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Explanation for:
Matthew
9
:
15
And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom 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 they shall fast.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Roshdestwenski W.G.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":0,"exegesis-text":"It is important to understand this as we approach Palestine on this sacred day of Great Friday. On this day, instead of celebrating the previously consecrated Liturgy or the complete Liturgy, we partake in a meal and consume food in remembrance of the Crucifixion. Those who are ill or elderly and unable to fast may receive bread and water after sunset. This practice stems from the holy directives of the apostles, emphasizing abstention from eating on Great Pentecost. The Lord's words to the Pharisees remind us that once the Bridegroom is taken away, fasting is to be observed during those times. The blessed Apostles recognized this teaching, which is documented in the Apostolic Traditions, reflecting care in its transmission. Additionally, the authentic letter from the most holy Archbishop Dionysius of Alexandria supports this perspective. Lenten Triodion. Note after the Images of Great Friday."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Bridegroom represents Christ, while the Church symbolizes the Bride. This sacred and spiritual union has given rise to the apostles, who find no sorrow as long as they witness the Bridegroom with the Bride and recognize His presence. However, once the time of the marriage feast concludes, ushering in the period of suffering and resurrection, the sons of the Bridegroom will observe fasting. Consequently, some believe that fasting should occur forty days after Christ's sufferings, even though the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit immediately follow, providing us ample reason to celebrate. Because of this understanding, Montanus, Prisca, and Maximilla continue to observe the quadricentenary even after Pentecost, as it is believed that the sons of the Bridegroom should fast once He has been taken from them. The practice of the Church emphasizes preparing for the Lord's suffering and resurrection through physical discipline, thereby readying ourselves for the spiritual banquet by means of bodily fasting. In a symbolic sense, we must recognize that while the Bridegroom remains among us and we are filled with joy, fasting and mourning are not appropriate. Yet when He departs from us due to our transgressions, it is then necessary to appoint fasting and to resume our mourning."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He did not criticize the disciples of John, nor did He label them as prideful; instead, He responded to them with complete gentleness. When Jesus advocated for others, particularly the tax collectors, He sternly admonished those who criticized Him to uplift those who were disheartened. However, when faced with opposition regarding Himself and His disciples, He remained humble in His response. Jesus queried, “Can the sons of the bridal chamber mourn while the bridegroom is present?” Earlier, He had referred to Himself as a healer; now, He identifies as a bridegroom, thereby unveiling profound mysteries. He could have sharply rebuked them, saying, “You have no authority to legislate concerning fasting! What benefit is fasting when your hearts are filled with deceit, when you judge and condemn others while ignoring your own faults? First, you must abandon arrogance and cultivate virtues like love, gentleness, and fellowship.” Yet, Christ does not issue such a rebuke; instead, He replies gently, “The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast as long as the bridegroom is with them,” reminding them of John’s words, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the voice of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). The essence of Christ's message is clear: the present moment is one of joy, so do not turn it into sorrow. While fasting can evoke sadness, it is not inherently so; for those striving for wisdom, it can be a joyful and fulfilling pursuit. Just as physical health brings delight, so too does the soul's prosperity bring even greater joy. Thus, the Savior tailored His response to their perspective. Isaiah described fasting as the humility of the soul (Isa. 58:3), and Moses used similar terms (Num. 30:14). However, the Savior silenced John’s disciples not only through this explanation but also by indicating, “The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” In these words, He signifies that fasting is not merely for the sake of ritual, but part of a watchful and extraordinary devotion. While addressing the adversaries, He also begins to forewarn His disciples about His impending suffering, encouraging them to prepare for what may seem distressing. Had He articulated this directly to them, it would have weighed heavily upon their hearts—especially as the notion of suffering would later bewilder them. Yet, spoken to others, it became less burdensome for them to hear. Furthermore, recognizing that John's suffering might have led his followers to ridicule him, the Savior diminishes their pride with these statements. Still, He refrains from mentioning His resurrection, as the moment was not right. While it was natural for Him to face death as a human being, His resurrection transcended nature. In this instance, too, the Savior acts similarly to before. Just as He previously demonstrated that His association with sinners was praiseworthy rather than blameworthy, now He illustrates that those who unwarrantedly accuse others lack understanding regarding how to properly guide their followers."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord indicates that the period He spends with His followers is one of celebration. He refers to Himself as ‘the bridegroom,’ signifying His union with a new community of believers since the former one has perished. When He mentions ‘the sons of the bridal chamber,’ He is speaking of the apostles. He also notes there will come a time when they will experience fasting, enduring hunger, thirst, and persecution after He has endured suffering and ascended. To illustrate the disciples' lack of completeness, He states, “See Matthew 9:16.”"