Matthew 9:14

The Superiority of the New

9:14 Then John’s 1  disciples came to Jesus 2  and asked, “Why do we and the Pharisees 3  fast often, 4  but your disciples don’t fast?”

Matthew 17:15

17:15 and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures 5  and suffers terribly, for he often falls into the fire and into the water.

1 sn John refers to John the Baptist.

2 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

3 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

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 “he is moonstruck,” possibly meaning “lunatic” (so NAB, NASB), although now the term is generally regarded as referring to some sort of seizure disorder such as epilepsy (L&N 23.169; BDAG 919 s.v. σεληνιάζομαι).