Gospel Note
The issue in this pericope is clearly fasting, but the real subject is novelty, as seen in the two attitudes reflected here: (1) that of Jesus himself, that his presence and ministry have created a new relationship that abrogates the need for Jewish ritual fasting; and (2) that of the early church, that Christ's absence necessitates fasting again, but for a new and different reason. The subsequent references to patches and cloth, wineskins and wine underscore th…