And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: otherwise the new wine will break the bottles; and it will be spilled and the bottles will be lost.
και ουδεις βαλλει οινον νεον εις ασκους παλαιους ει δε μηγε ρηξει ο νεος οινος τους ασκους και αυτος εκχυθησεται και οι ασκοι απολουνται
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 5 commentaries
Alternatively, in their current state of weakness and without the renewal of the Spirit, they resemble worn furs and tattered garments. Consequently, they should not be encumbered with an overly demanding lifestyle, similar to the way one would not sew a fresh patch onto a frayed piece of clothing. Thus, it can be inferred that the apostles are compared to worn furs in their vulnerability, yet the Pharisees may also be viewed in this light.
The Lord makes it clear that the teachings of Christ are beyond the comprehension of those bound by the law, as well as inaccessible to hearts that have not undergone transformation by the Holy Spirit. He illustrates this by stating, "a torn patch cannot be put on a new garment, and old skins cannot hold new wine." The initial covenant had become obsolete and was not without faults. Consequently, those who cling to it and harbor the ancient commandments in their hearts have no part in Christ's new covenant, for "in him all things have become new." Their minds remain in disrepair, disconnected from the ministers of this new order.
As scripture attests through the voice of a holy prophet, the Lord declares, "a new heart and a new spirit will I put within them." Additionally, David implores, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." We are also instructed to "put off the old man and put on the new man, renewed in the image of Him who created him." Paul further advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God." Thus, without the renewal of the spirit, individuals cannot demonstrate the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. As it is said, "no man now pours wine into old skins." The hearts of the Jews represent those old skins, making them incapable of containing the new wine—the joyful command of the gospel meant to uplift humanity. Yet, Christ has bestowed upon us these remarkable blessings, graciously filling us with spiritual gifts and paving the way for every virtue.
Christ is not embraced by those who adhere to the law, nor is He easily accepted by human hearts that have yet to experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit, as stated in Titus 3:5. The Lord teaches that one cannot patch old garments with new fabric, nor can old wineskins contain new wine (Luke 5:36-38). The former covenant had fallen into disrepair and lacked perfection. Consequently, those who remain attached to it and hold onto outdated commandments are excluded from the new life found in Christ. In Him, all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17), and those with a corrupted mindset cannot find harmony or fellowship with the servants of the new covenant.
No one puts new wine into old wineskins. This analogy illustrates the fragility of our human condition when we consider our bodies like the skins of deceased animals. Oh, if only we could embody the purpose of fine furs—protecting the sacred gift we have received! As we carefully pour new wine into fresh containers, we will not face harm. Thus, it is essential to keep these containers full: empty vessels fall victim to decay and pests, while those that are replenished are sustained by grace.
Embarrassed by the response, the religious leaders seek to retaliate against both the teacher and His followers, criticizing them for the supposed leniency of His teachings. They imply that by being so forgiving of sinners, they do not set themselves apart from those they regard as less devout in their fasting and prayers. Fasting and prayer are fundamental practices for cleansing oneself from sin and achieving sanctity, but these practices lack significance in their view.
To further reinforce their argument, the Pharisees invite the disciples of John who happen to be present, and, referencing the revered example set by John, as well as their own conduct—one that appears to humble those whom He admonishes—they pose a question: Why do your disciples not fast and pray in the same way we do, or like the disciples of John? The Lord responds to this inquiry without surprise.
First, it is essential to differentiate between the conditions of these various disciples, and second, to understand how this expectation aligns with the broader teachings He imparts. Fasting signifies sorrow; in moments of grief, thoughts of food are far from one's mind, rooted in a sense of loss for something important. As long as I am among them, My disciples have no reason to mourn; much like the friends of the bridegroom who have no cause for sadness while the bridegroom is present. In contrast, the disciples of John are justified in fasting now, for their bridegroom is absent (he remains imprisoned). The Pharisees, who wish to remain neutral between John and Jesus, always have a compulsion to fast, although such fasting lacks the value they seek in the eyes of God. A time will come when My disciples will also have cause to fast, but even then, the practice of such fasting must harmonize with other external acts and the fresh beginnings within.
To mimic the disciples of John, making merely a partial alteration to the way of life, would be akin to patching an old garment with new cloth, ultimately making the rip larger. Conversely, to adhere strictly to the Pharisees’ traditions, attempting to preserve all the old customs, would be like putting new wine into old wineskins, resulting in a loss of both the wine and the skins. Therefore, every season has its purpose and appropriate measure. Thus, the Pharisees’ attempts to impose their regulations on Jesus were met with rejection, prompting the Lord’s disciples to reflect more closely on their interactions with both the Pharisees and the followers of John, from whom some had originated. The scribes and Pharisees learned from this moment that the Lord was not inclined to conform to their standards and desired to operate with complete autonomy.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 26 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS