In this metaphor, Jesus likens Himself to a bridegroom, a figure of joy and celebration. The presence of the bridegroom signifies a time of festivity, much like a wedding feast. Jesus' time on earth with His disciples was marked by teaching, healing, and the joy of His presence. However, He also foreshadows a future event when He, the bridegroom, will be taken away from them. This refers to His impending crucifixion and eventual ascension into heaven.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, His disciples did not fast because they were in the presence of the Messiah, experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises. But He acknowledges that a time will come when His followers will fast, a practice often associated with mourning, repentance, and spiritual discipline. This fasting symbolizes a period of longing and anticipation for His return. The verse underscores the deep bond between Jesus and His disciples, and the natural human response of fasting in times of spiritual absence and yearning for divine presence.
