Luke 5:33

33 They said to Jesus, "John's followers often give up eatingn for a certain time and pray, just as the Pharisees do. But your followers eat and drink all the time."

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 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick.

32 I have not come to invite good people but sinners to change their hearts and lives."

33 They said to Jesus, "John's followers often give up eatingn for a certain time and pray, just as the Pharisees do. But your followers eat and drink all the time."

34 Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the friends of the bridegroom give up eating while he is still with them.

35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will give up eating."