The disciples of John had not a clear understanding of Christ's work; they thought there might be some foundation for the charges of the Pharisees. They observed many of the rules prescribed by the rabbis, and even hoped to be justified by the works of the law. Fasting was practiced by the Jews as an act of merit, and the most rigid among them fasted two days in every week. The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting when the latter came to Jesus with the inquiry, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but Thy disciples fast not?"

Johannes' disciple havde ikke nogen klar forståelse af Kristi gerning. De mente, at der måske lå noget til grund for farisæernes anklage. De overholdt selv mange af de regler, der var foreskrevet af de skriftkloge, og de håbede endog at blive retfærdiggjorte ved lovens gerninger. Faste blev overholdt af jøderne som en fortjenstfuld handling, og de strengeste iblandt dem fastede to gange om ugen. Farisæerne og Johannes' disciple fastede, da de sidstnævnte kom til Jesus med dette spørgsmål: "Hvorfor faster vi og farisæerne, men dine disciple faster ikke?"