{The disciples of John} (hoi math(8874)ai I(9361)nou). One is
surprised to find disciples of the Baptist in the role of critics
of Christ along with the Pharisees. But John was languishing in
prison and they perhaps were blaming Jesus for doing nothing
about it. At any rate John would not have gone to Levi's feast on
one of the Jewish fast-days. "The strict asceticism of the
Baptist ( 11:18 ) and of the Pharisaic rabbis ( Lu 18:12 ) was
imitated by their disciples" (McNeile).