33 They said to him, "Why do John's disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?"
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 9:14-17.
(6) And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
(6) Hypocrites and ignorant men make a point of making fasting and unimportant things a matter of holiness.
And they say unto him,.... The Scribes and Pharisees, or the disciples of John; see Matthew 9:14
why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers? set times apart frequently for fasting and prayer. The Ethiopic version reads, "why do the disciples of John baptize frequently, fast, and make prayers?" in which the former clause is added; and as without any authority, so without judgment, since it must suppose that the Pharisees did so likewise, whereas they rejected the baptism of John; for it follows, and "likewise" the disciples of "the Pharisees"; who fasted often, at least twice in the week, and made frequent prayers in the synagogues, and corners of the streets, and in widows' houses.
But thine eat and drink? instead of fasting and praying; See Gill on Matthew 9:14.
Make prayers - Long and solemn. Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18.
*More commentary available at chapter level.