King James Version

What Does Matthew 9:17 Mean?

Matthew 9:17 in the King James Version says “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: ...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

Matthew 9:17 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

19

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The second parable extends the first: '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' (ουδε βαλλουσιν οινον νεον εις ασκους παλαιους ει δε μηγε ρηγνυνται οι ασκοι). 'Bottles' (ασκοι) were wineskins made from animal hides. New wine ferments, producing gas that expands flexible new wineskins but bursts old, brittle ones. The result: lost wine and ruined wineskins. Jesus teaches that new covenant realities require new forms and structures. The gospel's dynamic, expanding power cannot be contained in rigid old covenant structures. Attempting forced combination destroys both. The solution: 'new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.' Christianity requires new wineskins—new worship forms, new community structures, new theological frameworks appropriate to the gospel's revolutionary reality.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Winemaking was central to Jewish agricultural economy and religious life. Everyone understood fermentation and wineskin limitations. Jesus' audience would immediately grasp the illustration. The deeper application addressed Jewish Christians' attempt to retain temple worship, Sabbath regulations, dietary laws, and circumcision requirements while following Jesus. These old wineskins couldn't contain the gospel's explosive, boundary-crossing, Gentile-including reality. The book of Acts chronicles the painful process of recognizing that new covenant faith required new expressions. The church's separation from Judaism was traumatic but necessary—the new wine of the gospel required new wineskins of Christian community.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are the 'new wineskins' required for gospel ministry in contemporary culture?
  2. How do we preserve biblical truth while allowing for new forms and methods?
  3. What old wineskins might contemporary churches be clinging to that hinder gospel expansion?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
οὐδὲ1 of 31

“Neither”

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

βάλλουσιν2 of 31

“do men put”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

οἶνον3 of 31

“the wine”

G3631

"wine" (literally or figuratively)

νέον4 of 31

“new”

G3501

"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate

εἰς5 of 31

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀσκοὺς6 of 31

“bottles”

G779

a leathern (or skin) bag used as a bottle

παλαιούς·7 of 31

“old”

G3820

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

εἰ8 of 31
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ9 of 31
G1161

but, and, etc

μήγε,10 of 31
G3361

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

ῥήγνυνται11 of 31

“break”

G4486

to "break," "wreck" or "crack", i.e., (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; g2608 being its intensive (with the preposition in compositi

οἱ12 of 31
G3588

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

ἀσκοὺς13 of 31

“bottles”

G779

a leathern (or skin) bag used as a bottle

καὶ14 of 31

“and”

G2532

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

ὁ15 of 31
G3588

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

οἶνον16 of 31

“the wine”

G3631

"wine" (literally or figuratively)

ἐκχεῖται17 of 31

“runneth out”

G1632

to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow

καὶ18 of 31

“and”

G2532

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

οἱ19 of 31
G3588

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

ἀσκοὺς20 of 31

“bottles”

G779

a leathern (or skin) bag used as a bottle

ἀπολοῦνται·21 of 31

“perish”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ἀλλὰ22 of 31

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

βάλλουσιν23 of 31

“do men put”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

οἶνον24 of 31

“the wine”

G3631

"wine" (literally or figuratively)

νέον25 of 31

“new”

G3501

"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate

εἰς26 of 31

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀσκοὺς27 of 31

“bottles”

G779

a leathern (or skin) bag used as a bottle

καινούς,28 of 31

“new”

G2537

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

καὶ29 of 31

“and”

G2532

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

ἀμφότερα30 of 31

“both”

G297

(in plural) both

συντηροῦνται31 of 31

“are preserved”

G4933

to keep closely together, i.e., (by implication) to conserve (from ruin); mentally, to remember (and obey)

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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 9:4

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