Devine Scripture

Luke 5:38

What does Luke 5:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:38 means

Therefore new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins. Jesus gives the positive corollary: the remedy for the problem is new receptacles prepared to receive new life. Fresh skins (or new practices and institutions) will stretch and preserve the wine. In spiritual terms, Jesus calls for new structures, attitudes, and disciplines shaped by the gospel’s vitality. The principle implies that discipleship involves reformation of forms; the kingdom creates new communities and rhythms that can hold and sustain its life without bursting the containers inherited from old systems.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But new wine has to be put into new wine-skins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but new wine into new skins is to be put, and both are preserved together;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but new wine is to be put into new skins, and both are preserved.

Context

This conclusion to the parable sequence provides practical instruction after the warning pictures. It follows the wedding imagery and the anticipatory note about fasting and addresses the critics’ challenge by suggesting the necessity of novel frameworks. The verse concludes Jesus’ response to questions about disciples’ eating and drinking and wraps the chapter’s shift from signs and calls to teaching about the revolutionary nature of his ministry.

v.37And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish.

v.38This passage

v.39And no man having drunk old wine desireth new; for he saith, The old is good.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philippians 3:5

    circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

  • 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 a heart of flesh.

  • Colossians 2:19

    and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

  • Galatians 2:4

    and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

  • Galatians 5:1

    For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

  • Galatians 2:12

    For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.

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