Luke 5:38

KJV

But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} new {G3501} wine {G3631} must be put {G992} into {G1519} new {G2537} bottles {G779}; and {G2532} both {G297} are preserved {G4933}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the contrary, new wine must be put into freshly prepared wineskins.

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.

American Standard Version

But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:38, "But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved," encapsulates a profound principle taught by Jesus regarding the incompatibility of His new, dynamic ministry and the rigid, old religious structures of His day. It serves as a climactic statement in a series of parables, emphasizing the necessity of a transformed, adaptable vessel to contain the vibrant, expansive truth of the Gospel, ensuring both the message and its reception are preserved and flourish.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the concluding statement in Jesus' response to the Pharisees and scribes who questioned why His disciples did not fast, unlike the disciples of John and the Pharisees themselves ([Luke 5:33](/luke/5-33 "The Question of Fasting")). Jesus first uses the analogy of wedding guests not fasting while the bridegroom is present ([Luke 5:34-35](/luke/5-34-35 "The Bridegroom Analogy")). He then presents two brief, interconnected parables: the new patch on an old garment ([Luke 5:36](/luke/5-36 "The Parable of the New Patch")) and new wine in old wineskins ([Luke 5:37](/luke/5-37 "The Parable of New Wine and Old Wineskins")). Luke 5:38 functions as the summary and logical conclusion to these illustrations, particularly the wineskin analogy, reinforcing the absolute necessity of new vessels for the new reality He is introducing. It underscores the idea that His teaching is not merely an addition or modification to the existing system but a fundamentally new paradigm.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "bottles" were typically "wineskins"—bags made from animal hides (like goat or sheep skins). When new, these wineskins were supple and elastic, capable of stretching as new wine fermented and produced gases. As wine aged, it would be transferred to older, more stable wineskins or clay jars. Old wineskins, having already stretched and then dried, would become brittle and inflexible. If new, still-fermenting wine were poured into such old, rigid wineskins, the pressure from the ongoing fermentation would cause the old skins to burst, resulting in the loss of both the wine and the container. This common agricultural practice provides a vivid, relatable metaphor for the people of Jesus' time. The "old" system refers to the Mosaic Law as interpreted and practiced by the Pharisees, characterized by rigid traditions and legalistic adherence, while the "new" represents the radical, life-giving message and work of Jesus, which emphasized inner transformation, grace, and a direct relationship with God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. The foremost theme is the **Incompatibility of Old and New**. Jesus' teaching highlights that His message and ministry are not compatible with the rigid, legalistic framework of traditional Judaism. Attempting to force the dynamic, expanding truth of the Gospel into outdated, inflexible religious forms would destroy both. Another key theme is **Readiness for Radical Change**. The parable calls for an openness and receptivity to God's new work. Just as new wine requires new, flexible wineskins, the transformative power of Jesus' teachings demands a receptive heart and a willingness to depart from traditions or mindsets that hinder spiritual growth and the reception of God's fresh revelation. Finally, the phrase "and both are preserved" points to the theme of **Divine Preservation and Efficacy**. God's design ensures that both the "new wine" (the truth of the Gospel and the New Covenant) and the "new bottles" (the transformed lives and flexible structures of His kingdom) are maintained and effective when properly aligned, guaranteeing the enduring power and purity of Christ's message and the spiritual life it brings. This concept is foundational to understanding the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The Promise of a New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:7-13](/hebrews/8-7-13 "The Superiority of the New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Greek, _néos_):** (G3501) This word, used for "new wine," signifies something "new" primarily in terms of age or time—fresh, recently made, young, or unfermented. It emphasizes the vitality and active, expanding nature of the wine, which is still undergoing fermentation and thus needs room to grow and change.
* **new (Greek, _kainós_):** (G2537) This word, used for "new bottles" (wineskins), denotes "new" in quality, kind, or character, not merely in time. It implies something fresh, superior, unprecedented, and qualitatively different. The "new" wineskins are not just recently acquired, but are of a nature capable of accommodating the dynamic "new wine"—they are flexible, adaptable, and fit for purpose. This distinction between _néos_ and _kainós_ is crucial for understanding the parable's depth.
* **bottles (Greek, _askós_):** (G779) This term specifically refers to a "leathern (or skin) bag used as a bottle," i.e., a wineskin. Its literal meaning grounds the metaphor in a tangible, everyday reality for Jesus' audience, highlighting the physical properties of the container—its elasticity when new, and its rigidity when old—as central to the parable's message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But new wine must be put into new bottles":** This clause presents the core imperative of the parable. The conjunction "But" (G235, _allá_) signals a strong contrast to the preceding idea of patching old garments or putting new wine into old wineskins. The "new wine" (G3631, _oînos_ with G3501, _néos_) represents the vibrant, expanding, and transformative message of the Gospel and the New Covenant, characterized by grace, inner renewal, and the indwelling Spirit. The "new bottles" (G779, _askós_ with G2537, _kainós_) represent the appropriate, flexible, and renewed spiritual vessels—whether individual hearts, new forms of worship, or the emerging community of believers—that are capable of receiving and containing this dynamic truth without being destroyed by its power. The phrase "must be put" (G992, _blētéos_) indicates a divine necessity or an inescapable truth.
* **"and both are preserved":** This concluding clause, connected by "and" (G2532, _kaí_), highlights the positive outcome of adhering to the principle. When the "new wine" is placed in "new bottles," both the wine (the Gospel truth) and the bottles (the transformed lives and new spiritual structures) are "preserved" (G4933, _syntēréō_). This implies that both the integrity and power of the Gospel message and the spiritual vitality and functionality of those who receive it are maintained. This preservation ensures the enduring impact and purity of Christ's message, preventing the destruction that would occur if the old and new were improperly mixed.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Luke 5:38, and the preceding verses, is **Metaphor**. Jesus uses the tangible, everyday experience of handling wine and wineskins to convey profound spiritual truths. The "new wine" is a metaphor for the dynamic, expanding, and revolutionary message of the Gospel, the New Covenant, and the Spirit-empowered life. The "wineskins" are a metaphor for the vessels or structures that contain this message—whether the hearts and lives of individuals, the religious systems, or the practices of a faith community. The parable also contains elements of **Contrast**, sharply juxtaposing the "old" (old wine, old wineskins, old garment) with the "new" (new wine, new wineskins, new cloth), highlighting their inherent incompatibility. This contrast underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ministry, which was not merely an amendment to Judaism but a fundamentally new work. Furthermore, there is **Symbolism** embedded within the metaphor, where the bursting of old wineskins symbolizes the destruction or failure that occurs when new spiritual realities are forced into rigid, outdated forms, leading to the loss of both the message and the means of its containment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:38 is a cornerstone teaching that articulates the fundamental shift from the Old Covenant to the New. It reveals that the vibrant, living truth of the Gospel, with its emphasis on grace, faith, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, cannot be confined within the rigid, external legalism and traditions that characterized much of the Jewish religious system of Jesus' day. The "new wine" represents the overflowing, dynamic reality of God's kingdom breaking forth, a reality that demands a new kind of spiritual receptivity and a transformed heart. Trying to pour this new, active truth into old, brittle "wineskins"—hearts clinging to external rituals, religious systems unwilling to adapt, or minds closed to fresh revelation—would inevitably lead to rupture and loss. The preservation of "both" signifies God's intention for His new work to thrive, requiring a complete renewal of the vessel to contain the power of His Spirit and truth.

