King James Version

What Does Luke 5:36 Mean?

Luke 5:36 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Luke chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 5:36 · KJV


Context

34

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

35

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

36

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.

37

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

38

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
No man puts piece of new garment upon old if otherwise then both new maketh rent and piece taken from new agrees not with old. Parable. Piece epiblema patch. New garment himatiou kainou new cloth. Upon old palaion. Both new and old ruined. New cloth shrinks tears old. Principle mixing old new systems incompatible. Cannot patch old covenant with new. New wine new wineskins required. Jesus teaching represents new paradigm not patch on Judaism. Gospel not add-on to law but fulfillment replacement. Reformed theology sees discontinuity between covenants. New covenant superior Hebrews 8. Cannot mix law grace works faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish leaders wanted to fit Jesus into existing system. Cannot be done. Christianity not reformed Judaism but new covenant. Mixing law grace produces hybrid that satisfies neither. Galatians Paul fights Judaizers wanting to add law to gospel. Mixture ruins both. Early church struggled with this Acts 15 Council affirmed Gentiles not under Torah. Reformation recovered this truth salvation by grace through faith apart from works. Cannot be half grace half works. Modern church sometimes mixes merit grace performance acceptance. Gospel is pure grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does impossibility of patching old with new teach about incompatibility of law and grace?
  2. How does this parable warn against syncretism mixing gospel with other religious systems?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
Ἔλεγεν1 of 32

he spake

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

δὲ2 of 32

And

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ3 of 32

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραβολὴν4 of 32

a parable

G3850

a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage

πρὸς5 of 32

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοὺς6 of 32

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι7 of 32
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Οὐδεὶς8 of 32

No man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἐπίβλημα9 of 32

a piece

G1915

a patch

ἱμάτιον10 of 32

garment

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

καινοῦ11 of 32

of a new

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

ἐπιβάλλει12 of 32

putteth

G1911

to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal

ἐπὶ13 of 32

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἱμάτιον14 of 32

garment

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

παλαιῷ15 of 32

an old

G3820

antique, i.e., not recent, worn out

εἰ16 of 32
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ17 of 32

And

G1161

but, and, etc

μήγε,18 of 32
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

καὶ19 of 32

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ20 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καινοῦ21 of 32

of a new

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

σχίζει22 of 32

maketh a rent

G4977

to split or sever (literally or figuratively)

καὶ23 of 32

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῷ24 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παλαιῷ25 of 32

an old

G3820

antique, i.e., not recent, worn out

οὐ26 of 32

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

συμφωνει27 of 32

agreeth

G4856

to be harmonious, i.e., (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact)

ἐπίβλημα28 of 32

a piece

G1915

a patch

τὸ29 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπὸ30 of 32

that was taken out of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ31 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καινοῦ32 of 32

of a new

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 5:36 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 5:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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