MARK 2:18 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Now the followers of Yohan-the-immerser and members of the Pharisees regularly fasted. So a small group came to Yeshua and asked, “How come Yohan’s followers and the Pharisee party fast regularly, yet your followers don’t?”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting, and they come and say to him, “For what reason do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

UST One day, the Pharisees and the apprentices of John the Baptizer were abstaining from eating in order to please God. Meanwhile, some people visited Jesus. They asked him, “The apprentices of John the Baptizer and the apprentices of the Pharisees are abstaining from eating in order to please God. However, your apprentices do not do so. Why not?”

BSB Now John ’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So [people] came to [Jesus] and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast [like] John’s disciples and [those] of the Pharisees?”

MSB Now the disciples of John and of the Pharisees[fn] were often fasting. So [people] came to [Jesus] and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast [like] John’s disciples and [those] of the Pharisees?”

BLB And the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting. And they come and say to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"

AICNT And the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting. And they came and said to him, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

OEB Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and people came and asked Jesus, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, while yours do not?’

WEBBE John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

WMBB Yochanan’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do Yochanan’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

NET Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

LSV And the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees were fasting, and they come and say to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees fast, and Your disciples do not fast?”

FBV Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting.[fn] Some of them came to Jesus, and asked him, “Why is it that John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't?”

2:18 Fasting: choosing not to eat on certain days for religious reasons.

TCNT Now the disciples of John and [fn]the disciples of the Pharisees were fasting. So some people came and said to Jesus, “Why is it that the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yoʋr disciples do not fast?”

2:18 the disciples of 92% ¦ — CT 6.4%

T4T The disciples of John the Baptizer and some men who belonged to the Pharisee sect used to abstain from food to show that they wanted to please God. One day, some people came to Jesus and asked him critically, “The disciples of John and the Pharisees ◄fast/abstain from food► from time to time, but your disciples do not. We think they should abstain from food also. What do you say about that [RHQ]?”

LEB ¶ And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and said to him, “_⌊Why_⌋[fn] do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

2:18 Literally “for what” reason

BBE And John's disciples and the Pharisees were taking no food: and they came and said to him, Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees go without food, but your disciples do not?

Moff As the disciples of John and of the Pharisees were observing a fast, people came and asked him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, and your disciples do not fast?"

Wymth (Now John's disciples and those of the Pharisees were keeping a fast.) And they came and asked Him, "How is it that John's disciples and those of the Pharisees are fasting, and yours are not?"

ASV And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

DRA And the disiples of John and the Pharisees used to fast; and they come and say to him: Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast; but thy disciples do not fast?

YLT And the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees were fasting, and they come and say to him, 'Wherefore do the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees fast, and thy disciples do not fast?'

Drby And the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting; and they come and say to him, Why do the disciples of John and [the disciples] of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

RV And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
(And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy/your disciples fast not? )

SLT And the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say to him, Why do the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees fast, and the disciples to thee fast not?

Wbstr And the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees, used to fast: and they come, and say to him, Why do the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

KJB-1769 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
(And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy/your disciples fast not? )

KJB-1611 And the disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharisees vsed to fast; and they come, and say vnto him, Why doe the disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And the disciples of Iohn, & the Pharisees dyd fast. And they come, and say vnto him: Why do ye disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
(And the disciples of Yohn, and the Pharisees did fast. And they come, and say unto him: Why do ye/you_all disciples of Yohn, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy/your disciples fast not?)

Gnva And the disciples of Iohn, and the Pharises did fast, and came and saide vnto him, Why doe the disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharises fast, and thy disciples fast not?
(And the disciples of Yohn, and the Pharisees did fast, and came and said unto him, Why do the disciples of Yohn, and of the Pharisees fast, and thy/your disciples fast not? )

Cvdl And the disciples of Ihon and of ye Pharises fasted. And there came certaine, which sayde vnto him: Why fast the disciples of Ihon, and of ye Pharises, and thy disciples fast not?
(And the disciples of Yohn and of ye/you_all Pharisees fasted. And there came certain, which said unto him: Why fast the disciples of Yohn, and of ye/you_all Pharisees, and thy/your disciples fast not?)

TNT And the disciples of Iohn and the Pharises dyd faste: and therfore came and sayde vnto him. Why do the disciples of Iohn and of the Pharises faste and thy disciples fast not.
(And the disciples of Yohn and the Pharisees did faste: and therefore came and said unto him. Why do the disciples of Yohn and of the Pharisees fast and thy/your disciples fast not. )

Wycl And the disciplis of Joon and the Farisees weren fastynge; and thei camen, and seien to hym, Whi fasten the disciplis of Joon, and the Farisees fasten, but thi disciplis fasten not?
(And the disciples of Yohn and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came, and said to him, Why fasten the disciples of Yohn, and the Pharisees fasten, but thy/your disciples fasten not?)

