Mark 2:21

KJV

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

KJV (with Strong's)

No man {G3762} also {G2532} seweth {G1976} a piece {G1915} of new {G46} cloth {G4470} on {G1909} an old {G3820} garment {G2440}: else {G1490} the new piece {G2537} that filled it up {G4138} taketh away {G142} from {G846} the old {G3820}, and {G2532} the rent {G4978} is made {G1096} worse {G5501}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old coat; if he does, the new patch tears away from the old cloth and leaves a worse hole.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

No man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:21 presents a concise parable from Jesus, illustrating the fundamental incompatibility between His radical new ministry and the rigid, worn-out religious systems of His day. Through the analogy of sewing a piece of unshrunk, new cloth onto an old garment, Jesus reveals that attempts to patch His transformative message onto existing, inadequate structures will not lead to repair but rather to greater damage and a worsening of the original flaw, emphasizing the need for a complete, not partial, transformation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of encounters in [Mark 2](/mark/2 "Mark 2 - Jesus' Authority and New Way") where Jesus challenges established Jewish religious norms. Specifically, it directly follows the question posed by John's disciples and the Pharisees regarding why Jesus' disciples do not fast ([Mark 2:18](/mark/2-18 "Mark 2:18 - The Question of Fasting")). Jesus responds with two interconnected parables: the new cloth on an old garment ([Mark 2:21](/mark/2-21 "Mark 2:21 - The New Cloth and Old Garment")) and the new wine in old wineskins ([Mark 2:22](/mark/2-22 "Mark 2:22 - The New Wine and Old Wineskins")). Both parables serve to explain the profound difference between His ministry and the traditional practices, signaling a new era that cannot be contained by the old.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, garments were valuable possessions, often mended to prolong their use. However, the process of cloth making involved fulling (shrinking and thickening) the fabric. New, unfulled cloth would shrink significantly when washed, unlike older, already shrunken fabric. The religious landscape of Jesus' time was dominated by the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions (Halakha) meticulously developed by groups like the Pharisees. These traditions, while intended to safeguard the Law, had often become rigid, legalistic, and burdensome, obscuring the spirit of God's covenant. Jesus' ministry, characterized by grace, healing, and a direct relationship with God, represented a stark contrast to this prevailing religious system.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **incompatibility of the new and the old**. Jesus' teaching is not a mere reform or an an addition to the existing religious framework; it is a fundamentally new paradigm. This parable underscores the idea of **radical transformation versus superficial reform**. Attempts to simply "patch up" old, inadequate spiritual practices or legalistic interpretations with the vibrant, living truth of Jesus will not work; they will only lead to greater damage. Implicitly, this points towards the **New Covenant**, which supersedes the Old Covenant's ceremonial and legalistic aspects, offering a new way of relating to God based on faith and the Spirit, as foreshadowed in passages like [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promised").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Greek, _ágnaphos'_):** This word (G46) specifically refers to cloth that is "unfulled" or "unshrunk." It denotes raw, unprocessed fabric that has not yet undergone the shrinking process that occurs with washing. This detail is crucial to the parable's meaning, as it highlights the destructive nature of combining such new material with old, already shrunken fabric.
* **old (Greek, _palaiós'_):** This term (G3820) describes something "antique," "not recent," or "worn out." Applied to the garment, it signifies fabric that has already been used, washed, and is likely brittle or weakened. The contrast with "new" (unshrunk) cloth emphasizes the inherent difference in their properties and reactions to stress.
* **taketh away (Greek, _aírō'_):** This verb (G142) means "to lift up," "to take up or away," or "to remove." In the context of the parable, it describes the action of the new, shrinking patch pulling away a piece of the old, brittle garment. This signifies a destructive removal, not a gentle mending.
* **rent (Greek, _schísma'_):** This noun (G4978) literally means a "split" or "gap," from which we derive the English word "schism." In the parable, it refers to the tear or rip created in the old garment when the new patch shrinks and pulls away. This "rent" is the worsened condition, a greater damage than the original flaw.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment:"** This opening clause sets up the common-sense observation. No one with practical wisdom would attempt such a repair, as it goes against the known properties of the materials. The "new cloth" (specifically, unshrunk fabric) represents Jesus' radical, transformative message and ministry, while the "old garment" symbolizes the existing, rigid, and worn-out religious system, particularly the legalistic interpretations and traditions of Judaism.
* **"else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old,"** This explains the inevitable consequence of such an unwise action. When the new, unshrunk patch is washed, it will contract. As it shrinks, its strong pull will tear away a portion of the weaker, brittle old garment to which it was attached. This illustrates that attempting to integrate Jesus' dynamic, grace-filled truth into a rigid, legalistic framework will not result in a harmonious blend but a destructive conflict, where the newness actively disrupts the old.
* **"and the rent is made worse."** The final outcome is not repair but exacerbation of the problem. The original tear or flaw in the old garment is not fixed; instead, a new, larger, and more severe tear is created. This highlights the futility and detrimental effects of trying to force Jesus' new paradigm into an incompatible, outdated system, leading to greater brokenness than before.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 2:21 employs **Analogy** or **Parable** as its primary literary device, using a familiar, everyday scenario (mending clothes) to convey a profound spiritual truth. The **Symbolism** is rich: the "new cloth" represents Jesus' new covenant, His teachings, and the new life He offers, while the "old garment" symbolizes the worn-out, legalistic system of Judaism, particularly as practiced by the Pharisees. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the properties of new, unshrunk fabric with old, brittle fabric, vividly illustrating the incompatibility of Jesus' transformative message with rigid, traditional religious structures. The outcome—a worsened "rent"—serves as a stark **Consequence** to emphasize the futility of such an attempt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:21 is a powerful statement about the radical nature of Jesus' ministry and the New Covenant he inaugurates. It teaches that God's new work in Christ is not a mere addition or patch-up to old forms and traditions, but a complete transformation that requires a new framework. Trying to force the dynamic, living truth of the gospel into rigid, legalistic structures will only lead to spiritual damage and a greater disconnect from God's intended purpose. This parable, alongside the new wine/old wineskins analogy, underscores that the arrival of the Messiah brings a fundamentally different way of relating to God, one centered on grace, faith, and the Spirit, rather than external rituals and human traditions.

