Luke 5:38 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

NIV: No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

NASB: But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

CSB: No, new wine is put into fresh wineskins.

NLT: New wine must be stored in new wineskins.

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

NKJV: But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

Jesus is explaining that the freedom of the gospel He offers is incompatible with the hide-bound traditions of then-contemporary Judaism. Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses and did not discourage His Jewish followers from following the Law. He did condemn traditions and interpretations which went beyond Scripture, when they were enforced by the Pharisees. In the context of the stories of Luke 5:27—6:11, Luke highlights four ways in which this applies: associating with sinners, fasting in mourning when God the Son is present, seeing to one's bodily needs on the Sabbath, and helping others on the Sabbath.

Jesus warns Pharisees who might want to incorporate some of the manifestations of the gospel into their rigid religion: they can't. Their legalistic religious traditions are as brittle as an old hide that has been used to age wine. If the new wine of Jesus' gospel were to be forced into their traditions, the expansive grace would burst the skin and they would both be ruined. To follow Jesus, a "fresh wineskin" is needed: a new religious expression of faithfulness to God we know as "the church."

The Jews in the coming church will take some time to understand this. First, they will realize that the half-Jewish Samaritans can accept the gospel (Acts 8:4–25). Then, that devout Gentiles should be welcomed (Acts 8:26–40; 10). A bit later, a mass of Gentiles previously unfamiliar with Judaism will join the church in Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:19–26). Finally, the leadership will have to figure out how to fully integrate Jews and Gentiles in worship together (Acts 15). This new message requires a new expression.

Luke 5:33–39 records the second of four arguments Jesus has with religious leaders in between His callings of Levi (Luke 5:27–28) and the last seven disciples (Luke 6:12–16). The Pharisees couldn't understand why repentant sinners were cause for celebration (Luke 5:29–32). Now people can't understand why Jesus' presence is reason to celebrate and not join in the traditional fasts. After this, Luke records two altercations regarding the true nature of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1–11). The story of fasting and the wine and wineskins is also found in Matthew 9:14–17 and Mark 2:18–22.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.