The Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist used to fast frequently, more often than the Law required. They are shocked because the disciples of Jesus do not do the same. Jesus answers their criticism in two ways. It is not normal to fast during a wedding celebration and Jesus is like a bridegroom for his disciples. When he does leave them, then they will fast and indeed fasting has a long tradition in the Christian Church. But his second comment is even more significant. One does not put a patch of strong new cloth on old cloth which tears easily, making things worse than before. One does not put new wine into old leather wineskins. The new wine is still fermenting and expanding. The old skins are no longer flexible and will burst under the pressure. What Jesus is saying to his critics is that his Way is very different from the way of the Old Testament. His new Way cannot be fitted into the old ways, such as judging holiness by keeping laws. There are no laws in Jesus' Way, except for the one law of Love which should govern everything we say and do.