Luke 5:33-39
The presence of the bridegroom brings new joy that old forms cannot contain.
33 They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”
34 He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”
36 He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.
37 No one puts new wine into old wine skins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.
39 No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”
The presence of the bridegroom brings new joy that old forms cannot contain.
Luke records the fasting controversy to reveal that Jesus’ presence as the bridegroom creates a new redemptive moment that cannot be governed by old expectations, while also preparing his disciples for future sorrow when the bridegroom is taken away.
This controversy follows fellowship with sinners. Opposition intensifies as Jesus redefines covenant expectations.
The question follows Levi’s banquet, where Jesus eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners. Critics contrast Jesus’ disciples with the disciples of John and the Pharisees, who fast and pray often. Jesus answers with the image of a wedding feast, then teaches with garment and wineskin illustrations.
The Authority of Jesus to Call, Cleanse, Forgive, and Make New
Jesus' kingdom authority calls sinners to follow Him, cleanses the unclean, forgives the guilty, restores the broken, welcomes the repentant, and brings new life centered on His presence.