King James Version

What Does Matthew 9:16 Mean?

Matthew 9:16 in the King James Version says “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment,... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. new: or, raw, or, unwrought

Matthew 9:16 · KJV


Context

14

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

15

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

16

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. new: or, raw, or, unwrought

17

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. bottles: or, sacks of skin, or, leather

18

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus offers a parable about cloth and garments: 'No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse' (ουδεις δε επιβαλλει επιβλημα ρακους αγναφου επι ιματιω παλαιω). Unshrunk cloth (αγναφος, new/unprocessed) sewn onto old garment will shrink when washed, tearing away from the weakened old fabric and creating worse damage. The illustration teaches that new covenant realities cannot be patched onto old covenant forms. Jesus isn't reforming Judaism but inaugurating something fundamentally new. Attempting to combine the two destroys both. This has profound implications: Christianity isn't Judaism 2.0 but the fulfillment that transcends and replaces the preparatory system.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century garment repair was common in subsistence economies where clothing was valuable and carefully maintained. Everyone understood the problem of mixing new and old fabric. Jesus' illustration would have been immediately comprehensible. The deeper issue addressed Jewish Christian attempts to maintain old covenant practices (circumcision, food laws, festivals) while following Jesus. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) wrestled with this question. Paul's letters insist that Gentile Christians need not adopt Jewish customs. The temple's destruction (AD 70) forced recognition that old covenant forms had ended. The parable warned against syncretism that would destroy both Judaism's integrity and Christianity's newness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What old covenant or religious forms do Christians sometimes try to patch onto new covenant realities?
  2. How does this parable help us understand the relationship between Old and New Testaments?
  3. In what ways might we be trying to put 'new wine in old wineskins' in contemporary church practice?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
οὐδεὶς1 of 21

No man

G3762

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

δὲ2 of 21
G1161

but, and, etc

ἐπιβάλλει3 of 21

putteth

G1911

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

ἐπίβλημα4 of 21

a piece

G1915

a patch

ῥάκους5 of 21

cloth

G4470

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

ἀγνάφου6 of 21

of new

G46

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

ἐπὶ7 of 21

unto

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

ἱματίου8 of 21

garment

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

παλαιῷ·9 of 21

an old

G3820

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

αἴρει10 of 21

taketh

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

γὰρ11 of 21

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τὸ12 of 21
G3588

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

πλήρωμα13 of 21

that which is put in to fill it up

G4138

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

αὐτοῦ14 of 21
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

ἀπὸ15 of 21

from

G575

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

τοῦ16 of 21
G3588

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

ἱματίου17 of 21

garment

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

καὶ18 of 21

and

G2532

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

χεῖρον19 of 21

worse

G5501

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

σχίσμα20 of 21

the rent

G4978

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

γίνεται21 of 21

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 Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 9:16 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 Matthew 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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