In the previous passage, Jesus demonstrated true discipleship by calling Matthew the sinner (tax collector) who responded with total trust by making a ‘no-turning-back’ commitment to Jesus. Here, Jesus is asked a question about fasting. It may well be that John’s disciples were fasting on a day that the followers of Jesus were feasting (cf. Mark 2:18). This is typical of religious people. They practice all sorts of rituals and ceremonies, but haven’t the least idea why they do it. But Jesus is clear that his coming marks a discontinuity with legalism.
在上一个段落中，耶稣告诉了我们何为真门徒——祂召了罪人马太（税吏），而马太完全信靠耶稣，做出了个义无反顾的决定委身于祂。在这里，有人问耶稣关于禁食的问题。这很可能是因为约翰的门徒正在禁食时，耶稣的门徒却在享乐（参：马2:18）。这就是典型的“宗教人士”。他们举行各样的仪式和典礼，却完全不知为什么要这样做。但耶稣的立场很清楚：祂来的原因就是要终止律法主义。
- The Question about Fasting 对于禁食的问题 (9:14)
The only required fasting in the OT is on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29–34). However, the Pharisees fast every Monday and Thursday, so they are surprised that Jesus’ followers do not practice the same thing.
在旧约里，犹太人唯有在每年的赎罪日需要禁食（利16:29-34）。然而，法利赛人却在每个星期一和四禁食。因此，当他们看见耶稣的门徒根本不禁食，都感到十分惊讶。
- The Question about Commitment 对于委身的问题 (9:15)
Jesus responds saying they should not mourn while He is with them. The first lesson we learn here is that fasting is linked with mourning. Secondly, their commitment is to Jesus rather than rituals. He said, “The guests of the bridegroom cannot mourn while he is with them.”
耶稣回答说，当门徒与祂同在时，他们不应悲伤。我们在这里能看到有关禁食的第一个功课：禁食是与悲伤有关的。第二：他们的委身是向着耶稣，不是仪式。耶稣说：“新郎与宾客在一起的时候，难道宾客能悲伤吗？”
- The Question about legalism 对于律法主义的问题 (9:16-17)
Jesus uses two illustrations which clearly require a break from the old legalism. Jesus is not here to reform the law but to show the new way of the Messiah.
耶稣举了两个事例，清楚说明我们需要完全脱离旧律法主义。耶稣不是要进行法律改革，而是要显示弥赛亚的新主义。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Many Christians are so accustomed to legalism. They feel they must do something in order to ‘feel’ God or be godly. But God looks at the inside rather than outside. The internal is more important than the external. He wants our desires, affections and love more than merely doing something religiously. So what do you do to draw near to God?
许多基督徒已习惯于律法主义。他们觉得自己必须做一些事情才能“感觉到”神，或表明自己的虔诚。可是，神看重的是内心而不是外表；内心比外表更重要。祂要的是我们的渴慕、情感和爱意，不仅仅是一些宗教仪式。所以，你该如何亲近神呢？
- Fasting is not commanded in the New Testament as a religious duty. Christians do not fast to get the attention of God. This is meritocracy. This is NOT grace. The reason Christians fast is because they are burdened and sad and they want to humble themselves before God and seek Him in prayer. They read scripture and pray so intensely that they forget about food. Would you fast, humble yourselves and seek God with all your hearts if you face difficulties in life?
新约里并没有要求基督徒要禁食。信徒禁食不是为要得到神的注意；若能如此，我们靠的是行为，不是恩典了。基督徒禁食是因为他们承担重负和悲伤，并谦卑自己来到神面前，在祷告里寻求祂。他们只在乎阅读圣经和祷告，以致忘食。在面对生命中的困难时，你是否会谦卑自己，一心地寻求神而禁食呢？
