Devine Scripture

Luke 5:39

What does Luke 5:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:39 means

Jesus observes that no one who has drunk old wine desires new, saying, ‘The old is good.’ This remark captures human tendency toward familiarity and resistance to change: people comfortable with established practices may prefer them over unfamiliar newness, even if the new is better. In context, it explains why some refuse Jesus’ new way—they cherish the old wineskins of religious observance. The verse challenges readers to notice their own preference for the familiar and to be open to the gospel’s renewing demands, even when it disrupts settled pieties.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And no man, having had old wine, has any desire for new, for he says, The old is better.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and no one having drunk old <FI>wine<Fi> , doth immediately wish new, for he saith, The old is better.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And no man drinking old hath presently a mind to new: for he saith: The old is better.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And no one having drunk old wine [straightway] wishes for new, for he says, The old is better.

Context

As the final line of the parable sequence, this verse offers a sober note: change is resisted because the familiar has emotional and cultural weight. It follows the declaration that new wine needs fresh skins and warns that some will reject newness. The chapter closes on this teaching note after a series of callings and healings, reminding readers that Jesus’ work will provoke acceptance and resistance and that the church must be prepared for both.

v.38But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins.

v.39This passage

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 6:16

    Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

  • Hebrews 11:1

    Now faith is assurance ofthingshoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

  • Hebrews 11:39

    And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,

  • Romans 4:11

    and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

  • Mark 7:7

    But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.

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