And Jesus said unto them,
Can the friends of the bridegroom 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.
All Commentaries on Matthew 9:15 Go To Matthew 9
Severus of Antioch
AD 538
When John’s disciples approached … they questioned him even while he was at table, in the manner of a physician with the publicans: “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, whereas your disciples do not fast?” Do you see how the same jealousy motivates and provokes birds of a feather and is made keen by the cruel goad of envy? On the one hand, it set the Pharisees, who boasted about being teachers, against the Teacher. For that reason they also said, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On the other hand, envy set John’s disciples against Christ’s disciples. That is why they also said, “How come your disciples do not fast?” Cathedral Sermons, Homily