* [Matthew 9:16-17](/matthew/9-16-17 "The Parable of the New Patch and New Wineskins")
* [Mark 2:21-22](/mark/2-21-22 "The Parable of the New Patch and New Wineskins")
* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:38 serves as a timeless warning and a profound invitation for believers and the Church across generations. It challenges us to continually examine our "wineskins"—our personal beliefs, traditions, methods, and organizational structures—to ensure they are flexible and receptive enough to contain the ever-fresh, dynamic work of the Holy Spirit. If we become rigid, resistant to change, or overly attached to past forms, we risk becoming "old wineskins" that cannot hold the "new wine" God desires to pour out. This can manifest as an unwillingness to embrace new expressions of worship, innovative approaches to ministry, or fresh understandings of biblical truth that challenge long-held assumptions. True spiritual vitality requires a humble and adaptable spirit, ready to shed outdated forms that hinder the flow of God's life. The goal is not merely novelty for novelty's sake, but a commitment to preserving the power and purity of the Gospel by ensuring our vessels are fit for its dynamic nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my personal faith or church life might I be clinging to "old wineskins" that are resistant to the "new wine" God wants to pour out?**
* **How can I cultivate a more flexible and adaptable heart and mind, open to the fresh movements of the Holy Spirit, even if they challenge my comfort zone or traditions?**
* **What specific traditions or practices, either personal or communal, might be hindering the full expression and preservation of the Gospel's power in my life or community?**
* **How does this parable encourage me to prioritize the dynamic, transformative power of the Gospel over rigid adherence to external forms or legalistic interpretations?**

