Matthew 9:17

Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

Study Bible

Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins
The phrase "new wine" refers to the fresh, unfermented juice of the grape. In the context of the New Testament, it symbolizes the new covenant and the transformative teachings of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "new" here is "neos," indicating something fresh and unprecedented. "Old wineskins" represent the established religious practices and traditions of Judaism at the time. Wineskins, made from animal hides, would become brittle with age. The metaphor suggests that the new teachings of Jesus cannot be contained within the old, rigid structures of the Pharisaic law.

If they do, the skins will burst
The bursting of the skins is a vivid image illustrating the incompatibility of the new covenant with the old legalistic framework. The Greek verb "burst" (ῥήγνυμι, rhēgnymi) conveys a violent tearing apart, symbolizing the inevitable failure of trying to confine the dynamic and expansive nature of Christ's message within the constraints of outdated traditions. Historically, this reflects the tension between Jesus' revolutionary teachings and the established religious order.

the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined
The spilling of the wine signifies the loss of the new covenant's potential when forced into unsuitable structures. The Greek word for "ruined" (ἀπόλλυμι, apollymi) implies destruction or loss. This serves as a warning that clinging to old ways can lead to the forfeiture of the blessings and life found in Christ's teachings. The imagery underscores the necessity of receptivity and adaptability to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins
The "new wineskins" symbolize a new framework or mindset that is flexible and open to the teachings of Jesus. The Greek word for "new" here is "kainos," which implies something qualitatively new and different. This suggests that the followers of Christ must adopt a new way of thinking and living that aligns with the spirit of the Gospel. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's development of new practices and structures that were distinct from traditional Judaism.

and both are preserved
The preservation of both the wine and the wineskins highlights the harmony and sustainability that result from embracing the new covenant in a suitable context. The Greek word for "preserved" (συντηρέω, syntēreō) means to keep safe or maintain. This indicates that when the teachings of Christ are received with an open heart and mind, both the message and the believer are sustained and enriched. This serves as an inspirational call for believers to continually renew their faith and practices to remain aligned with the living and active word of God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this parable, Jesus uses this metaphor to teach about the newness of His message and the Kingdom of God.

2. Disciples of John the Baptist
They are part of the context, as they question Jesus about fasting, prompting this teaching.

3. Pharisees
Religious leaders who often questioned Jesus' practices and teachings, representing the old religious system.

4. Wineskins
A metaphorical element in the parable, representing structures or systems that hold spiritual truths.

5. New Wine
Symbolizes the new covenant and teachings of Jesus, which require new forms and understandings.

Teaching Points

The Necessity of Renewal
Just as new wine requires new wineskins, our spiritual lives require renewal and transformation to accommodate the teachings of Christ.

Embracing Change
The Kingdom of God often requires us to let go of old traditions and embrace new ways of thinking and living.

Preservation of the Gospel
The new wine of the Gospel must be preserved in ways that honor its transformative power, avoiding rigid structures that cannot contain it.

Personal Transformation
Believers are called to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, allowing the Holy Spirit to create new wineskins within us.

Community and Church Adaptation
Churches and communities must be willing to adapt and change to effectively carry the message of Christ in a contemporary context.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins challenge our current spiritual practices and traditions?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our personal faith is like a new wineskin, ready to receive and preserve the new wine of Christ's teachings?

3. How can the church today avoid becoming like old wineskins, and instead remain flexible and open to the Holy Spirit's leading?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "new wine" moment in your spiritual journey. How did you adapt to this change?

5. How do the concepts of new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the new covenant in Hebrews 8:13 relate to the parable of the wineskins in Matthew 9:17?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Mark 2:22 and Luke 5:37-38
These parallel passages also recount the parable of the wineskins, emphasizing the need for new structures to accommodate the new covenant.

2 Corinthians 5:17
This verse speaks about becoming a new creation in Christ, aligning with the idea of new wine needing new wineskins.

Hebrews 8:13
Discusses the new covenant making the old one obsolete, similar to the concept of new wine requiring new wineskins.