CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 2:20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/41_Mrk_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 2:20 - Questions about Fasting" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/mark/2-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/mark/2-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/mark/">Mark</a> > <a href="/mark/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/2-19.htm" title="Mark 2:19">◄</a> Mark 2:20 <a href="/mark/2-21.htm" title="Mark 2:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/mark/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/mark/2.htm">New International Version</a> But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. <a href="/nlt/mark/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. <a href="/esv/mark/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <a href="/bsb/mark/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. <a href="/blb/mark/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. <a href="/kjv/mark/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. <a href="/nkjv/mark/2.htm">New King James Version</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. <a href="/nasb_/mark/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast, on that day. <a href="/nasb/mark/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <a href="/nasb77/mark/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <a href="/lsb/mark/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <a href="/amp/mark/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom is [forcefully] taken away from them, and they will fast at that time. <a href="/csb/mark/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. <a href="/hcsb/mark/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But the time will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <a href="/asv/mark/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. <a href="/cev/mark/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But the time will come when he will be taken from them. Then they will go without eating. <a href="/erv/mark/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. <a href="/gwt/mark/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast. <a href="/gnt/mark/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. <a href="/isv/mark/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day." <a href="/msb/mark/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. <a href="/net/mark/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and at that time they will fast. <a href="/nheb/mark/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. <a href="/wbt/mark/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast in those days. <a href="/wey/mark/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But a time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast. <a href="/web/mark/2.htm">World English Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/mark/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> but days will come when the bridegroom may be taken from them, and then they will fast—in those days. <a href="/blb/mark/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. <a href="/ylt/mark/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> but days shall come when the bridegroom may be taken from them, and then they shall fast -- in those days. <a href="/slt/mark/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the days shall come when the bridegroom should he taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/mark/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them; and then they shall fast in those days. <a href="/cpdv/mark/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the days will arrive when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they shall fast, in those days. <a href="/nabre/mark/2.htm">New American Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. <a href="/nrsvce/mark/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/mark/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then in that day they will fast. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But the days will come when the groom will be taken from them; then they will fast in those days.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/mark/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast in those days. <a href="/godbey/mark/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But the days will come, when the bridegroom must be taken from them, and then they will fast in that day.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/mark/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. <a href="/mace/mark/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast. <a href="/wey/mark/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But a time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast. <a href="/worrell/mark/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>but there will come days when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/mark/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them; and then shall they fast.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/mark/2-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=531" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/mark/2.htm">Questions about Fasting</a> …19Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. 20<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmerai (N-NFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">the time</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: eleusontai (V-FIM-3P) -- To come, go. ">will come</a> <a href="/greek/3752.htm" title="3752: hotan (Conj) -- When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.">when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3566.htm" title="3566: nymphios (N-NMS) -- A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.">bridegroom</a> <a href="/greek/522.htm" title="522: aparthē (V-ASP-3S) -- To take away, remove; pass: To be taken away, withdrawn. From apo and airo; to lift off, i.e. Remove.">will be taken</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.">then</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinē (DPro-DFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmera (N-DFS) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. "></a> <a href="/greek/3522.htm" title="3522: nēsteusousin (V-FIA-3P) -- To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food.">they will fast. </a> 21No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Matthew 9:15</a> Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. <a href="/luke/5-35.htm">Luke 5:35</a> But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” <a href="/john/16-20.htm">John 16:20</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. <a href="/john/16-22.htm">John 16:22</a> So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. <a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a> The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. <a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7</a> Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a> I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. <a href="/isaiah/62-5.htm">Isaiah 62:5</a> For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you. <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a> So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.” <a href="/jeremiah/7-34.htm">Jeremiah 7:34</a> I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.” <a href="/jeremiah/16-9.htm">Jeremiah 16:9</a> For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to remove from this place, before your very eyes and in your days, the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom. <a href="/jeremiah/25-10.htm">Jeremiah 25:10</a> Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. <a href="/jeremiah/33-11.htm">Jeremiah 33:11</a> the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD. <a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Joel 2:16</a> Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. <a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Zechariah 8:19</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.the bridegroom.<a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Psalm 45:11</a> So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.<a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Song of Solomon 3:11</a> Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.