Matthew 9:14

On Fasting

¹³ Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].” ¹⁴ Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Jesus, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast [as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?” ¹⁵ And Jesus replied to them, “Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Abstain from

Disciples Came

Jesus

John

Pharisees

Matthew 11:2

Now when John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples

John 3:25

Therefore there arose a controversy between John’s disciples and a Jew in regard to purification (ceremonial washing).

John 4:1

So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had been told that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John

Proverbs 20:6

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?

Matthew 6:16

“And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Matthew 11:18-19

For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

Mark 2:18-22

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting [as a ritual]; and they came and asked Jesus, “Why are John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fasting, but Your disciples are not doing so?”

Luke 5:33-39

Then they said to Him, “The disciples of John [the Baptist] often practice fasting and offer prayers [of special petition], and so do the disciples of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink.”

Luke 18:9-12

He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [posing outwardly as upright and in right standing with God], and who viewed others with contempt: