Mark 2:18

18 Now the followers of Johnn and the Pharisees often gave up eating for a certain time. Some people came to Jesus and said, "Why do John's followers and the followers of the Pharisees often give up eating, but your followers don't?"

Mark 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 2:18

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to
fast
Or "were fasting"; perhaps that very day, and so were the more displeased at this entertainment, Matthew had made for Christ and his disciples, and at their being at it; or fasting was usual with them: they fasted often, both John's disciples, and the disciples of the Pharisees, or the Pharisees themselves; so the Vulgate Latin reads: of their frequent fasting, (See Gill on Matthew 9:14),

and they came:
both the disciples of John, ( Matthew 9:14 ) , and the Scribes and Pharisees, ( Luke 5:30 Luke 5:33 ) ,

and say unto him, why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees
fast, but thy disciples fast not? (See Gill on Matthew 9:14).

Mark 2:18 In-Context

16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with the tax collectors and "sinners," they asked his followers, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

17 Jesus heard this and said to them, "It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. I did not come to invite good people but to invite sinners."

18 Now the followers of Johnn and the Pharisees often gave up eating for a certain time. Some people came to Jesus and said, "Why do John's followers and the followers of the Pharisees often give up eating, but your followers don't?"

19 Jesus answered, "The friends of the bridegroom do not give up eating while the bridegroom is still with them. As long as the bridegroom is with them, they cannot give up eating.

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