Fasting or Feasting?

INTRODUCTION

We are looking again today at Mark’s Gospel

So please take God’s Word and turn with me to chapter two

Our text this morning is verses 18-22

Mark 2:18–22 NASB95

18 John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 “But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 “No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

John Philips said…

Exploring the Gospel of Mark: An Expository Commentary (1) A Challenge concerning Fasting (2:18–22)

We are now introduced to some strange bedfellows. The Pharisees, as a group, rejected the ministry of John the Baptist. John, in turn, denounced the Pharisees as “a generation of vipers” (Matt. 3:7). But here the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees, who are at odds about most things, find that they have something in common—fasting. The disciples of John fasted evidently because they thought it to be a proof of their repentance; the Pharisees fasted because they considered it part of their religion.

The context for these verses is found in verses 14-17

This is the passage that we studied last week where we learned of Jesus’ calling of Matthew to follow Him

We saw Matthew’s response in verse 14, which says, “he got up and followed Him”

His response was immediate

He obviously heard Jesus teach and talk about sin and forgiveness

That’s why when Jesus said to follow Him, he was convicted over his sin and embraced His forgiveness

We don’t hear any of this other than him getting up and following Him but he was obviously convicted

Jesus doesn’t accept unrepentant sinners

That’s clear from how He responded to the scribes, Pharisees and the Sadduccees

They wouldn’t repent

That’s why John called them “a brood of vipers” and also called for them to “bring forth fruits worthy of repentance” (Mat.3:7-8)

Martin Lloyd Jones said…

The Holy Spirit always convicts—always.

Since that is the case, Matthew was convicted

You and I was convicted before God saved us

Jesus said in John 16:8, that the Holy Spirit “convict[s] the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”

Jones goes on to say…

“The spirit of bondage and fear” always precede the “Spirit of adoption”.

In Acts chapter two, after Peter preached to those assembled in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, verse 37 says, “they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?””

First they were “pierced to the heart” or convicted over their sin of murdering the Messiah, so they asked “What shall we do?”

Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

It is an essential part of the gospel that conviction must always precede conversion; the gospel of Christ condemns before it releases (Jones).

After Matthew threw a banquet for Jesus, His disciples and his fellow tax collectors, it says in verse 15 that “many of them…were following Him” (v.15)

What does that mean?

It means they too were convicted over their sin and therefore repented and started “following Him”

The story that we’re looking at now is connected to the previous one

In verses 13-17 you have a “feast” and now in verses 18-22 you have a “fast”

During the “feast,” the “scribes of the Pharisees” asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?”

And now in verse 18 a second group joins them and asks in the midst of their feast why they weren’t “fasting”

Jesus answers the first question in verse 17 and addresses their lack of personal insight into their own need of righteousness that is only available from Jesus Christ

But first they needed to be convicted of their sin, repent and follow Jesus

The tax collectors knew they were sick and needed a physician to heal them

Jesus was that Physician

The Pharisees did not see that they were “sick”

So instead of coming to Jesus convicted of their sin, they were offended by Him

Evans points out that "Controversy over Jesus’ teaching and style of ministry is growing. He provoked controversy when he healed the paralyzed man and assured him that his sins were forgiven (Mark 2:1–12). Jesus provoked more controversy when he was observed eating with sinners (Mark 2:15–17). He and his disciples now face criticism for not fasting, a criticism that has been accentuated by falling right on the heals of the dinner party in the previous passage. Sabbath controversies will follow (in Mark 2:23–28 and 3:1–6)." (BKBC)

Both groups had two separate views of Jesus

The tax collectors and sinners embraced Him and rejoiced in His forgiveness of sin

The Pharisees were furious with Him because 1) He was eating with them and 2) He and His disciples weren’t fasting

You don’t hear much in the church today about fasting

This text mentions it 6 times

Mark mentions it a total of 38 times

It occurs a total of 139 times in the OT LXX and the NT

What is fasting?