<a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a> For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.be taken.<a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Zechariah 13:7</a> Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.<a href="/matthew/26-31.htm">Matthew 26:31</a> Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.<a href="/john/7-33.htm">John 7:33,34</a> Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me… and.<a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2,3</a> As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them… <a href="/acts/14-23.htm">Acts 14:23</a> And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a> Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Bridegroom</a> <a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/25-6.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/5-34.htm">Bridegroom</a> <a href="/mark/4-37.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/mark/2-25.htm">Food</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/mark/2-26.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 2</div>1. <a href="/mark/2-1.htm">Jesus followed by multitudes,</a> 3. <a href="/mark/2-3.htm">heals a paralytic;</a> 13. <a href="/mark/2-13.htm">calls Matthew;</a> 15. <a href="/mark/2-15.htm">eats with tax collectors and sinners;</a> 18. <a href="/mark/2-18.htm">excuses his disciples for not fasting;</a> 23. <a href="/mark/2-23.htm">and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the time will come This phrase indicates a future event, suggesting a shift from the current situation. In the context of Jesus' ministry, it points to a time of change and fulfillment of His mission. The anticipation of future events is a common theme in biblical prophecy, where God's plan unfolds progressively.when the bridegroom The term "bridegroom" is a metaphor for Jesus, drawing on Jewish wedding customs where the bridegroom's presence is a time of joy and celebration. This imagery is consistent with Old Testament references to God as the bridegroom of Israel (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/62-5.htm">Isaiah 62:5</a>, <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a>) and is further developed in the New Testament with Christ as the bridegroom of the Church (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>, <a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-9</a>).will be taken from them; This phrase foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion and ascension, when He will no longer be physically present with His disciples. The passive construction "will be taken" suggests divine orchestration, aligning with the understanding that Jesus' death was part of God's redemptive plan (<a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a>).then they will fast. Fasting, a common Jewish practice, is associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. In this context, it signifies the disciples' response to Jesus' absence, reflecting a period of longing and anticipation for His return. This practice is seen in the early Church as they awaited Christ's second coming (<a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3, 14</a>:23).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus (the Bridegroom)</a> Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom, a metaphor that signifies His intimate relationship with His followers, akin to a marriage covenant. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples_of_jesus.htm">Disciples of Jesus</a> The followers of Jesus who are with Him during His earthly ministry. They are the ones who will experience the absence of the bridegroom. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_john's_disciples.htm">Pharisees and John's Disciples</a> These groups question Jesus about fasting, setting the stage for His teaching on the new covenant. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fasting.htm">Fasting</a> A spiritual discipline practiced by the Jews, often associated with mourning or seeking God's guidance. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_jesus'_departure.htm">The Event of Jesus' Departure</a> This refers to the time when Jesus will be taken away from His disciples, alluding to His crucifixion and ascension.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_bridegroom_metaphor.htm">Understanding the Bridegroom Metaphor</a> Jesus as the bridegroom highlights the personal and covenantal relationship He has with His followers. This metaphor invites believers to view their relationship with Christ as deeply personal and committed. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fasting.htm">The Role of Fasting</a> Fasting is appropriate in times of longing and seeking God's presence, especially when believers feel the absence of Christ in their lives. It is a tool for spiritual growth and dependence on God. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_now_and_not_yet.htm">Living in the Now and Not Yet</a> Believers live in the tension of experiencing Christ's presence through the Holy Spirit while longing for His physical return. This tension can be expressed through spiritual disciplines like fasting. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_christ's_return.htm">Preparation for Christ's Return</a> Just as the disciples were to fast in anticipation of the bridegroom's return, believers today are called to live in readiness for Christ's second coming. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> The early church's practice of fasting together (Acts 13) shows the importance of community in spiritual disciplines. Believers should support one another in their spiritual journeys.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 2</a> <a href="/q/which_psalms_are_in_hallel.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'prayer and fasting'?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus'_view_on_fasting_differ.htm">Mark 2:18-22 - Why does Jesus' stance on fasting differ so greatly from Jewish customs, and does this contradict Old Testament laws?</a> <a href="/q/is_a_75-pound_crown_plausible_in_battle.htm">1 Chronicles 20:2: Is it historically plausible for a crown weighing a talent of gold (around 75 pounds) to be worn or taken in battle?</a> <a href="/q/is_fasting_necessary_for_christians.htm">Is fasting necessary for Christians?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - This is the first occasion on which our Lord alludes to his removal from them. The bridegroom shall be taken away from them. The Greek word (ἀπαρθῇ) conveys the idea of a painful severance. And then will they fast in that day (ἐν ἐκείνῇ τῇ ἡμέρα). This is the true reading. After our Lord's death, his disciples frequently fasted as of necessity, and went through much privation and trial. And so it must be for the most part with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, until he returns to take to himself his kingdom, when there will be a glad and everlasting festival. <a href="/commentaries/mark/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the time ἡμέραι (hēmerai) Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. will come ἐλεύσονται (eleusontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. when ὅταν (hotan) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3752.htm">Strong's 3752: </a> When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. bridegroom νυμφίος (nymphios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3566.htm">Strong's 3566: </a> A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom. will be taken away ἀπαρθῇ (aparthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_522.htm">Strong's 522: </a> To take away, remove; pass: To be taken away, withdrawn. From apo and airo; to lift off, i.e. Remove. from ἀπ’ (ap’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. them; αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. then τότε (tote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5119.htm">Strong's 5119: </a> Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. they will fast. νηστεύσουσιν (nēsteusousin) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3522.htm">Strong's 3522: </a> To fast, abstain from food. From nestis; to abstain from food. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/mark/2-20.htm">Mark 2:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/mark/2-20.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 2:20 But the days will come when (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 2:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>