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.

{G1161} No man {G3762} putteth {G1911} a piece {G1915} of new {G46} cloth {G4470} unto {G1909} an old {G3820} garment {G2440}, for {G1063} that which is put in to fill it up {G4138} taketh {G142}{G846} from {G575} the garment {G2440}, and {G2532} the rent {G4978} is made {G1096} worse {G5501}.

No one patches an old coat with a piece of unshrunk cloth, because the patch tears away from the coat and leaves a worse hole.

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.

And no man putteth a piece of undressed cloth upon an old garment; for that which should fill it up taketh from the garment, and a worse rent is made.

In Matthew 9:16, Jesus employs a vivid illustration to explain the incompatibility of His new ministry and the spiritual realities He brings with the rigid, worn-out religious systems of His day. This verse is part of a broader discussion where Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees regarding why His disciples do not fast, unlike John the Baptist's disciples or the Pharisees themselves.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees, who questioned why His disciples did not fast (Matthew 9:14). Jesus responds by first explaining that it's inappropriate for wedding guests to mourn while the bridegroom is present (Matthew 9:15), subtly identifying Himself as the bridegroom. He then provides two parables: the new cloth on an old garment (Matthew 9:16) and new wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17). Both parables underscore the radical, transformative nature of His message and presence, which cannot simply be patched onto or contained within existing, decaying religious traditions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Incompatibility of Old and New: The primary message is that Jesus' teachings and the new covenant He inaugurates are fundamentally different from the old Mosaic Law, especially as interpreted by the Pharisees. They cannot simply be added as an amendment or patch.
  • The Radical Nature of Jesus' Ministry: Jesus wasn't offering minor reforms but a complete spiritual overhaul. His ministry required a new way of understanding God, salvation, and righteousness that transcended mere external observances.
  • The Danger of Forced Integration: Trying to mix these two distinct realities — the vibrant, transformative power of Christ with rigid, dead traditions — results in destruction. The "rent is made worse," signifying that attempts to force such a blend will only lead to greater spiritual damage and a distorted understanding of God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "new cloth" translates from the Greek word agnaphos, which refers to unshrunk or unfulled cloth. When this kind of new, unshrunk material is sewn onto an old, already shrunk garment, it will shrink when washed. As it shrinks, it pulls away from the weaker, old fabric, causing the tear (or "rent") to become larger and more irreparable. The "old garment" (Greek: palaios) signifies something worn out, aged, and past its usefulness.

Practical Application

This parable serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spiritual transformation often requires more than superficial adjustments. It calls for a fundamental change in heart and perspective, rather than merely adding new practices to old, unregenerate ways. For believers, it highlights the importance of not trying to fit the dynamic life of Christ into rigid, legalistic frameworks or outdated practices that hinder true spiritual growth. Embracing Christ means embracing a new way of life that may challenge and even break from old habits and systems, leading to a more profound and authentic relationship with God, as seen in the concept of being a "new creation".

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1

    ¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:2

    I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.

  • John 16:12

    I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

  • Psalms 125:3

    For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:13

    And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

  • Isaiah 40:11

    He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

  • Genesis 33:14

    Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.

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