},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In the earlier passages, He referred to Himself as a healer, and here He describes Himself as a bridegroom, which is fitting: a healer because He restores the ailing spirit, and a bridegroom because He unites to Himself those who pursue a pure life. He identifies those eligible for this union as sons. In this moment, He recalls the words of John, who proclaimed, ‘He who has the bride is the bridegroom: and the friend of the bridegroom, standing and listening to him, rejoices for the voice of the bridegroom’ (John 3:29). Therefore, the essence of His statement is this: I have come to engage and connect through faith the assembly of believers, and this period of engagement is one of celebration rather than sorrow; thus, those who partake in this union cannot fast. Fasting signifies grief and is fitting for those who are incomplete, but they should find joy while I am with them, hearing My words. Yet, there will come days when the bridegroom will be taken away, and in that time, they will fast. Here, He foreshadowed His impending death, indicating that thereafter, the disciples would experience fasting and endure great tribulation."},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus Christ neither dismissed fasting nor other traditions; however, He viewed fasting as an expression of grief and believed it was inappropriate during His time with His disciples. There would be a more fitting time for fasting—during their separation from Him. The Christian Church encourages fasting on days when it reflects on the sufferings of Jesus Christ or on days dedicated to repentance for the sins that create a divide between us and God."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord might have responded by saying, “You have no authority to legislate on fasting. What value is your fasting if your heart is filled with deceit, if you judge others to validate your own worth? First eradicate pride, and then fulfill the commandments of love, gentleness, and humility.” Yet, the Lord does not scold John’s disciples; He refrains from labeling them as 'self-important'; rather, He recognizes their spiritual distress due to their teacher's imprisonment. Compassionately, He responds to their perplexing inquiry with kindness: “And JESUS said unto them, CAN THE SONS OF THE MOTHER OF HONOUR fast while the bridegroom is with them? They are akin to those entrusted by the bridegroom with the care of the bridal chamber, the bridegroom's devoted companions, and the first guests at the wedding feast. As your friend and teacher, John, is in prison, this surely is a moment of sorrow and fasting for you. You know he has communicated that he is merely the friend of the Bridegroom, but I am the Bridegroom, who unites myself with the New Church in place of the departed synagogue. Consequently, this current time, when I am with my disciples, should be filled with joy, just as your teacher mentioned: And the friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the sound of the Bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29). Fasting indeed carries a sense of sadness; not due to its essence, for it can be a sweet and valuable practice for those pursuing spiritual growth, but because my disciples are still fragile, making it an inopportune time for them. However, this state of affairs will not persist; for THE DAYS WILL COME when I will not only be absent but will be forcibly taken away. Their loved ones will be taken from them, just as John was taken from you—the time will arrive when I will be surrendered to death on the cross and thereafter ascend into heaven. AT THAT TIME, THEY WILL FAST, then they will express their mourning and will mandate fasting for themselves, as they will face hunger and thirst while being persecuted for My name. In these words, St. Chrysostom observes, the Lord initiates His first prophecy regarding His suffering, gently preparing His disciples for seemingly sorrowful events. Had He revealed this to them directly, it would have been particularly distressing for them; thus, when He later spoke to them about His suffering, they were bewildered. However, His earlier expressions to others made it less painful for His disciples to hear. The Lord's statement regarding His disciples fasting in His absence came to fruition: at His ascension, we witness them fasting and praying."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The ‘sons of the bridal chamber’ (see Joel 2:16, Tobit 6:16) are those entrusted by the bridegroom with the responsibility of safeguarding the bridal chamber, acting as his genuine friends and honored guests at the wedding. “Can they be sorrowful while the bridegroom is with them?” This is a season of joy and celebration for them; during this period, sorrow is out of place, and fasting, which signifies mourning, is not appropriate. The clear message here is that while I am present with My disciples, it is not the time for them to experience sadness or express their grief through fasting. John, your beloved teacher, is imprisoned, and it may be a moment of sorrow and fasting for you; however, I remain with My disciples, and it is for them a time of joy and exultation (Theophilus, see Chrysostom). - “The bridegroom shall be taken away from them”: this refers to John's removal from his disciples. This clearly indicates the Lord’s foretelling of His death. - “Then shall they fast”: they will show their sorrow and choose to fast. Of course, this does not imply an unbroken period of fasting, as the Church has established certain fasts, not a perpetual fast. The meaning is that when I am taken away from them in body, they will express their grief through fasting, but for now, it remains a time of joy and celebration for them (see Chrysostom and Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In His reply to the disciples of John, Jesus referenced the words of John himself. They likely recalled John's statement after a disagreement with the Jews regarding purification: “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices to hear the voice of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). To remind them of this, Jesus asked, “Can you make the sons of the bridal chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? For your teacher referred to me as the bridegroom, and himself as the friend of the bridegroom; a friend who should rejoice while the bridegroom is present and not mourn or fast. Thus, my disciples—friends of the bridegroom and sons of the bridal chamber—should be filled with joy as long as I am with them and they hear my voice. The time for sorrow and fasting has not yet arrived; however, the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” With this statement, Jesus indicated to His disciples that His presence with them would not be permanent and that He would be taken from them, leading to a time of trial, sorrow, and fasting; yet they did not grasp the meaning of His words."}]}
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