Mark 2:17-19

International Children’s Bible

¹⁷Jesus heard this and said to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor. It is the sick who need a doctor. I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners.”

Jesus’ Followers Are Criticized

¹⁸One day the followers of John^[a] and the Pharisees were giving up eating.^[b] Some people came to Jesus and said, “John’s followers and the followers of the Pharisees give up eating. But your followers don’t. Why?”

¹⁹Jesus answered, “When there is a wedding, the friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. They do not give up eating while the bridegroom is still there.

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Footnotes

2:18 John John the Baptist who preached to the Jews about Christ’s coming (Mark 1:4–8).
2:18 giving up eating This is called “fasting.” The people would give up eating for a special time of prayer and worship to God. It was also done to show sadness.