9:14-15 Who is the bridegroom Jesus refers to here?

This passage of scripture refers to any bridegroom (cp also Mk 2:18-20; Lk 5:33-35).

Jesus simply used the analogy of a wedding party to answer John’s disciples’ questions as to why Jesus’ disciples did not fast as they and the Pharisees’ disciples did. Jesus’ point was that as long as He was with the disciples, like the bridegroom with his friends, there was too much joy for fasting.

Fasting in the Old Testament was always associated with mourning or times of great spiritual need. This did not befit a marriage scene, where much festivity took place (cp Lev 16:29-31; 2Sam 12:15-23).

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