“Fasting” (nesteuo) is simply “abstaining from food” (LEX LXX Lexicon)

We’ll talk about the purpose of fasting in just a moment but first let’s consider…

I. The Question About Fasting (v.18)

The question came from two groups…

“The Disciples of John” and “The Pharisees”

That is interesting because both groups were so different and at odds with each other except for now

Now they had common ground for which they came to Jesus about

John MacArthur tells us their presence

“is surprising in light of John’s unwavering testimony regarding Jesus (cf. John 1:29; 3:28–30; 5:33). As the herald of the Messiah, John the Baptist boldly pointed his followers to Jesus (cf. Mark 1:7; John 1:36–37), and even baptized the Lord after faithfully proclaiming His arrival (1:9–11). On that occasion, the prophet saw the Holy Spirit descend and heard the affirmation of the Father’s voice (Matt. 3:13–17). Moreover, John had not hesitated to confront the scribes and Pharisees (cf. Matt. 3:7). Why then would some of his followers join them in questioning Jesus on this occasion? (MacArthur, John. Mark 1–8. Moody Publishers, 2015, pp. 126–27).

The “disciples of John” were followers of John the Baptist who did not transfer their allegiance to Jesus (MacArthur)

The “Pharisees” were a legalistic sect of Jews known for their strict devotion to the ceremonial law (MacArthur)

Last week I said there were about 600 of them during this time

I meant to say 6000

Both groups were upset because Jesus and His disciples did not fast

Lenski says, “They were fasting, and Jesus allowed His disciples to feast”

John’s disciples were probably fasting because John the Baptist was in prison (1:14)

The Pharisees were fasting of their own accord flaunting their spiritual pride

The Practice of Fasting

The imperfect tense is used with the word “fasting” and could be understood as a “practice of fasting”

In other words, the question could be read back this way, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees make a practice to fast but your disciples do not make it a practice to fast?

There were other times for fasting but the only commanded was during the Day of Atonement

The Jews would fast:

During the judgments of God - Joel 1:14, “Consecrate a fast, Proclaim a solemn assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land To the house of the Lord your God, And cry out to the Lord.”

During public calamities - 2 Samuel 1:12, “They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”

During afflictions - Daniel 6:18, “Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.”

During approaching danger - Esther 4:16, “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.””

During the ordination of Pastors - Acts 13:3, “Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Fasting was always accompanied by:

Prayer - Daniel 9:3, “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”

Confession of sin - 1 Samuel 7:6, “They gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.”

Mourning - Joel 2:12, “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;”

Humiliation - Nehemiah 9:1, “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.”

Before we hear Jesus’ answer let’s look at…

II. The Purpose of Fasting (v.18)

Why fast?

First

The Mosaic Law required fasting once a year on…

The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur

Leviticus 16:29–31, “29 This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; 30 for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 “It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute.”

This was a day when the sanctuary was cleansed of impurity

It was a day when their sins were dealt with through blood rituals and sending a scapegoat into the wilderness

It took place on the 10th day of the seventh month (Lexham Bible Dictionary)

According to Acts 27:9, it was known as “The Fast”

It’s purpose was to…

Humble Yourselves

The phrase “you shall humble your souls” is translated “deny yourselves” (LEB, NIV) and “afflict yourselves” (ESV)

The word is literally “deprive your throats,” meaning “to fast” (The Jewish Study Bible)

This act was to “show penitence for their sins by not working, by fasting, and possibly by wearing sackcloth” (Sproul)

David said in Psalm 69:10–11, “10 When I wept in my soul with fasting, It became my reproach. 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.”

Leviticus Chapter 16

The fast began on the evening of the ninth day, and ended on the evening of the tenth, when it was succeeded by general feasting

This Day “served as a reminder that the daily, weekly and monthly sacrifices made at the altar of burnt offering were not sufficient to atone for sin.” (Pfeiffer, C. F. “Atonement, Day of.” New Bible Dictionary, p. 104)

It would only be in Jesus Christ that true forgiveness for sin could be found

The Pharisees fasted “every Monday and Thursday” (Brooks) using this time as a platform to flaunt their false devotion, like the proud Pharisee praying in Luke 18:12 saying, “‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’”

Jesus confronted their superficial spirituality in the Sermon on the Mount

This is where He taught that fasting, prayer, and almsgiving were to be done in secret, to honor God and not to impress others (MacArthur)

Jesus said in Matthew 6:16–18, “16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Most likely the feast that Matthew gave was on a Monday or Thursday when fasting was imposed by the Pharisees

That’s why they are there questioning Jesus’ disciples

In verses 19-22, Jesus gives…

III. The Answer About Fasting (vv.19-22)

He said, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.”

