Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
The Piety of Fasting
Commentators explain that in Jesus' time, fasting was a key sign of religious devotion. While the Old Testament only required one annual fast, stricter Pharisees fasted twice a week. The question to Jesus wasn't just about food; it was a public challenge suggesting His disciples lacked the piety of other religious groups.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Mark
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Mark 2:18
18th Century
Theologian
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast. Were accustomed often to fast. Compare Luke 5:33; Luke 18:12.
AT Robertson
On Mark 2:18
John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting (ησαν ο μαθητα Ιωανου κα ο Φαρισαιο νηστευοντες). The periphrastic imperfect, so c…
Charles Ellicott
On Mark 2:18–22
19th Century
Bishop
And the disciples of John... used to fast.—Better, were fasting. See Notes on Matthew 9:14-17. The only differen…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On Mark 2:18–20
19th Century
Preacher
While Christ was with His people in person, they could not help having joy and gladness; but when He was gone from them, they must lament His absen…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Mark 2:18
In the law the only required fast was on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29, 31; 23:27–32), but after the Exile four other annual fa…
John Gill
On Mark 2:18
17th Century
Pastor
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast Or "were fasting"; perhaps that very day, and so were the mor…
Matthew Henry
On Mark 2:18–22
17th Century
Minister
Strict professors of faith are inclined to blame all who do not fully measure up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we should be w…