Matthew Chapter 9, Verse 15
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15: και ειπεν αυτοις ο ιησους μη δυνανται οι υιοι του νυμφωνος πενθειν εφ οσον μετ αυτων εστιν ο νυμφιος ελευσονται δε ημεραι οταν απαρθη απ αυτων ο νυμφιος και τοτε νηστευσουσιν
15: 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.
15: 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.
Jesus, in reply to them, used three illustrations, all of them going to establish the same thing, that we should observe a fitness and propriety in things. The first is taken from a marriage. The children of the bride-chamber - that is, the bridemen, or men who had the special care of the bridal chamber, and who were therefore his special friends - do not think of fasting while he is with them. With them it is a time of festivity and rejoicing; and mourning would not be appropriate. When he is removed, or taken away, then their festivity will be ended, and then will be the proper time of sorrow. So, says he, John, your friend and teacher, is in captivity. With you it is a time of deep grief, and it is fit that you should fast. I am with my disciples. It is, with them, a time of joy. It is not fit that they should use the tokens of grief, and fast now. When I am taken away, it will then be proper that they should fast. For an account of the ceremonies of an eastern marriage, See Barnes "Mt 25:1ff".