* [Matthew 9:16](/matthew/9-16 "Matthew 9:16 - Parallel Parable of New Cloth")
* [Luke 5:36](/luke/5-36 "Luke 5:36 - Parallel Parable of New Cloth")
* [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - A Better Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 2:21 challenges believers to critically examine whether they are attempting to patch the vibrant, transformative truth of Christ onto old, unredeemed aspects of their lives or inherited traditions. Genuine Christian faith is not about merely adding Jesus to existing habits, attitudes, or worldly philosophies without fundamental change. If we try to impose the "new cloth" of Christ's teachings onto the "old garment" of our unrenewed minds or legalistic tendencies, the result will not be wholeness but a greater "rent"—a deeper spiritual struggle, hypocrisy, or a distorted understanding of the gospel. This parable calls for a willingness to let go of old patterns, mindsets, and even religious practices that are incompatible with the Spirit of Christ, embracing the radical newness He brings. It encourages us to be open to God's complete transformation, allowing Him to make us truly new creations, rather than clinging to what is old, broken, or merely superficial.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I trying to patch new Christian principles onto old, unexamined habits or worldly ways of thinking?**
* **What "old garments"—whether personal attitudes, traditions, or religious practices—might be hindering the full, transformative work of Christ in me?**
* **Am I truly open to the radical newness Christ offers, or do I prefer to make minor adjustments to maintain comfort and familiarity?**

### FAQ

**What does the "new cloth" represent in this parable?**

Answer: The "new cloth" (specifically, unshrunk or unfulled fabric) represents the radical, dynamic, and transformative nature of Jesus' ministry, His teachings, and the New Covenant He inaugurated. It signifies the fresh, vibrant, and expansive reality of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought, which cannot be constrained by or merely added to existing, rigid religious structures.

**What does the "old garment" symbolize?**

Answer: The "old garment" symbolizes the existing religious system of Jesus' day, particularly the legalistic interpretations and traditions of Judaism as practiced by the Pharisees. It represents the worn-out, brittle, and inadequate forms that had become rigid and burdensome, unable to contain the new life and freedom offered by Christ. It is a system focused on external adherence rather than internal transformation.

**How does this parable relate to the concept of the New Covenant?**

Answer: This parable is a powerful illustration of the need for the New Covenant. Just as new, unshrunk cloth cannot be sewn onto an old garment without tearing it further, the new spiritual reality brought by Jesus cannot simply be patched onto the Old Covenant system. The Old Covenant, with its emphasis on law and ritual, served its purpose but was ultimately a temporary measure ([Galatians 3:24-25](/galatians/3-24-25 "Galatians 3:24-25 - Law as a Guardian")). Jesus ushers in a "better covenant" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")) founded on grace and forgiveness, which requires a complete spiritual renewal, not just a superficial repair of the old.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:21 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the "new cloth" and the embodiment of the New Covenant. He did not come to simply mend or reform the existing religious system, but to inaugurate a fundamentally new way of salvation and relationship with God. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection represent a complete spiritual overhaul, not a mere patch-up job. He is the one who makes all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")), offering a new creation in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and a newness of life through His Spirit ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). The "rent" that would be made worse by patching highlights the inability of the old system to contain the glory and freedom of Christ, necessitating His complete replacement of the old with the divine newness of His very being and saving work. He is the fulfillment of the promise of a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")), making it possible for humanity to truly walk in His ways.

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

Matthew 9:16

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

Psalms 103:13

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.