The next controversy about Jesus arose because the disciples of Jesus did not fast when other pious Jews did. Mark uses the question about the provocative behaviour of Jesus' disciples to present, as a reply, teachings of Jesus about himself, his disciples and his work. Using the form of a parable, he refers to himself symbolically as a bridegroom, indicating in 2: 19 that his disciples should be as joyful as guests at a wedding feast because God's rule in the world was being manifested in what he was doing. The disciples will fast in sorrow at the time of apparent disaster when 'the bridegroom' dies (2:20). In 2:21-22 there are two vivid and terse little parables. An old coat cannot be patched with new cloth. New wine cannot be put into old wineskins.

In both parables the meaning is similar; the old and rigid attitudes and practices of Judaism are not adequate to express and contain the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The new must supersede the old, as Mark's readers knew. They had not accepted Judaism but the Good News when they turned from paganism.