Luke 5:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.

NIV: He told them this parable: 'No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

NASB: And He was also telling them a parable: 'No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the patch from the new garment will not match the old.

CSB: He also told them a parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise, not only will he tear the new, but also the piece from the new garment will not match the old.

NLT: Then Jesus gave them this illustration: 'No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

KJV: And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

NKJV: Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old.

John's disciples have asked Jesus why His disciples don't fast like they and the Pharisees do (Matthew 9:14). Jesus explains that it's entirely improper to mourn while He is present. There will be a time when He will be taken, and then they will mourn. For now, it's more appropriate to celebrate and feast (Luke 5:33–35).

Now, Jesus reveals that fasting is only one of many differences between the life of faith He teaches and the mass of man-made tradition Judaism has become. His message involves the new covenant (Luke 22:20), importantly different from the Mosaic covenant as they practice it. Jesus starts by saying they can't just add parts of what He teaches to Judaism. To do so would nullify the effect of the new covenant because it wouldn't include the heart. And it would tear apart the Mosaic covenant if they attempted to add to it. The point is that Jesus' way can't "patch" the traditions of the Pharisees. They can't use Jesus' ways to cover over worn-out traditions without destroying both.

The book of Acts and Paul's letters give an example. The Pharisees who became Christ-followers wanted to keep their old ways so they would still be welcome in the synagogue. The new way of Christ is that Jews and Gentiles are equally welcome in the fellowship of the church. The Jewish Christians couldn't attend synagogue if they associated with uncircumcised Gentiles. Their solution was to tell the Gentiles they needed to be circumcised. They accepted the "patch" of welcoming Gentiles but damaged it beyond repair by redefining Jesus' way of salvation, which is always by grace, not works, even the work of circumcision (Galatians 6:12–13).

The solution isn't to patch the old Jewish traditions with Jesus' way, but to abandon traditions as paths to righteousness and accept Jesus' new "garment."

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.