2:18 Now 1 John’s 2 disciples and the Pharisees 3 were fasting. 4 So 5 they came to Jesus 6 and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”
1 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
2 sn John refers to John the Baptist.
3 sn See the note on Pharisees in 2:16.
4 sn John’s disciples and the Pharisees followed typical practices with regard to fasting and prayer. Many Jews fasted regularly (Lev 16:29-34; 23:26-32; Num 29:7-11). The zealous fasted twice a week on Monday and Thursday.
5 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “So” to indicate that in the narrative this question happened as a result of the fasting of John’s disciples and the Pharisees.
6 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
8 tn Grk “they”; the referent (Jesus’ disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.