Luth Und die Jünger des Johannes und der Pharisäer fasteten viel; und es kamen etliche, die sprachen zu ihm: Warum fasten die Jünger des Johannes und der Pharisäer, und deine Jünger fasten nicht?
(And the disciple the Yohannes and the/of_the Pharisees fasting many; and it came several, the said to/for him: Why fasten the disciple the Yohannes and the/of_the Pharisees, and your disciple fasten not?)

ClVg Et erant discipuli Joannis et pharisæi jejunantes: et veniunt, et dicunt illi: Quare discipuli Joannis et pharisæorum jejunant, tui autem discipuli non jejunant?[fn]
(And they_were students Yoannis and Pharisees yeyunantes: and they_come, and they_say them: Why students Yoannis and pharisæorum yeyunant, yours(sg) however students not/no yeyunant? )

2.18 Et erant discipuli. ID. Alii evangelistæ dicunt pharisæos et discipulos Joannis hoc quæsivisse. Hic videtur dicere, quod alii quæsierunt quos ejusdem rei cura movisset. Unde colligitur hoc a pluribus fuisse objectum, a pharisæis, a discipulis Joannis, a convivis, vel quibuslibet aliis. ID. Discipuli Joannis et Pharisæorum jejunant, quia qui operibus legis gloriantur, vel (quod pejus est) traditiones sequuntur, etc., usque ad manducavit cum peccatoribus, ut gratiam cernens potestatem agnosceres.

2.18 And they_were students. ID. Others evangelists they_say pharisæos and disciples Yoannis this I_askedsse. Here/This it_seems to_say, that others whichsierunt which of_the_same of_the_thing care movisset. From_where/who is_collected this from many to_have_been objectum, from Phariseess, from students Yoannis, from convivis, or to_whomlibet to_others. ID. Discipuli Yoannis and of_the_Pharisees yeyunant, because who/which works law they_boast, or (that worse it_is) traditions they_follow, etc., until to manducavit when/with sinners, as grace cernens power acknowledgeres.

UGNT καὶ ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι νηστεύοντες. καὶ ἔρχονται καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ μαθηταὶ οὐ νηστεύουσιν?
(kai aʸsan hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi Farisaioi naʸsteuontes. kai erⱪontai kai legousin autōi, dia ti hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi mathaʸtai tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuousin, hoi de soi mathaʸtai ou naʸsteuousin?)

SBL-GNT Καὶ ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ ⸀Φαρισαῖοι νηστεύοντες. καὶ ἔρχονται καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ ⸀μαθηταὶ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ μαθηταὶ οὐ νηστεύουσιν;
(Kai aʸsan hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi ⸀Farisaioi naʸsteuontes. kai erⱪontai kai legousin autōi; Dia ti hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi ⸀mathaʸtai tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuousin, hoi de soi mathaʸtai ou naʸsteuousin;)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύοντες· καὶ ἔρχονται καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ μαθηταὶ οὐ νηστεύουσιν;
(Kai aʸsan hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuontes; kai erⱪontai kai legousin autōi, Dia ti hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuousin, hoi de soi mathaʸtai ou naʸsteuousin;)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ [fn]Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ [fn]τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύοντες· καὶ ἔρχονται καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταὶ [fn]Ἰωάννου καὶ [fn]οἱ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ μαθηταὶ οὐ νηστεύουσι;
(Kai aʸsan hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuontes; kai erⱪontai kai legousin autōi, Dia ti hoi mathaʸtai Yōannou kai hoi tōn Farisaiōn naʸsteuousin, hoi de soi mathaʸtai ou naʸsteuousi; )

2:18 ιωαννου ¦ ιωανου WH

2:18 των φαρισαιων 92% ¦ φαρισαιοι CT 6.4%

2:18 οι ¦ οι μαθηται CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:18–22: People asked Jesus about fasting

At the time when Jesus lived, Jewish people often went without eating food for one or more days. They did this to show they were sorry for their sins or to ask for favor from God. This is called “fasting.”

