Matthew 9:15

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen act sadly while the groom is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Cross References

Revelation 19:9

Then the angel said to me [See 17:1; 18:1-2], “Write [this]: Those who are invited to the wedding reception of the Lamb are blessed.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

John 3:29

The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus’ ministry].

Revelation 21:2

And I [also] saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Acts 14:23

And when Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders [for the churches] in every congregation and had prayed and fasted [over these elders], they committed them to [the care of] the Lord, in whom they had come to trust.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Do not deprive each other [of these marital rights], except by mutual agreement, so that you can spend the time in prayer. Then resume [normal sexual] relations again, so Satan is not able to tempt you [i.e., to have an affair] because of your lack of self-control.

John 16:6

And now that I have told you these things, your hearts are full of grief.

2 Corinthians 11:27

I have worked and suffered. I have often gone without sleep, been hungry and thirsty, often gone without food [i.e., for spiritual reasons], been cold and had inadequate clothing.

Matthew 9:14

Some of John’s disciples came to Jesus saying, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast frequently [i.e., going without food and/or drink for religious reasons], but your disciples do not fast [at all]?”

Matthew 9:16

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment; for what was intended to cover up [the hole] actually tears away [part of] the garment [i.e., when it shrinks], causing a bigger hole.

Mark 2:19

Jesus answered them, “Can the companions of the groom fast while the groom is still with them? As long as they have the groom with them they cannot fast.

Mark 2:20

But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast at that time.

Luke 5:34

Jesus answered them, “Can you force the companions of the groom to fast while the groom is [still] with them?

Luke 5:35

But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them [Note: Jesus here refers to Himself]. Then they will fast at that time.”

Luke 17:22

Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man [i.e., the time when the Messiah would deliver His people from tribulation], but you will not see it [i.e., such deliverance would not occur during their lifetimes].