John Calvin Commentary Matthew 9:15

"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 9:15 (ASV)

Can the children of the bridegroom mourn? Christ apologizes for his disciples on account of the season, claiming that God was still pleased to allow them joyous feelings, as if they were present at a wedding: for he compares himself to the bridegroom, who enlivens his friends by his presence. Chrysostom thinks that this comparison was taken from the testimony of John the Baptist, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom (John 3:29). I have no objection to that view, though I do not think that it rests on solid grounds. Let us be satisfied with Christ’s declaration that he spares his disciples and treats them with gentleness as long as he is with them. So that no one may envy them advantages that are of short duration, he gives warning that they will very soon be treated with greater harshness and severity.

The apology rests on the consideration that fasting and prayers are suited to sorrow and adversity: extraordinary prayers, I mean, such as are mentioned here. Christ certainly intended to accustom them by degrees to greater patience, and not to lay a heavy burden on them until they gained more strength.

From this we ought to learn a twofold instruction. When the Lord sometimes endures the weakness of our brothers and sisters, and treats them with gentleness while he treats us with greater severity, we have no right to murmur. Again, when we sometimes obtain relief from sorrow and from vexations, let us beware of giving ourselves up to enjoyments; but let us, on the contrary, remember that the wedding festivities will not always last.

The children of the bridegroom, or of the nuptial bed, is a Hebrew phrase, which denotes the guests at a wedding.⁵²⁴

⁵²⁴ “Les fils de l’espoux, (comme il y a en tournant de mot a mot,) par une facon de parler des Hebrieux signifient ceux qui sont appelez au banquet des nopces.” — “.” — “The children of the bridegroom, (as the words may be literally rendered,) by a mode of speaking among the Hebrews, denote those who were invited to the marriage banquet.”(as the words may be literally rendered,) by a mode of speaking among the Hebrews, denote those who were invited to the marriage banquet.”