King James Version

What Does Mark 2:21 Mean?

Mark 2:21 in the King James Version says “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. new cloth: or, raw, or, unwrought cloth”

Mark 2:21 · KJV

Context

19

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20

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

21

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. new cloth: or, raw, or, unwrought cloth

22

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. bottles: or, sacks of skin

23

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went , to pluck the ears of corn.

Read Mark 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus uses a parable contrasting old and new: 'No man seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment.' The 'new cloth' is unshrunk fabric that will contract when washed. Sewing it onto old, already-shrunk garment creates worse tear when the new cloth shrinks. This illustrates the incompatibility of Jesus' new covenant with old covenant forms. The new cloth represents the gospel kingdom Jesus inaugurates; the old garment represents Pharisaic Judaism. Jesus' message can't be patched onto the old system—it requires completely new wineskins. Reformed theology emphasizes the radical newness of new covenant—not mere reform but fulfillment and transformation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This parable addressed tension between Jesus' ministry and traditional Judaism. Pharisaic leaders expected Messiah to enforce stricter Torah observance, but Jesus proclaimed radical grace. Later, the early church struggled with this—Judaizers insisted Gentile converts must observe Mosaic law. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) clarified that faith in Christ, not law-keeping, justifies. The temple's destruction (AD 70) physically demonstrated the old covenant's obsolescence (Hebrews 8:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do you attempt to patch new covenant freedom onto old covenant legalism?
  2. How does understanding the gospel's radical newness free you from trying to supplement Christ's work?
  3. What religious traditions might you be clinging to that obscure the gospel's transforming power?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
καὶ1 of 24

“also”

G2532

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

οὐδεὶς2 of 24

“No man”

G3762

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

ἐπίβλημα3 of 24

“a piece”

G1915

a patch

ῥάκους4 of 24

“cloth”

G4470

a "rag," i.e., piece of cloth

ἀγνάφου5 of 24

“of new”

G46

properly, unfulled, i.e., (by implication) new (cloth)

ἐπιῤῥάπτει6 of 24

“seweth”

G1976

to stitch upon, i.e., fasten with the needle

ἐπὶ7 of 24

“on”

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

ἱμάτίῳ8 of 24

“garment”

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

παλαιοῦ9 of 24

“an old”

G3820

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

εἰ10 of 24
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ11 of 24
G1161

but, and, etc

μή12 of 24
G3361

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

αἴρει13 of 24

“taketh away”

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

τὸ14 of 24
G3588

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

πλήρωμα15 of 24

“that filled it up”

G4138

repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai

αὐτοῦ16 of 24

“from”

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

τὸ17 of 24
G3588

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

καινὸν18 of 24

“the new piece”

G2537

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

τοῦ19 of 24
G3588

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

παλαιοῦ20 of 24

“an old”

G3820

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

καὶ21 of 24

“also”

G2532

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

χεῖρον22 of 24

“worse”

G5501

from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)

σχίσμα23 of 24

“the rent”

G4978

a split or gap ("schism"), literally or figuratively

γίνεται24 of 24

“is made”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 2:21 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 Mark 2:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 9:161 Corinthians 10:13Isaiah 57:16Psalms 103:13-15

Test Your Knowledge

Mark 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMark Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Mark 2 with CommentaryAll Mark ChaptersComplete Mark QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes