Lexical Summary rhakos: Rag, piece of cloth Original Word: ῥάκος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cloth. From rhegnumi; a "rag," i.e. Piece of cloth -- cloth. see GREEK rhegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a rag NASB Translation cloth (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4470: ῤάκοςῤάκος, ῤάκους, τό (ῤήγνυμι, a piece torn off; specifically, a bit of cloth; cloth: Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21 (here L Tr marginal reading ῥακκος). (Homer, Herodotus, Aristophanes, Sophocles, Euripides, Josephus, the Sept., others.) Topical Lexicon Meaning in Context The word denotes a small piece of cloth used as a patch to mend a larger garment. In everyday first-century life such fragments were common, yet Jesus employs the image to unveil the incompatibility of two opposing realities: the new life He inaugurates and the old religious structures that cannot contain it. Biblical Occurrences Both references form part of a single teaching moment. Jesus has just been questioned about the behavior of His disciples. In response He offers two parallel illustrations—new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins—to show that the kingdom He brings cannot be confined within the worn fabric of traditional expectations. Cultural and Historical Background In the ancient Near East garments were valuable and often mended repeatedly. A new, unshrunk patch sewn to an aged garment would pull away when washed, tearing the cloth further. Listeners immediately recognized the folly of such a repair. Jesus’ hearers—tailors, homemakers, fishermen mending nets—grasped the practical lesson before the spiritual one. Theological Significance 1. Contrast of Covenants The “new cloth” points to the fresh work of grace in Christ; the “old garment” pictures the Mosaic system with its ceremonies and regulations. Jesus is not merely improving the old order; He is ushering in its fulfillment and transformation (Hebrews 8:13). 2. Incompatibility of Self-Reformation Moral patchwork—adding a few religious habits to an unchanged heart—cannot withstand the demands of holiness. Regeneration, not cosmetic repair, is required (John 3:3). 3. Integrity of the Gospel Message Mixing legalistic traditions with the simplicity of salvation by faith distorts both, just as a mismatched patch ruins a garment (Galatians 5:1-4). Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship: Teach new believers that following Christ is not an accessory to an old lifestyle but a total renewal (2 Corinthians 5:17). Illustrative Reflections “On Him we were laid, like worn fabric beneath the flawless patch, but He did not tear us further. Instead He wove us into a new garment altogether.” Such reflections help modern audiences feel the parable’s force. Related Biblical Themes New Wine—Mark 2:22 New Heart—Ezekiel 36:26 New Creation—2 Corinthians 5:17 Fulfillment of the Law—Matthew 5:17 Sample Exegetical Insight Mark 2:21: “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.” The present tense verbs heighten the principle’s ongoing relevance: at any time the new opposes mere addition to the old. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4470 reminds the church that Christ’s work cannot be reduced to external repairs. Only through wholehearted acceptance of the gospel can the tattered fabric of human righteousness be replaced by the seamless robe of His salvation (Isaiah 61:10). Forms and Transliterations ράκη ράκος ρακους ράκους ῥάκους ρακώδη rakous rhakous rhákousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 9:16 N-GNSGRK: ἐπιβάλλει ἐπίβλημα ῥάκους ἀγνάφου ἐπὶ NAS: of unshrunk cloth on an old KJV: a piece of new cloth unto an old INT: puts a piece of cloth unshrunk on Mark 2:21 N-GNS |
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