JESUS REPLIED, 'DO WEDDING GUESTS FAST WHILE CELEBRATING WITH THE GROOM. OF COURSE NOT. THEY CAN'T FAST WHILE THE GROOM IS WITH THEM.'
Context. Jesus has just been confronted by 'some people' about the fact that his disciples do not fast as John the Baptist's disciples do.
Setting: the time and the place are both uncertain - 'once' signifies an unspecified time 'when John's disciples were fasting' signifies no special event, date or place. 'Some people' approach Jesus. No one group or person is named. This renders a general or universal theme, but one rooted in worldy imagery. Much as God is referred to as being the Groom to Israel his bride (Isiah 62), Jesus emphasises his divine status - the actual embodiment of God as bridegroom.
Language: direct speech is used, reported by the narrator Mark. This gives the impression of the closeness of the narrator to Jesus and the actual events - that he was present when Jesus said these words. Rhetorical questions demand thought and reflection from the audience and put into question their suppositions. Jesus places Himself at the centre of this world, the teacher and guide. As with all humility He also recognises His importance at the same time. He gives an immediate answer to the question 'of course not' so He does not wait for the audience to reply this time and continues the analogy of the groom stating that they 'can't' i.e. it would be inappropriate and unacceptable to fast while the groom was still with them.
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