In this section people asked Jesus why he and his disciples did not fast. Jesus answered the question about fasting. Then he indicated that he was teaching a new way to live for God. His new way would not fit into the old traditions. To illustrate this point, Jesus used three comparisons:

To explain why his disciples did not fast, Jesus compared himself to a bridegroom, and he compared his disciples to wedding guests. They could not fast while he was with them.
To show that his way and the old traditions did not match, Jesus compared his new way to new cloth. The old traditional ways were like an old garment. No one would sew new cloth onto an old garment.
Then Jesus compared his new way to new wine and the old way to old wineskins. When new wine was put into old wineskins, both were ruined.

This section can be difficult for people to understand because Jesus used comparisons to illustrate a point, but he did not make the point explicit. The point was that he was teaching a new way that was different from the old Jewish traditions. In some languages it may be necessary to include a footnote to explain this.

In this section there are some ideas that may not be familiar in certain cultures. For example:

fasting
Jewish wedding customs about bridegrooms
sewing patches onto cloth
new wine and old wineskins

Consider carefully how to translate each of these ideas in a meaningful way in your language. The Notes for this section will give suggestions.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus taught that his new way was different from Jewish traditions

Jesus’ new way and the old ways

This story also occurs in Matthew 9:14–17 and Luke 5:33–39.

Paragraph 2:18–20

In this paragraph it is important for readers to know what “fasting” meant in the Jewish culture. In this context, “fasting” means to abstain from food for religious reasons. The Jewish people often fasted at times when they were very serious about praying to God. See 1 Samuel 7:5, Matthew 6:16–18, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2. Often Jewish people would fast for some time to prepare for God to speak to them (see Exodus 24, Daniel 9:3, Matthew 4:2).

John the Baptizer’s disciples and the Pharisees followed these Jewish customs.

2:18a

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting.

¶ The disciples of John the one who baptizes people and the Pharisees were fasting.
¶ At a certain time John the Baptizer’s followers and the Pharisees were deliberately abstaining from eating food,

This part of the verse is background information. It introduces a situation in which Jesus gave a new teaching. Translate this background information in a natural way in your language.

Now: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as Now here introduces background information. It is not a time word in this context.

John’s disciples: John had disciples, just as Jesus did. These disciples followed him, learned from him, and tried to obey his teachings. You should use the same word for “disciple” here as you use for Jesus’ disciples. See the note on 2:15b.

John: The name John refers here to John the Baptizer (John who baptized people). See the note on 1:4a. Since more than one John is mentioned in Mark, it may be necessary to make this explicit:

the disciples of John the Baptizer

the disciples of John, the one who baptized people

and the Pharisees: There is a textual issue in 2:18a. (1) Some Greek manuscripts have “the disciples of John and the Pharisees.” For example, the NET says: “John’s disciples and the Pharisees” (BSB, NIV, GNT, RSV, NJB, NET, ESV, NASB, REB, GW, NLT, CEV, NCV). (2) Some Greek manuscripts have “the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees.” For example, the JBP says: “The disciples of John and those of the Pharisees” (KJV, JBP). Option (1) has better support from Greek manuscripts. However, the phrase “disciples of the Pharisees” occurs in 2:18c. So in some languages, it may be more natural to follow option (2) and use that phrase here as well. The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group or party. They believed that it was very important to obey all of the Jewish religious laws very carefully and in detail. See the note on 2:16a.

fasting: In this context the Greek word that the BSB translates as fasting means “deliberately abstain from eating for some time.” If fasting for religious reasons is not a familiar idea in your language, you may need to explain it in a footnote or in your translation. For example:

often gave up eating for a certain time (NCV)

going without food to pray/meditate

not eating food for a certain length of time to show that they were devoted to God

2:18b

So people came to Jesus and asked,

Some people came to Jesus and asked him,
and/so some people came and said to Jesus,
Some people approached Jesus and asked him

So: In Greek, 2:18b begins with a common conjunction that the BSB translates as So. Mark used this conjunction to connect what the people saw in 2:18a with what they asked Jesus in 2:18b. Connect these two events in a natural way in your language.

people: The Greek word that the BSB translates as people is literally “they.” In some languages you may need to identify more explicitly who “they” refers to. If that is true in your language, it is probably best to use a general subject, as the BSB does.

came to Jesus and asked: The people who observed the disciples of John the Baptizer and the Pharisees fasting came to Jesus to ask him a question. The NLT96 has another way to say this:

One day some people came to Jesus and asked

came: In some languages it is more natural to use a verb like “went” here instead of came.Some languages prefer to express verbs of motion from the viewpoint of the source rather than the destination. For example:

On one occasion some people went to Jesus…

asked: The Greek word that the BSB translates as asked is a general verb of speech that is often translated as “said.” Because the people asked a question, the BSB uses the English word “asked.” Use the verb of speech that is most natural in your language.

