Matthew 9:15
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Μὴ
Can
G3361
Μὴ
Can
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὶ
the children
G5207
υἱοὶ
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
9 of 31
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφ'
as long as
G1909
ἐφ'
as long as
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλεύσονται
will come
G2064
ἐλεύσονται
will come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
20 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἡμέραι
the days
G2250
ἡμέραι
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
22 of 31
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
23 of 31
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
25 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Revelation 19:9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.John 3:29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.Revelation 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.John 16:6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.Isaiah 22:12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:2 Corinthians 11:27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Historical Context
Jewish weddings lasted up to seven days of continuous celebration. Wedding guests were exempt from religious obligations (including fasting) during festivities. The joy was communal and mandatory—mourning at a wedding was offensive. Old Testament prophets used wedding imagery for God's covenant relationship with Israel. Jesus appropriates this imagery messianically, claiming divine prerogatives. His prediction of being 'taken' (violent removal) anticipates crucifixion. Early Christians understood the church as bride awaiting the Bridegroom's return (Revelation 19:7-9). Church history shows periodic fasting as expressing longing for Christ's second coming.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Jesus as Bridegroom transform our relationship with Him?
- What is appropriate Christian fasting in light of Christ's presence through the Spirit?
- How should the church balance celebration of Christ's presence with longing for His return?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' response uses wedding imagery: 'Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?' (μη δυνανται οι υιοι του νυμφωνος πενθειν εφ οσον μετ αυτων εστιν ο νυμφιος). 'Children of the bridechamber' refers to wedding guests, specifically attendants celebrating with the groom. Fasting expresses mourning or longing; feasting expresses joy and celebration. Jesus identifies Himself as the Bridegroom—stunning messianic claim, as Old Testament depicts God as Israel's Bridegroom (Isaiah 54:5, Hosea 2:16). His presence inaugurates the messianic wedding feast. To fast while the Bridegroom is present would be inappropriate, like mourning at a wedding. Jesus then prophesies His departure: 'But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.' This predicts His death ('taken,' αρθη) and the church's subsequent longing for His return.