Comment: When the disciples of John the Baptist and those of the Pharisees sought to know from Christ why his disciples did not fast as they were doing, he made it clear to them that the children of the bridechamber could not be fasting while the bridegroom was with them. However, he explained, time will definitely come when the festivities will be over and then they shall fast. He also added, “no man seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment; else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.” (21, 22) The point is that there is time for everything. As at the time the question was posed to Christ, there was no need for his disciples fast, to mourn and be in sorrow as long as he was with them. But time came when he was betrayed and killed by wicked people and the apostles were thrown into sorrow. (Mark 16:9, 10) While fasting is not condemned in the Christian era, it is no longer mandatory. It is now purely voluntary – a private affair. (Matthew 6:16-18) People of God however do fast daily by way of denying themselves to do all righteousness. – Isaiah 58:3-8.