Notice what Jesus says in verse 19 about…

The Presence of the Bridegroom (v.19)

“As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast”

Why? Because this is a time of rejoicing not mourning

Fasting at a wedding would be improper with the spirit of the occasion

That’s why in Matthew’s account, Jesus said in Matthew 9:15, “…The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?”

Mourning was associated with fasting not with the joyous occasion of a wedding

Song of Solomon 3:11, “Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And gaze on King Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, And on the day of his gladness of heart.””

Isaiah 62:5 says the bridegroom “rejoices over the bride”

John the Baptist said in John 3:29, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.”

“Jewish custom exempted [the attendants] from certain religious observances, including weekly fasts” (Hiebert)

Jesus said right now the time is to rejoice not mourn but with…

The Absence of the Bridegroom (v.20)

“But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day”

The present celebration (v.19) is provisional, for Jesus has yet to suffer and die (Sproul)

But when He is “taken from them” (v.20) then they will fast

That’s exactly what we see in the book of Acts:

Acts 13:2, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

Acts 14:23, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Jesus concludes with…

Two Parables (vv.21-22)

He says, “21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 “No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.””

Both parables are teaching the same thing

They are contrasting what is “old” with what is “new”

In verse 21, you have an “old garment” with the “new” patch

In verse 22, you have an “old wineskin” with “new wine”

Both are problematic

Mark Cloth Patches and Wineskins

If a garment has been washed several times and has shrunk, if it is then ripped, it cannot be patched with new cloth. If it is, the new cloth will then shrink, and the patch will tear loose and the original tear will be exacerbated.

So the best thing to do is discard it

The same is true with the old wineskins

Mark Cloth Patches and Wineskins

In the ancient world, the standard wineskin was a goatskin. When new wine was put in a new goatskin, the wine would ferment, emitting gasses that would expand and stretch the wineskin. New wine went into new wineskins because the new wineskins could stretch and handle the expansion. But every Jew in Israel understood that new wine could not be put into old wineskins because the old wineskins had already been stretched to the max. New wine would ferment and expand an old wineskin to the point of bursting. Then both the wineskin and the wine would be lost.

So…

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 3. A Question about Fasting (2:18–22)

Putting new wine into old wineskins (v. 22) and patching an old garment with a new cloth (v. 21) are just as inappropriate as fasting at a wedding feast.

So, what was Jesus saying with these two parables?

The old was the tradition and rituals of the Pharisees

The new was the Kingdom Jesus was offering

The old was a system of works that could never save

The new was the internal gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sin

The new could not be connected or contained in the old traditions of self-righteousness and ritual

So the old rituals, the ceremonial fastings practiced by the Pharisees and John’s disciples “were not fit for the new wine of the New Covenant era” (MacArthur)

They had no part with the gospel (MacArthur)

R.C. Sproul says…

Mark Cloth Patches and Wineskins

Something so transcendentally new had happened that they could not receive Christ into their lives without being made new themselves. It would be impossible to be a Christian and keep to the old ways.

In short, He was warning the Pharisees that, when the heavenly feast came, they were not going to be ready because they were rejecting their King. They were rejecting the Son of God.

CONCLUSION

Salvation is a casting off of the old and putting on the new

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Have you cast off the old life and traded it for the new?

Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

You have to exchange your life for Christ’s

If you’re not willing to do that, you cannot be saved

This is what it means to “lay aside the old self” and “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph.4:24).

You can make that exchange right now by calling on the name of the Lord to save you

Call on Him now as we pray

Let’s pray