Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 5:33

"And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the [disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink." — Luke 5:33 (ASV)

By stating a fact about the disciples of John and of the Pharisees, the disciples are now criticized, not only for eating with sinners, but for having a lifestyle in contrast to proper religious decorum. Jesus’ answer is indeed remarkable. The first part of the saying is clear. Jesus compares the situation to a wedding (cf. Ephesians 5:25–33; Revelation 19:6–9), which naturally calls for joy. But to think at a wedding of the possibility of the groom’s death is highly unusual. Jesus seems to anticipate already here his rejection and his death at the hands of his enemies.