And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

MARK 2:18KJV
Know the Bible

Mark 2:18 (KJV)

What does Mark 2:18 mean?

Mark 2:18 presents a question about why Jesus’ followers behave differently from two other religious groups. John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples practiced fasting, but Jesus’ disciples were not fasting in the same way. The question sets up Jesus’ explanation in the verses that follow.

Fasting meant going without food for a time, often as part of religious practice. The people who come to Jesus compare his followers with those of John and the Pharisees. John is John the Baptist, and the Pharisees were a Jewish religious group concerned with keeping God’s law.

The Greek behind Mark 2:18

  • “disciples” — μαθηταί (mathētai): This means learners or followers of a teacher. The word helps show that the question compares groups formed around different teachers.
  • “used to fast” — νηστεύοντες (nēsteuontes): This refers to abstaining from food. The Greek form describes John’s disciples and the Pharisees as fasting, setting the scene for the question that follows.

Why Mark 2:18 matters

  • The question concerns a visible difference in practice, not simply a disagreement over words. The questioners notice that Jesus’ disciples “fast not” while the other groups fast.
  • The comparison prepares the reader for Jesus’ answer about the right time for fasting. In the next verse, Jesus speaks of wedding guests and the presence of the bridegroom.

Where else these words appear

“fast” Greek G3522 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Matthew 9:15 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.
  • Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

“thy” Greek G4674 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
  • John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

“do” Greek G1302 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
  • Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
  • John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

“Pharisees” Greek G5330 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
  • Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.