Luke 5:33

Context

The Superiority of the New

5:33 Then¹ they said to him, “John’s² disciples frequently fast³ and pray,⁴ and so do the disciples of the Pharisees,⁵ but yours continue to eat and drink.”⁶

[5:33] ¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[5:33] ²tc Most mss (א*^,2 A C D Θ Ψ Ë^1,13 Ï latt sy) read διὰ τί (dia ti, “Why do John’s…?”) here, turning the statement into a question. But such seems to be a motivated reading, assimilating the text to Mark 2:18 and Matt 9:14. The reading represented in the translation is supported by Ì⁴ א¹ B L W Ξ 33 892* 1241 sa.

[5:33] ³sn John’s disciples and the disciples of 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.

[5:33] ⁴tn Grk “and offer prayers,” but this idiom (δέησις + ποιέω) is often simply a circumlocution for praying.

[5:33] ⁵sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.

[5:33] ⁶tn Grk “but yours are eating and drinking.” The translation “continue to eat and drink” attempts to reflect the progressive or durative nature of the action described, which in context is a practice not limited to the specific occasion at hand (the banquet).