### FAQ

**What do the "new wine" and "new bottles" (wineskins) represent in this parable?**

Answer: The "new wine" primarily represents the dynamic, expanding, and transformative reality of the Gospel, the New Covenant, and the Spirit-empowered life that Jesus inaugurated. It signifies the fresh, living truth and power that cannot be contained by outdated religious forms. The "new bottles" or "wineskins" represent the appropriate vessels or structures capable of holding this new reality. These can include the transformed hearts and lives of individuals, new spiritual practices, new expressions of worship, or the emerging community of believers that operates under the principles of grace and the Spirit, rather than rigid legalism. The parable emphasizes that the new spiritual reality requires a new spiritual receptivity and new ways of living out faith.

**Does this parable mean that all old traditions or laws are bad and must be discarded?**

Answer: Not necessarily that all old traditions are "bad," but rather that the *spirit* and *purpose* of the old system are fundamentally different from the new. Jesus was not advocating for a complete abandonment of all Jewish heritage, but for a recognition that His coming brought a qualitative shift. The Old Covenant, with its laws and rituals, served a purpose in preparing the way, but it was not designed to contain the full, fermenting power of the New Covenant in Christ. Trying to force the dynamic, grace-filled reality of the Gospel into the rigid, legalistic framework of the old system would destroy both. It's about discerning what is truly "new" and ensuring the vessel is suitable, rather than indiscriminately discarding everything old. The parable highlights the need for spiritual discernment and adaptability to God's progressive revelation, as seen in the transition from the law to grace in [Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "No Longer Under Law, But Under Grace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:38 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very essence of the "new wine" and the initiator of the "new bottles." Jesus Himself embodies the new covenant, a superior and living reality that cannot be confined by the limitations of the Old Covenant's legalistic framework. His life, death, and resurrection ushered in a radical new way of relating to God—a relationship based on grace, faith, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, rather than strict adherence to external laws and rituals. He is the "new and living way" ([Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "The New and Living Way")) that makes the old obsolete ([Hebrews 8:13](/hebrews/8-13 "A New Covenant Makes the First Obsolete")). The "new bottles" are found in those who, by faith, are united with Christ and become "new creations" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), receiving new hearts and minds transformed by the Spirit. This transformation enables them to embrace the dynamic, ever-expanding truth of the Gospel without bursting under its pressure. Christ not only brings the "new wine" but also creates the "new wineskins" through His redemptive work, ensuring that His life-giving message is preserved and powerfully expressed through a people renewed by His Spirit, fulfilling the promise of a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "A New Heart and a New Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 8:8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Revelation 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Galatians 5:1

¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:6

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.