Next we may consider the persons that make the objection, whereby we may see yet further ground of it. It was the Disciples of the Pharisees and John. These Pharisees were the chief Ring-leaders upon all occasions in any opposition against Christ; one while they object against him and his Disciples for not observing the Sabbath. Another while for not washing before they did eat, and sometimes for his too much familiarity with Publicans and sinners, &c. And here for not fasting. And now they engaged the Disciples of John with them that they might make their objection and opposition the more plausible, for John was in great reputation with the people. Wherein John's Disciples were justly to be blamed for joining with the Pharisees in an opposition to Christ, who were his inveterate adversaries. But John their Master being now in Prison, they were the more easily drawn in with them, for had he been with them he would not have suffered such a thing: (his great errand and business being to raise up the reputation of Christ among the people, to remove prejudices against him, to prepare the way for him, and to turn the hearts of the people to him.) A pregnant instance whereof we have John 3.26, 27, 28. where John's Disciples came with a story to their Master, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all come to him, but John answered, A man can receive nothing, except it be given from above, ye your selves bear me witness that I said I was not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom, &c. he must increase, but I must decrease; John would not suffer any envy or prejudice to remain in the hearts of his Disciples against Christ upon his account, but seeks to check it presently. But he being now not present with them, the Pharisees more easily engaged them in this opposition and objection against Christ about Fasting, to join with them therein. And the zeal that John's Disciples had for the reputation of their Master might somewhat incline them also to it; for they saw the people following Christ: which they thought might be some eclipse to it, and consequently to their own, as they were his Disciples.
Next we may consider the persons that make the objection, whereby we may see yet further ground of it. It was the Disciples of the Pharisees and John. These Pharisees were the chief Ring-leaders upon all occasions in any opposition against Christ; one while they object against him and his Disciples for not observing the Sabbath. Another while for not washing before they did eat, and sometimes for his too much familiarity with Publicans and sinners, &c. And here for not fasting. And now they ingaged the Disciples of John with them that they might make their objection and opposition the more plausible, for John was in great reputation with the people. Wherein John's Disciples were justly to be blamed for joining with the Pharisees in an opposition to Christ, who were his inveterate adversaries. But John their Master being now in Prison, they were the more easily drawn in with them, for had he been with them he would not have suffered such a thing: (his great errand and business being to raise up the reputation of Christ among the people, to remove prejudices against him, to prepare the way for him, and to turn the hearts of the people to him.) A pregnant instance whereof we have John 3.26, 27, 28. where John's Disciples came with a story to their Master, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all come to him, but John answered, A man can receive nothing, except it be given from above, ye your selves bear me witness that I said I was not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom, &c. he must increase, but I must decrease; John would not suffer any envy or prejudice to remain in the hearts of his Disciples against Christ upon his account, but seeks to check it presently. But he being now not present with them, the Pharisees more easily ingaged them in this opposition and objection against Christ about Fasting, to join with them therein. And the zeal that John's Disciples had for the reputation of their Master might somewhat incline them also to it; for they saw the people following Christ: which they thought might be some eclipse to it, and consequently to their own, as they were his Disciples.
