Luke 5:33

οἱ δὲ connects what follows with what goes before as a continuation of the same story. Not so in Mk.: connection there simply topical. The supposed speakers are the Pharisees and scribes (Luke 5:30). In Mk. Phar. and John's disciples. In Mt. the latter only. If the Pharisees and scribes were the spokesmen, their putting John's disciples first in stating the common practice would be a matter of policy = John held in respect by Jesus, why then differ even from him? πυκνὰ (neuter plural, from πυκνός, dense), frequently. δεήσεις ποιοῦνται, make prayers, on system; added to complete the picture of an ascetic life; cf. Luke 2:37; referred to again in Luke 11:1; probably the question really concerned only fasting, hence omitted in the description of the life of the Jesus-circle even in Lk. ἐσθίουσιν καὶ πίνουσι, eat and drink; on the days when we fast, making no distinction of days.