Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:14

"Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?" — Matthew 9:14 (ASV)

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

We must not suppose that, because a thing is proper for ourselves, it must therefore be binding upon everybody else. It might be fit and right that the disciples of John should fast often; their circumstances might require it; but it might be quite wrong for the disciples of Christ to fast, as they might be in very different circumstances.

The disciples of John, like their leader, were ascetics and therefore, like the Pharisees, fasted frequently. They were scandalized because the disciples of Jesus were seen at feasts and were not known to fast. They did not murmur in secret like the scribes, but took the matter up directly, face to face. They came to Him. Like honest friends, who felt hurt, they came to headquarters and asked the Lord Himself.

This open expression prevented later dissension and it was therefore wise. When good people differ, it is good to refer the matter to the Lord Himself. To agree to differ may be all very well, but to have the difference removed by explanation is far better.