Mark 2 22

Mark 2:22 kjv

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.

Mark 2:22 nkjv

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."

Mark 2:22 niv

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins."

Mark 2:22 esv

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins ? and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins."

Mark 2:22 nlt

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins."

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 22 Meaning

This verse, a proverbial saying spoken by Jesus, illustrates the fundamental incompatibility between His new, vibrant ministry and teachings (the "new wine") and the rigid, outworn religious systems and traditions of His time (the "old wineskins"). Trying to force the dynamic new truth into inflexible old forms will lead to the destruction of both the container and the content. It conveys the necessity of having hearts and spiritual structures that are open and adaptable to receive and contain the living, transformative reality of the Kingdom of God brought by Jesus.

Mark 2 22 Context

Mark 2:22 is part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, regarding various practices and teachings. Immediately preceding this verse (Mark 2:18-22), John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees questioned Jesus why His disciples did not fast, unlike themselves. Jesus responded with three parables: the bridegroom (Mk 2:19-20), the patch on an old garment (Mk 2:21), and the new wine in old wineskins (Mk 2:22). All three parables make a unified point: Jesus’ arrival signifies a new epoch, and His message and methods are incompatible with the restrictive, legalistic traditions of the existing religious system. The broader context of Mark 2 shows Jesus challenging societal norms and religious interpretations by healing on the Sabbath, eating with tax collectors and sinners, and declaring His authority, consistently demonstrating that He brings a revolutionary Kingdom that cannot be contained by outdated religious forms.

Mark 2 22 Word analysis

• And no one puts: Introduces a universal truth or common practice. "No one" emphasizes the illogicality and danger of such an action.
• new (Greek: καινός - kainos): This is a crucial term. It signifies not merely "new in time" (for which the Greek neos would be used), but "new in kind," superior, fresh, unprecedented, qualitative newness. This applies to Jesus’ teaching and ministry, which ushered in a truly unique era distinct from the Old Covenant's forms.
• wine (Greek: οἶνος - oinos): Symbolizes the teachings, spirit, principles, power, or new life that Jesus brings with His Kingdom. Wine is dynamic; it ferments and expands, representing the living, transformative, and expansive nature of the Gospel.
• into old (Greek: παλαιός - palaios): This refers to something that is "old in time," worn out, obsolete, and therefore brittle or rigid. It signifies the established religious practices, human traditions, and the rigid legalism that had become dry and inelastic.
• wineskins (Greek: ἀσκούς - askous): These were containers made from animal hides. When new, they were supple and could expand as wine fermented. When old, they lost their elasticity, became brittle, and could not withstand the pressure of new fermentation. They represent the existing religious structures, external observances, rigid interpretations of the Law, or even the spiritual 'vessels' (hearts, minds) that cling to the obsolete.
• or else: Connects the two scenarios – if one were to do the ill-advised action, these are the inevitable consequences.
• the new wine bursts (Greek: ῥήγνυμι - rhēgnymai): Means to tear apart violently or explode. The dynamic new life of the Gospel cannot be confined by old, brittle forms without tearing them apart.
• the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined (Greek: ἀπόλλυνται - apol-lyntai): Describes the double tragedy. The "wine is spilled" (lost, wasted) because the "wineskins are ruined" (destroyed, perish). This emphasizes that attempting to fit the new spiritual reality into old, rigid structures not only destroys the structures but also diminishes or loses the precious new truth itself.
• But new wine must be put into new wineskins: A concluding assertion of the necessary compatibility. The spiritual 'vessel' must be renewed, flexible, and open to properly contain and appreciate the life-giving message and spirit of Christ.

Words-Group Analysis

• new wine into old wineskins: This central contrast highlights the incompatibility between the vibrant, expanding nature of Jesus's ministry and the rigid, unyielding religious forms and legalism of the Pharisees. The 'new wine' requires elasticity and freshness to grow, while the 'old wineskins' lack this capacity, leading to destructive consequences.
• bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined: This phrase vividly describes the double destruction resulting from forcing the new into the old. It means the rigid structure (wineskin) is broken, the valuable spiritual truth or life (wine) is lost or wasted, and the old system itself is destroyed and made unusable. This points to the ultimate failure and loss when resistance to change persists in the face of divine newness.
• new wine must be put into new wineskins: This declares the inevitable spiritual reality. For the new truth and life of Christ to be fully received, contained, and thrive, the containers (hearts, practices, religious frameworks) must also be renewed, adaptable, and made ready to accommodate the expansive, transformative power of God’s Kingdom.

Mark 2 22 Bonus section

This proverb emphasizes a qualitative disjunction between the age of the Law and the age of Grace brought by Christ. It is not just about avoiding minor adjustments but embracing a foundational shift. The parable subtly points to the transformative work required of human hearts. The rigid "wineskins" often symbolize not just religious institutions, but individual spiritual lives and minds that have become calcified by old patterns of thought, sin, or fear. Jesus is not merely presenting a better alternative, but an entirely different spiritual order that demands new ways of thinking and living. The implication is clear: without an interior transformation, one cannot truly contain or embody the truth of the Gospel. It underscores the urgency for spiritual renewal as the foundation for participating in the Kingdom of God.

Mark 2 22 Commentary

Mark 2:22 offers a profound metaphorical teaching from Jesus, using an easily understandable agricultural analogy. It is not an indictment of everything old, but a specific declaration of the inadequacy of the traditional, externalistic, and legalistic religious forms (the "old wineskins") to contain the radical, life-giving, and expansive essence of His Gospel (the "new wine"). The Jewish faith of Jesus’ day, in many of its practiced forms, had become a rigid system focused on external ritual and tradition rather than the Spirit of God. Trying to superimpose Jesus’ message of grace, inner transformation, and the immediacy of God’s Kingdom upon these inflexible structures would lead to catastrophe – the tearing apart of the old forms and the loss of the vibrant new truth.

This parable challenges listeners to assess their readiness to receive new revelation from God. It calls for spiritual flexibility and a heart renewed by the Spirit, willing to adapt and change, rather than cling to outdated practices or rigid interpretations that lack life. For practical application, this means recognizing that clinging to comfort zones, inherited traditions, or established routines (our 'wineskins') can prevent us from experiencing and sharing the fresh, dynamic movement of God's Spirit (His 'new wine'). We are called to be pliable, to have 'new wineskins' in our lives – a willingness to embrace new understandings, new practices, and new forms that emerge from the true Spirit of Christ.

• Example 1: A church structure focused entirely on maintaining human traditions (old wineskins) may resist dynamic, Spirit-led worship or outreach initiatives (new wine), potentially leading to stagnation or internal division.
• Example 2: An individual clinging to legalistic checklists for spiritual growth (old wineskin) might miss out on the freedom, joy, and transformative power of living by grace through faith (new wine).
• Example 3: Trying to fit the expansive global mission of Christ (new wine) into a rigid, culturally insulated approach (old wineskin) might limit its effectiveness or cause conflict.