In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus redefines the purpose and timing of fasting, explaining why His disciples didn’t fast while He was with them. Using the imagery of a wedding feast, new cloth, and wineskins, He teaches that His presence marked a time of celebration, not mourning. Fasting, He says, will be appropriate once He’s “taken away”—a reference to His death and ascension—shifting fasting from a legalistic ritual to a personal, relational longing for Him.
This passage isn’t just about fasting—it’s about how Jesus brings a completely new way of life that doesn’t fit into old religious systems. His words challenge us to think about why we fast, how we do it, and what it reveals about our hunger for God. If you’re ready to explore what Jesus really meant and how it applies to your spiritual life today, keep reading for a deeper dive.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline found throughout the Bible, but Jesus’ words about it in Matthew 9:14-17 often raise questions. Did He dismiss fasting altogether? Why did He say His disciples didn’t need to fast? And what do His metaphors about cloth and wineskins mean?
Let’s break this down clearly and thoroughly so you understand exactly what Jesus meant—and how it applies to you today.
1. The Context: Who’s Asking and Why?
In Matthew 9:14, we read:
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’” (NIV)
So here’s the scene: Jesus is gaining attention. He’s healing, teaching, and even eating with sinners and tax collectors (see Matthew 9:10). That didn’t sit well with religious folks. John the Baptist’s disciples come with a genuine question, probably confused.
- The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12).
- John’s disciples likely fasted often too, as part of a life of repentance.
They’re basically asking, “Why aren’t your disciples following these spiritual practices like we are?”
2. Jesus’ Surprising Answer: A Wedding Celebration
Here’s Jesus’ response:
“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.” (Matthew 9:15)
Let’s unpack that.
- Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom.
- His disciples are the guests, or “friends of the bridegroom.”
- And while He’s with them, it’s a time of celebration, not mourning.
This is powerful. In Jewish culture, weddings were huge celebrations that could last a week or more. During that time, fasting was forbidden. Joy was the appropriate response. Jesus is saying, “You don’t fast at a wedding. And right now, I’m here—this is the wedding!”
Key insight: Fasting is tied to longing, mourning, or repentance. But when Jesus was physically present, His disciples had no reason to fast. They had the very presence of God with them.
3. “Then They Will Fast”
Jesus doesn’t throw fasting out completely. He says:
“The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
This is a clear prediction of His death. Once Jesus is crucified and ascended, His followers would fast again—not out of legalism, but out of longing for His return and presence.
So, fasting isn’t obsolete. It just shifts meaning:
- In the Old Testament, fasting was often about repentance and mourning.
- In the New Testament, fasting becomes about longing for Jesus, seeking closeness, and preparing our hearts.
4. The Two Metaphors: Cloth and Wineskins
Jesus doesn’t stop there. He adds two metaphors to drive His point home:
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment…”
“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins…” (Matthew 9:16-17)
Let’s explain these simply.
a. Unshrunk Cloth on Old Garment
- An old garment has already shrunk.
- If you patch it with new, unshrunk cloth, once it shrinks, it’ll tear away worse than before.
Meaning: You can’t just patch Jesus’ new way of life onto old religious systems. His teaching is not a repair—it’s a replacement.
b. New Wine in Old Wineskins
- New wine ferments and expands.
- Old wineskins are brittle and already stretched. If you pour new wine into them, they’ll burst.
Meaning: Jesus is bringing something new and alive. It can’t be contained in rigid, old systems of religion.
5. What Jesus Is Really Teaching About Fasting
Let’s boil it down clearly. Jesus is saying:
- Fasting is good, but not for show or out of habit.
- The timing of fasting matters. His disciples didn’t fast while He was with them because it was a time of celebration.
- Fasting makes sense after His departure—not as ritual, but as relationship-driven hunger for God.
- The old religious system can’t contain the new covenant. Jesus isn’t just tweaking religion—He’s transforming it.
6. Application for You Today
So what does this mean for your life? Should you fast? How? When?
