Luke 5:34

Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them?

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to the questioners in Luke 5:33 who contrast His disciples' eating with the frequent fasting of John's followers and the Pharisees. He addresses them directly in response to their challenge about proper discipleship practices.

The words — μὴ (mē) translates as "not" and introduces a rhetorical question that challenges the listeners' assumptions. δυνάσθε (dunasthe) means "are you able" and frames the inquiry around their capacity to impose ritual discipline.

The thread — The text states that John 3:29 identifies the bridegroom's friend as one who stands and listens, Matthew 25:1 describes virgins going out to meet the bridegroom, and Revelation 19:7 announces the marriage of the Lamb with His bride. These passages trace the motif from present anticipation to future fulfillment.

Why it lands — The verse asks readers to acknowledge that outward religious observance cannot override the reality of Christ's personal presence. It requires accepting that the current season demands fellowship rather than imposed mourning.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Cross-references

John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
Matthew 25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
Psalms 45:10 Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,
Song of Solomon 2:6 His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
Song of Solomon 3:10 He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric. Its interior is inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.
Song of Solomon 5:8 O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.
Song of Solomon 6:1 Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Which way has he turned? We will seek him with you.
Isaiah 54:5 For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.