Mar 2:18 | NETfull | STEP | Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

Mark 2:18

The Superiority of the New

18 Now ^{▼▼ Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.} John’s ^{▼▼ John refers to John the Baptist.} disciples and the Pharisees ^{▼▼ See the note on Pharisees in 2:16.} were fasting. ^{▼▼ John’s disciples and the Pharisees followed typical practices with regard to fasting and prayer. Many Jews fasted regularly (Lev 16:29–34; 23:26–32; Num 29:7–11). The zealous fasted twice a week on Monday and Thursday.} So ^{▼▼ Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “So” to indicate that in the narrative this question happened as a result of the fasting of John’s disciples and the Pharisees.} they came to Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”