Mark 2 20

Mark 2:20 kjv

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Mark 2:20 nkjv

But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

Mark 2:20 niv

But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

Mark 2:20 esv

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

Mark 2:20 nlt

But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 20 Meaning

Mark 2:20 declares that a future time of sorrow and fasting awaits Jesus' disciples, signaling the period when the "bridegroom" – Jesus Himself – would be "taken away" from them. This implies a significant separation, referring prophetically to His crucifixion and subsequent ascension. The verse explains why His disciples did not fast during His earthly ministry, presenting His presence as a joyous wedding feast, and points to the spiritual discipline of fasting that would appropriately follow His departure. It underscores a shift from immediate joyful communion to a future longing and solemn dedication.

Mark 2 20 Context

Mark 2:20 is embedded within a broader discussion about Jesus' authority and the new nature of the Kingdom He ushers in, specifically concerning the practice of fasting. Verses 18-22 address a question posed by John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees: "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yours do not fast?" Jesus' reply challenges the rigid religious customs of His day, emphasizing that His presence introduces a radically different reality. He likens Himself to a "bridegroom" and His disciples to "wedding guests" (children of the bridal chamber). During a wedding feast, it is inappropriate to fast; it is a time of unbridled joy. Thus, Mark 2:20 serves as a prophetic utterance explaining why their present lack of fasting is suitable, while also forecasting a future time of profound loss and subsequent fasting that would become fitting after His "taking away." This verse sets the stage for the New Covenant era where fasting is not a mere ritual but a heartfelt response to the perceived absence of the Lord, driven by longing and devotion.

Mark 2 20 Word analysis

• The days will come (Hēxousin hēmerai - Ἥξουσιν ἡμέραι): This phrase denotes a prophetic declaration of certainty, indicating a definite future event. It underscores God's sovereignty over time and destiny. It’s not a hypothetical scenario but an assured outcome in divine timing.

• when the bridegroom (hotan aparthē ho nymphios - ὅταν ἀπαρθῇ ὁ νυμφίος):

  • Bridegroom (nymphios - νυμφίος): This is a significant self-designation by Jesus. In Jewish tradition, the bridegroom figure is central to joyful celebration and symbolizes new beginnings, a covenant relationship, and intimate union. In the Old Testament, God is often depicted as the husband/bridegroom of Israel (e.g., Is 54:5, Jer 2:2, Ez 16). Jesus here implicitly identifies Himself with God in this divine, intimate, covenantal role, affirming His divine identity. The metaphor highlights the unique joy and relational nature of His present ministry.
  • Is taken away (aparthē - ἀπαρθῇ): This Greek verb is in the aorist passive subjunctive. The passive voice ("is taken away") suggests that this action is done to the bridegroom by an external force, not of His own choosing in the direct sense of leaving, though ultimately part of His divine will and mission. It is a euphemism for His violent removal – specifically His arrest, crucifixion, and death. It hints at the separation and suffering to come, preparing the disciples for this stark reality.

• from them (ap' autōn - ἀπ' αὐτῶν): Refers to Jesus' disciples, His inner circle and by extension, all who follow Him. It emphasizes the personal loss they would experience.

• and then (kai tote - καὶ τότε): This phrase signifies a consequential shift in time and state. The transition from joyful presence to the necessity of fasting is directly linked to the departure of the bridegroom.

• they will fast (nēsteusousin - νηστεύσουσιν): The future tense indicates an obligatory practice in the period following His departure. Fasting here is not merely an external religious exercise but an internal, spiritual response to a profound sense of loss, longing for His return, and intensified seeking of God in a time of tribulation or perceived absence.

• in that day (en ekeinē tē hēmera - ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ): Points to the period of the bridegroom's absence, from the cross until His glorious return. It encompasses the time of the Church's earthly pilgrimage, marked by both the Holy Spirit's presence and the longing for Christ's second advent. This 'day' is not just one literal day, but a designated spiritual period of time.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them": This phrase introduces a pivotal prophetic statement. It sets a chronological boundary, explaining the 'now' (joy, no fasting) versus the 'then' (sorrow, fasting). It reveals Jesus' awareness of His own destiny— His removal leading to profound change for His followers. It anticipates the suffering of the Cross and His Ascension, marking a shift from physical companionship to a new spiritual relationship and discipleship. This is a divine appointment, not a human failure.
  • "and then they will fast in that day": This clarifies the appropriate spiritual response to the bridegroom's absence. Fasting becomes a natural expression of yearning, a seeking of God's presence, an act of repentance, and a commitment to spiritual warfare. It emphasizes a transformation of the practice of fasting, moving it from a rigid legalistic ritual (as practiced by Pharisees) to a spiritual discipline born of a transformed heart and circumstances.

Mark 2 20 Bonus section

The metaphor of the bridegroom highlights the personal and intimate nature of the relationship between Jesus and His followers. His presence brings joy; His absence brings sorrow and longing. This relational aspect transcends mere adherence to religious laws. The prophecy in this verse subtly implies Jesus' Messiahship, as the concept of the divine Bridegroom (God with Israel) is fulfilled in Him. The disciples’ future fasting is a testament to the fact that though the Spirit is present (John 14:16-18), the bodily, glorified return of Christ remains the ultimate hope, and thus a deep longing exists for the culmination of the "wedding feast" at the Eschaton (Rev 19:7-9). This verse also acts as a prophetic anchor, validating the post-Pentecost fasting practices of the early Church as fulfilling Jesus' own words, demonstrating consistency across the new covenant period.

Mark 2 20 Commentary

Mark 2:20 offers profound theological insights by contrasting the joyous reality of Jesus' immediate physical presence with the subsequent era of His perceived absence and the appropriate spiritual response to it. Jesus, the divine bridegroom, is a figure of joyous celebration and new covenant intimacy. His active ministry inaugurated a period akin to a wedding feast, making ritualistic fasting inappropriate due to the overwhelming joy and fulfillment brought by His immediate presence. However, He prophesies a future separation, symbolized by His violent "taking away," which primarily points to His crucifixion and ascension. This "taking away" marks the beginning of the "day" when His disciples will fast. This future fasting is not merely a custom but a spiritual discipline born from longing for their absent Lord, grieving His suffering, and a deepening dependence on God. It foreshadows the time of the Church, where believers live between Christ's first and second coming, called to engage in prayer and fasting as expressions of devoted expectation, repentance, and earnest seeking of God's face amidst the challenges of this age. This redefines fasting from an obligation to a profound expression of devotion, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' person and mission on religious practice.

Examples:

• Early believers fasting for divine guidance before sending out missionaries (Acts 13:2-3).
• Believers today fasting to intensify prayer for specific needs, seeking a deeper intimacy with God, or expressing sorrow for sin.
• Times of spiritual revival often accompanied by renewed emphasis on communal fasting.