast], while the spouse is with them?

35 But days shall come, when the spouse shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast in those days.