What does the Bible say about new and old wineskins?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that Christ brings the fulfilled new covenant, which cannot be contained within the old forms of ceremonial law and self-righteous religion. In Matthew 9:17 and Mark 2:22, Jesus compares His saving work to new wine that requires new wineskins, showing that the reality of His kingdom surpasses the shadows that pointed forward to Him. The old covenant ceremonies were good in their appointed time, but they could not bear the fullness of the gospel once Christ had come. Luke 5:39 also warns that people often prefer what is familiar, even when God is doing something greater. Believers therefore receive Christ by faith, honoring Scripture's unity while resting in His finished work rather than outdated ceremonial observances.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 9:17
Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."
- Mark 2:22
No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins."
- Luke 5:39
No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"
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