The Pharisees ask why Jesus's students to not fast.
Luke 5:34 Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
Luke 5:34 Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?
You do not have the power. These sons of the wedding chamber? During this? The bridegroom is with them! To make them fast.
We cannot party and abstain at the same time.
Jesus is asked why his students don't fast like those of others. His answer starts by saying his opponents don't have the power but leaves them in suspense about what they lack. He then describes his followers and himself as members of a wedding. Weddings were the era's major celebrations of food and drink. Then comes the punchline: "to make them abstain," which can refer to alcohol as well as food.
(MW) Can(CW) ye make the children of the bridechamber fast(WF), while(WW) (MW) the bridegroom is with them?
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinite.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "fast" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to fast."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "while" should be something more like "during."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" is not shown in the English translation.
(MW) Can(CW) Can you make the friends(WW) of the bridegroom fast(WF), while(WW) (MW) he(WW) is with them?
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinite.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "friends" should be something more like "sons."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "bridegroom" should be something more like "wedding chamber."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "fast" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to fast."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "while" should be something more like "during."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "he" should be something more like "bridegroom."
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative "when" and "if" clauses.
Can -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
make -- The Greek word translated as "make" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "rendering" as service.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
children - The word translated as "children" specifically means "sons" and more generally means "child" or "children." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. The use of this word here seems to indicate that the men in a wedding party do not necessarily act as adults.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bridechamber - The term translated "bridechamber" means simply "wedding room" and can refer either to the place of the wedding or to the bridal chamber.
fast, - (WF) The term translated as "fast" specifically means a religious fast. The verb is the present tense. The verb is an infinitive, "to fast." In the Matthew version, the Greek is different, a word that means "to wail" or "to mourn"is used.
while -- (WW) The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "this" -- (MW) The untranslated word ."this" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bridegroom - The word translated as "the bridegroom" is a male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or "son-in-law."
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With an indirect object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
them? -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
as long as -- The adjective translated as "as long as" means "as great as," "as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative "when" and "if" clauses.
Can -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
make -- The Greek word translated as "make" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "rendering" as service.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
friends - (WW) The word translated as "friends" specifically means "sons" and more generally means "child" or "children." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. The use of this word here seems to indicate that the men in a wedding party do not necessarily act as adults. This is not the word for "friend."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bridegroom -- (WW) The term translated "bridegroom" means simply "wedding room" and can refer either to the place of the wedding or to the bridal chamber.
fast, - (WF) The term translated as "fast" specifically means a religious fast. The verb is the present tense. The verb is an infinitive, "to fast." In the Matthew version, the Greek is different, a word that means "to wail" or "to mourn"is used.
while -- (WW) The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "this" -- (MW) The untranslated word ."this" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
he - (WW) The word translated as "he" means "bridegroom," the male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or "son-in-law."
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With an indirect object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
them? -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
as long as -- The adjective translated as "as long as" means "as great as," "as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
Μὴ [447 verses](conj) Untranslated is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. With pres. or aor. subj. used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care" It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. -
δύνασθε [61 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind mp) "Can ye" is from the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities", "to be able," and "to be strong enough."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱοὶ [158 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Children" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." It is used generally to refer to any male descendant. -
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νυμφῶνος [4 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Bridechamber" is from nymphon, which can either be the room of the marriage bed or marriage ceremony. One form of this word means "bridegroom" and another "bride."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "While" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
ᾧ [294 verses](pron sg masc/neut dat) Untranslated is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νυμφίος [9 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Bridegroom" is nymphios, which means "bridal," "bridegroom" and "son-in-law."
μετ᾽ [103 verses](prep) "With" is meta, which means "with," "in the midst of," "among," "between," "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," "in one's dealings with," "into the middle of," "coming into," "in pursuit of," "after," "behind," "according to," "after," "behind," and "next afterward." With genitive, it means generally, "with," "together with," "in the midst of," "among," "between." "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," and "in conjunction with."
αὐτῶν [86 verses](pron/adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Them" is autos, is the genitive case of the third-person, plural adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With the dative, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.
ποιῆσαι [168 verses](verb aor inf act) "Make" is poieo, which means "to make", "to produce", "to create", "to bring into existence", "to bring about", "to cause", "to render", "to consider", "to prepare", "to make ready," and "to do."
νηστεῦσαι;[10 verses] (verb aor inf act) "Fast" is nesteuo, which means "fast" and "to abstain from."
This verse sounds like Matthew 9:15 and Mark 2:19,Mark 2:20) but it begins with a verb in the second person. The other two start with a third-person verb.
Jesus generally uses the metaphor of the wedding as a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven, but here the message here is about a party that ends.