Week 11 - Matthew 9 v 14 to 17 Jesus questioned about fasting

Matthew 9

New International Version

Jesus questioned about fasting

¹⁴Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’

¹⁵Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

¹⁶‘No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.’

·        Why do you think that John the Baptists disciples and Pharisees fasted often?

·        Why do you think that John the Baptists disciples questioned it?

·        What did they make of Jesus’ response regarding mourning the bridegroom?

·        What do you make of verse 16?

Please email Brother Phil your answers and further discussion.