Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 9:14-15

"Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber 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 will they fast." — Matthew 9:14-15 (ASV)

Then came to him the disciples of John, etc. (Luke 5:33–39). That is, John the Baptist. It is probable that they had understood that John was the forerunner of the Messiah; and if this was the case, they could not understand why there was such a difference between them and the disciples of Jesus. The Pharisees fasted often, regularly twice a week, besides the great national days of fasting (Luke 18:12). See Barnes on Matthew 6:16-18.

This was the established custom of the land, and John did not feel authorized to make such a significant change as to dispense with it. They wanted to know, therefore, why Jesus had done so.

Besides, it is probable that this question was asked of him when John was in prison; and his disciples, deeply grieved on account of it, observed days of fasting. Fasting was the natural expression of sorrow, and they wondered why the followers of Jesus did not join with them in lamenting the captivity of the one who was the forerunner and baptizer of their Lord.

Christ, in reply to them, used three illustrations, all of them establishing the same point: 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 groomsmen, or men who had the special care of the bridal chamber, and who were therefore his special friends—do not think of fasting while the bridegroom is with them.

For them, it is a time of festivity and rejoicing, and mourning would not be appropriate. When the bridegroom is removed or taken away, then their festivity will be ended, and then will be the proper time for sorrow. So, he says, 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 appropriate that they should use the tokens of grief and fast now. When I am taken away, it will then be proper for them to fast. For an account of the ceremonies of an Eastern marriage, see Barnes on Matthew 25:1-13.