And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
What does Luke 5:33 mean?
It was a wonder of Christ's grace, that he would call a publican to be his disciple and follower. It was a wonder of his grace, that the call was made so effectual.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Luke 5:33-35 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 5:33
Fasting. (See on [1577]Mt 9:14-17.) The incongruities mentioned in Lu 5:36-38 were intended to illustrate the difference between the genius of the old and new economies, and the danger of mixing up the one with the other. As in the one case supposed, "the rent is made worse," and in the other, "the new wine is spilled," so by a mongrel mixture of the ascetic ritualism of the old with the spiritual freedom of the new economy, both are disfigured and destroyed. The additional parable in Lu 5:39, which is peculiar to Luke, has been variously interpreted.
Key words
- disciples
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The Scribes and Pharisees, or the disciples of John; see Matthew 9:14 why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers? set times apart frequently for fasting and prayer.
- often
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The Scribes and Pharisees, or the disciples of John; see Matthew 9:14 why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers? set times apart frequently for fasting and prayer.
- prayers
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The Scribes and Pharisees, or the disciples of John; see Matthew 9:14 why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers? set times apart frequently for fasting and prayer.
Context in Luke 5
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Luke 5 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as infancy narratives and preparation. Luke emphasizes salvation for the poor and the outsider, prayer, joy, women, table fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Read this chapter with the wider themes of salvation, Spirit, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Glossary
- John Person
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(1. ) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John ( Acts 4:6 ). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown. (2. ) The Hebrew name of Mark (q. v. ).