When Should You Fast?
Fasting makes sense when:
- You’re seeking deeper intimacy with God.
- You’re praying for clarity or breakthrough.
- You’re repenting or realigning your heart.
- You’re longing for Christ’s presence and return.
How Should You Fast?
- Not to impress God or people. Jesus warns against showy fasting in Matthew 6:16-18.
- Privately, intentionally, humbly.
- It doesn’t always mean no food—sometimes it’s skipping a meal, fasting from distractions (like social media), or dedicating a specific time for prayer.
What Happens When You Fast?
- You grow spiritually.
- You become more aware of God’s presence.
- Your prayers gain focus and power.
- You train yourself to depend on God, not just food or routine.
7. Key Takeaways
To summarize everything clearly:
- Jesus didn’t reject fasting. He reframed it.
- His disciples didn’t fast because they had Him. You fast when you’re longing for more of Him.
- Jesus brought a new way—a living, personal relationship with God that’s incompatible with empty ritual.
- Fasting is about hunger for God, not about earning His favor.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 9:14-17 isn’t just a lesson on fasting. It’s a lesson on how Jesus changes everything. He shifts us from ritual to relationship, from law to grace, from the old to the new.
If you’re thinking about fasting, don’t approach it like a religious checkbox. Do it because you want to draw near to Jesus. That’s the kind of fasting He honors.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
So ask yourself—what are you hungry for?
“Understanding Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting in Matthew 9:14-17”
1. What is the main point of Jesus’ teaching on fasting in Matthew 9:14-17?
In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus teaches that fasting isn’t just a religious routine—it depends on relationship and timing. While He was physically present with His disciples, it was a time for joy, not fasting. But after His departure, fasting would become a meaningful expression of longing for His presence.
2. Why weren’t Jesus’ disciples fasting like others?
Jesus explained that His disciples weren’t fasting because He, the “bridegroom,” was with them. Like guests at a wedding, they were in a season of celebration, not mourning or longing. Fasting would resume after He was taken from them.
3. Does Jesus reject fasting in this passage?
No, He doesn’t reject fasting. He redefines it. Jesus teaches that fasting isn’t about following rules—it’s about a heart posture of seeking God, especially after His physical departure.
4. What do the metaphors of cloth and wineskins mean?
The unshrunk cloth and old wineskins represent the incompatibility of Jesus’ new covenant with old religious systems. He’s not just patching up old traditions—He’s bringing a completely new way of life that can’t be contained by outdated structures.
5. Is fasting still relevant for Christians today?
Absolutely. Jesus says, “Then they will fast,” referring to the time after His departure. Christians today fast to seek God, align their hearts, and express their longing for Jesus’ return—not as a religious obligation.
6. How is biblical fasting different from religious ritual?
Biblical fasting focuses on spiritual hunger, dependence on God, and drawing near to Him. Religious ritual, on the other hand, often becomes a performance or checklist. Jesus warns against showy fasting in Matthew 6:16-18.
7. What does it mean that Jesus is the bridegroom?
Jesus calling Himself the “bridegroom” is deeply symbolic. It ties into the Old Testament imagery of God as Israel’s husband. Here, Jesus claims that role—showing He’s God in the flesh and inviting people into joyful, covenant relationship.
8. When should Christians fast today?
You should fast when you’re seeking clarity, repenting, preparing for something spiritually significant, or simply longing for deeper intimacy with Jesus. It’s not about a calendar—it’s about the condition of your heart.
9. Can fasting take different forms besides food?
Yes. While fasting traditionally means going without food, it can also mean setting aside time, distractions (like social media), or comforts to focus more intentionally on prayer, Scripture, and worship.
10. What’s the core message of Matthew 9:14-17 for modern believers?
The core message is this: Jesus didn’t come to fit into old religious molds. He came to bring new life and relationship. Fasting is part of that life—not a rule, but a response to His absence and a deep desire for His presence.
