Mark 2:18

οἱ μαθηταὶ Ἰωάννου. They imitated the strictness of the Baptist’s life (cf. Luke 11:1) and were fasting (R.V.), not “used to fast” (A.V.). It is the periphrastic tense again, as in Mark 1:6; Mark 1:33; Mark 2:6. John was in prison, so they could not ask him as to the difference of practice, and it would seem strange to them that their master should be in prison while Jesus was free and at a feast.

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ. This time the critics (Mark 2:6; Mark 2:16) address Him, but in their criticism they do not mention Him. Here both Mk and Mt. have διὰ τί, while Lk. has a mere statement of fact; Christ’s disciples do not keep the weekly fasts. The disciples of the Pharisees is an unusual expression.

οἱ δὲ σοί. The possessive pronouns are rare in Mk; σός here and Mark 5:19; ἐμός, Mark 8:38; Mark 10:40; ἡμέτερος and ὑμέτερος nowhere either in Mk or Mt.