Jesus: The Greek text refers to Jesus here with a pronoun (“him” in English). Refer to him in a natural way in your language for this context.

2:18c–d

Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?: The question in 2:18c–d is actually both a statement and a question. The people told Jesus that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees were fasting. They also asked him why his disciples were not fasting. In some languages it may be more natural to use two sentences to express these ideas. For example:

John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast often. Why do your disciples not fast?

Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?: Scholars do not agree about the function of the question in this verse. There are two views:

It is a rhetorical question. It functions as an indirect rebuke. The people were critical of Jesus because he did not make his disciples follow the traditional religious practices of the Jews.
It is a real question. The people observed the disciples of Jesus not fasting, and they wondered why they did not fast.

In English (and in Greek) the same words would be used here for a real question or a rhetorical question, so the versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In Luke 5:33, where this same story occurs, it is clearer that the people who spoke were criticizing Jesus.

There are at least three ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a question. For example, the RSV says:
Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?
As a statement. For example:
John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast. Your disciples should also fast.
As a statement with a tag question. For example:
John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast. Your disciples should fast, too, shouldn’t they?

Use whichever form is most natural in your language to indicate that the people who spoke to Jesus were indirectly criticizing Jesus.

2:18c

“Why don’t Your disciples fast

“Why do your disciples not fast regularly,
“Why do your disciples not go without eating because of your religion.
“Why do your disciples eat every day

fast: There are two ways to interpret the verb fast in this part of the verse:

It refers to a general practice of fasting. For example, the NCV says:
Why do John’s followers and the followers of the Pharisees often give up eating, but your followers don’t? (BSB, GNT, CEV, NCV, RSV, NLT, NET, NASB, GW, KJV, NJB)
It refers to a specific time when the disciples were fasting and people observed them. For example, the REB says:
Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not? (NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Use a general expression that refers to the practice of fasting.

2:18d

like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?”

like the disciples of John the Baptizer and of the Pharisees fast regularly?”
like the disciples/followers of John the Baptizer and the disciples/followers of the Pharisees often go without eating because of their religion”
but the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees habitually fast.”

those of the Pharisees: In this context the phrase those of the Pharisees refers to people who followed/obeyed the teachings of the Pharisees.

There are at least two options for translating the term in this context:

Use the same term for disciples as you used for the disciples of Jesus and of John. See the note on disciples at 2:15b. See also disciple in the Glossary. This is probably best unless your term for “disciple” would not be possible to use with a group like the Pharisees.
Use a different expression or term for disciples of the Pharisees than you used for disciples of Jesus. For example:
people who obeyed the Pharisee-group teachings

If you use the first option, you may want to include a footnote to explain how the word disciples is used in this context.

General Comment on 2:18c–d

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 2:18c and 2:18d. For example:

^18dThe disciples of John and the Pharisees fast. ^18cShouldn’t your disciples fast as well?

^18dHow is it that Johnʼs disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, ^18cbut yours are not? (NIV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

καὶ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταί Ἰωάννου καί οἱ Φαρισαῖοι νηστεύοντες Καί ἔρχονται καί λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Διά τί οἱ μαθηταί Ἰωάννου καί οἱ μαθηταί τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν οἱ δέ σοί μαθηταί οὒ νηστεύουσιν)

Here, the word And introduces the next major event in the story. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next event, or you could leave And untranslated. Alternate translation: [Later,]

Note 2 topic: writing-background

ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι νηστεύοντες & καὶ

were the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταί Ἰωάννου καί οἱ Φαρισαῖοι νηστεύοντες Καί ἔρχονται καί λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Διά τί οἱ μαθηταί Ἰωάννου καί οἱ μαθηταί τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν οἱ δέ σοί μαθηταί οὒ νηστεύουσιν)

Here Mark introduces background information that will help readers understand what happens next. Use a natural form in your language for introducing background information. Alternate translation: [it happened that the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting. And]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

ἔρχονται

˱they˲_˓are˒_coming

The pronoun they refers to some people who asked Jesus this question. If this is not clear for your readers, you could use a form that refers to people without identifying who they are. Alternate translation: [certain people come]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ τῶν Φαρισαίων νηστεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ μαθηταὶ οὐ νηστεύουσιν

If it would be helpful in your language, you could turn this sentence into two sentences, one giving the reason for the question, and the other asking the question. Alternate translation: [The disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast. For what reason do your disciples not fast?]

Parallel MARK 2:18