The Bridegroom

In the Old Testament God pictured himself as the husband of his people, rejoicing over them 'as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride.' Jesus took up the image for himself. Asked why his disciples did not fast, he answered, 'Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?' John the Baptist called himself 'the friend of the bridegroom,' content to rejoice at his voice. In the parable of the ten virgins the bridegroom's coming at midnight pictures the Lord's return, and Revelation looks ahead to 'the marriage of the Lamb,' when his bride is made ready.

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Mark 2 John 3

Key Passages

While the Bridegroom Is With Them

Mark 2:18-20

Jesus explains that his presence is a time of wedding joy, though days of mourning will come when he is taken away.

A¹⁸nd the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

¹⁹ And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ²⁰ But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The Friend of the Bridegroom

John 3:27-30

John the Baptist rejoices to step aside for the bridegroom: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'

J²⁷ohn answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. ²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. ³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.