What does Jesus teach about fasting in Matthew 9:14-17?

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, verses 14-17, Jesus addresses the topic of fasting in a profound and illustrative manner. The passage reads as follows:

"Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.'" (Matthew 9:14-17, ESV)

This passage provides a multifaceted teaching on fasting, encapsulated in three key images: the bridegroom, the unshrunk cloth, and the new wine in old wineskins. To fully grasp Jesus' teaching, it is essential to unpack these images and understand their implications in the context of His ministry and the broader biblical narrative.

The Bridegroom and the Wedding Guests

When questioned by John's disciples about why His disciples do not fast, Jesus responds with the imagery of a wedding feast. He likens Himself to a bridegroom and His disciples to wedding guests. In Jewish culture, a wedding was a time of great joy and celebration, not of mourning or fasting. Jesus implies that His presence among His disciples is like a wedding celebration. As long as He, the bridegroom, is with them, it is inappropriate for them to fast because fasting is traditionally associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's intervention.

This imagery highlights the unique and transformative nature of Jesus' ministry. His presence signifies the arrival of the Kingdom of God, a time of fulfillment and joy. The Old Testament often uses wedding imagery to describe the relationship between God and His people (Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20). By identifying Himself as the bridegroom, Jesus is making a profound claim about His identity and mission. He is the long-awaited Messiah, bringing the joy and fulfillment of God's promises.

However, Jesus also acknowledges that there will come a time when the bridegroom is "taken away" from the wedding guests. This is a veiled reference to His impending crucifixion, death, and ascension. After His departure, the disciples will indeed fast, reflecting the traditional practices of mourning and seeking God's guidance during times of absence and longing.

The Unshrunk Cloth and the Old Garment

Jesus continues His teaching with the analogy of the unshrunk cloth and the old garment. He explains that no one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment because the new patch will shrink and tear away from the old cloth, making the tear worse. This image illustrates the incompatibility between the new and the old.

In the context of Jesus' ministry, the "old garment" represents the existing religious practices and structures, including the traditional practices of fasting observed by John's disciples and the Pharisees. The "unshrunk cloth" symbolizes the new reality that Jesus is inaugurating—the new covenant, characterized by grace, redemption, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is not merely adding a new practice or teaching to the existing religious framework; He is bringing about a fundamental transformation. The new covenant cannot be contained within the old structures and practices without causing a rupture. This teaching emphasizes the radical nature of Jesus' message and the need for a new understanding and approach to spiritual practices, including fasting.

The New Wine and the Old Wineskins

The final image Jesus uses is that of new wine and old wineskins. He explains that new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. If new wine is placed in old wineskins, the skins will burst, and both the wine and the skins will be ruined. Fresh wineskins, being more flexible, can expand with the fermenting wine.

Here, the new wine represents the new life and teachings that Jesus brings. The old wineskins symbolize the old religious systems and traditions. Just as new wine requires new wineskins, the new life in Christ requires new forms and expressions. The old structures cannot contain the dynamic and transformative power of the Gospel.

This analogy underscores the need for renewal and flexibility in embracing the new covenant. It challenges believers to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit and to allow their lives and practices to be transformed by the new reality that Jesus brings.

Synthesis and Application

In synthesizing these three images, Jesus' teaching on fasting in Matthew 9:14-17 reveals several key principles:

1. The Presence of Christ Transforms Spiritual Practices: The presence of Jesus, the bridegroom, transforms the nature and timing of spiritual practices like fasting. While fasting remains a valuable discipline, its context and purpose are redefined in light of Jesus' presence and mission.

2. Incompatibility of the Old and the New: The new covenant that Jesus inaugurates is fundamentally different from the old religious practices. It requires new forms and expressions that can accommodate the transformative power of the Gospel.

3. Flexibility and Renewal: Believers are called to be flexible and open to renewal, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and transform their spiritual practices. This openness ensures that the new life in Christ is not constrained by old structures and traditions.

In practical terms, this teaching invites Christians to approach fasting—and other spiritual disciplines—with a renewed understanding. Fasting is not merely a ritualistic practice but a means of drawing closer to God, seeking His guidance, and expressing dependence on Him. It is an expression of longing for the fullness of God's Kingdom and a recognition of the transformative power of Jesus' presence.

Moreover, this passage challenges believers to evaluate their spiritual practices and traditions. Are they flexible and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Do they reflect the new life and freedom that Jesus brings? Or are they constrained by old forms and structures that may no longer be relevant or effective?

In conclusion, Jesus' teaching on fasting in Matthew 9:14-17 is a profound and multi-layered instruction that calls for a deeper understanding of His presence and mission. It invites believers to embrace the new covenant with openness and flexibility, allowing their lives and practices to be transformed by the dynamic power of the Gospel. Through this teaching, Jesus redefines fasting and other spiritual disciplines, emphasizing their role in the context of His redemptive work and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit.