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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 5:39 And no one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/5-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/42_Luk_05_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 5:39 - The Patches and the Wineskins" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And no one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, 'The old is better.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for he says, 'The old is better.'" <a href="/kjv/luke/5.htm">King James Bible</a> No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. <a href="/nkjv/luke/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/luke/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And no one, after drinking old wine wants new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’” <a href="/nasb/luke/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, &#8216The old is good enough.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/luke/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” <a href="/lsb/luke/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” <a href="/amp/luke/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’” <a href="/csb/luke/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” <a href="/hcsb/luke/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, The old is better.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/asv/luke/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And no man having drunk old wine desireth new; for he saith, The old is good. <a href="/cev/luke/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. They say, "The old wine is better." <a href="/erv/luke/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And no man having drunk old wine desireth new: for he saith, The old is good. <a href="/gwt/luke/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "No one who has been drinking old wine wants new wine. He says, 'The old wine is better!'" <a href="/gnt/luke/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> And you don't want new wine after drinking old wine. 'The old is better,' you say." <a href="/isv/luke/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> No one who has been drinking old wine wants new wine, because he says, 'The old wine is good enough!'" <a href="/msb/luke/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And no one after drinking old wine immediately wants new, for he says, ?The old is better.?? <a href="/net/luke/5.htm">NET Bible</a> No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is good enough.'" <a href="/nheb/luke/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> No one having drunk old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'" <a href="/wbt/luke/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> No man also having drank old wine, immediately desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. <a href="/wey/luke/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nor does any one after drinking old wine wish for new; for he says, 'The old is better.'" <a href="/web/luke/5.htm">World English Bible</a> No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and no one having drunk old, immediately wishes new, for he says, The old is better.” <a href="/blb/luke/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And no one having drunk old wine desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'" <a href="/ylt/luke/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and no one having drunk old wine, doth immediately wish new, for he saith, The old is better.' <a href="/slt/luke/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And none drinking old, quickly desires new, for he says, The old is better.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And no man drinking old, hath presently a mind to new: for he saith, The old is better. <a href="/cpdv/luke/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And no one who is drinking the old, soon wishes for the new. For he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” <a href="/nabre/luke/5.htm">New American Bible</a> [And] no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ” <a href="/nrsvce/luke/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, ‘The old is good.’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And no man drinks old wine, and immediately wants new wine; for he says, The old is delicious. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And no man drinks old wine and at once desires the new, for he says, “The old is sweet.” <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And no one, after drinking old wine, immediately desires new; for he says: The old is better. <a href="/godbey/luke/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>No one drinking the old immediately wishes the new; for he says, The old is better.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And no man drinking old wine, immediately desires new: for he saith, The old is better.<CM> <a href="/mace/luke/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> so no-body that has been drinking old wine, will immediately call for new: for 'tis his maxim, "the old is best." <a href="/wey/luke/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nor does any one after drinking old wine wish for new; for he says, 'The old is better.'" <a href="/worrell/luke/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And no one, having drunk old wine, wishes new; for he says, 'The old is mellow.'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And no one that has been drinking old <Fr>wine,<FR> immediately desireth new; for he saith, the old is better.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/5-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=2058" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/5.htm">The Patches and the Wineskins</a> …38Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins. 39<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">no one</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: piōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">after drinking</a> <a href="/greek/3820.htm" title="3820: palaion (Adj-AMS) -- Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out.">old wine</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelei (V-PIA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wants</a> <a href="/greek/3501.htm" title="3501: neon (Adj-AMS) -- (a) young, youthful, (b) new, fresh. ">new,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">he says,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">‘The</a> <a href="/greek/3820.htm" title="3820: palaios (Adj-NMS) -- Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out.">old</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/5543.htm" title="5543: chrēstos (Adj-NMS) -- Useful, gentle, pleasant, kind. From chraomai; employed, i.e. useful.">better.’”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/9-17.htm">Matthew 9:17</a> Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” <a href="/mark/2-22.htm">Mark 2:22</a> And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.” <a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ <a href="/hebrews/8-13.htm">Hebrews 8:13</a> By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a> Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Isaiah 43:18-19</a> “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. / Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a> But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. <a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31</a> Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? <a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a> For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation. <a href="/isaiah/65-8.htm">Isaiah 65:8</a> This is what the LORD says: “As the new wine is found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all. <a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Colossians 3:9-10</a> Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, / and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ... <a href="/ephesians/4-22.htm">Ephesians 4:22-24</a> to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. <a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Isaiah 42:9</a> Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>No man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he said, The old is better.<a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.<a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7-13</a> Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men… <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11,12</a> And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/14-21.htm">Better</a> <a href="/mark/15-9.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/mark/10-44.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/mark/9-35.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/mark/14-23.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/luke/5-33.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/luke/3-14.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/luke/5-38.htm">Fresh</a> <a href="/luke/5-32.htm">Good</a> <a href="/luke/5-25.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/luke/5-38.htm">New</a> <a href="/luke/5-13.htm">Straightway</a> <a href="/mark/10-44.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/luke/5-38.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/luke/5-38.htm">Wineskins</a> <a href="/luke/4-6.htm">Wish</a> <a href="/mark/10-44.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/10-12.htm">Better</a> <a href="/luke/8-38.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/luke/14-32.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/luke/13-26.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/luke/7-6.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/james/3-11.htm">Fresh</a> <a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Good</a> <a href="/luke/6-49.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/luke/6-1.htm">New</a> <a href="/luke/6-49.htm">Straightway</a> <a href="/luke/9-24.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/joshua/9-4.htm">Wineskins</a> <a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Wish</a> <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 5</div>1. <a href="/luke/5-1.htm">Jesus teaches the people out of Peter's ship;</a> 4. <a href="/luke/5-4.htm">shows how he will make them fishers of men;</a> 12. <a href="/luke/5-12.htm">cleanses the leper;</a> 16. <a href="/luke/5-16.htm">prays in the desert;</a> 17. <a href="/luke/5-17.htm">heals a paralytic;</a> 27. <a href="/luke/5-27.htm">calls Matthew the tax collector;</a> 29. <a href="/luke/5-29.htm">eats with sinners, as being the physician of souls;</a> 33. <a href="/luke/5-33.htm">foretells the fasting and afflictions of the apostles after his ascension;</a> 36. <a href="/luke/5-36.htm">and illustrates the matter by the parable of patches.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And no one after drinking old wine wants new This phrase highlights the natural human tendency to prefer what is familiar and established over what is new and untested. In the context of Jesus' ministry, this can be seen as a metaphor for the resistance of the Jewish leaders and people to the new covenant He was introducing. The old wine represents the established traditions and laws of Judaism, which many were reluctant to leave behind. This resistance is echoed in other parts of the Gospels, such as when Jesus speaks of the difficulty of putting new wine into old wineskins (<a href="/luke/5-37.htm">Luke 5:37-38</a>). The imagery of wine is significant in Jewish culture, where wine is a symbol of joy and blessing, often used in religious ceremonies and celebrations.for he says, ‘The old is better.’” This statement reflects the common belief that aged wine is superior to new wine, a sentiment that would have been well understood in the ancient world. It underscores the challenge Jesus faced in introducing His new teachings and the kingdom of God. The preference for the "old" can be seen as a metaphor for the comfort found in the Mosaic Law and the traditions of the elders, which were deeply ingrained in Jewish society. This resistance to change is a recurring theme in the New Testament, as seen in the opposition Jesus faced from the Pharisees and other religious leaders (<a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Matthew 9:14-17</a>, <a href="/mark/2-18.htm">Mark 2:18-22</a>). The phrase also invites reflection on the nature of spiritual renewal and the openness required to embrace the transformative work of Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, delivering a parable to illustrate a spiritual truth. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a> Religious leaders who often challenged Jesus and His teachings, representing the old ways of the law. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples_of_john_the_baptist.htm">Disciples of John the Baptist</a> Mentioned earlier in the chapter, they were part of the audience Jesus addressed, representing those who were open to new teachings. 4. <a href="/topical/o/old_wine_and_new_wine.htm">Old Wine and New Wine</a> Metaphors used by Jesus to contrast the old covenant (law) with the new covenant (grace). 5. <a href="/topical/p/parable_setting.htm">Parable Setting</a> This teaching occurs during a discussion about fasting, highlighting the tension between old religious practices and the new way Jesus was introducing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_old_and_new_covenants.htm">Understanding the Old and New Covenants</a> The old wine represents the law and traditions, while the new wine symbolizes the grace and truth brought by Jesus. Believers are called to embrace the new covenant. <a href="/topical/r/resistance_to_change.htm">Resistance to Change</a> Human nature often prefers the familiar. This passage challenges believers to be open to the transformative work of Christ, even when it disrupts comfort zones. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_renewal.htm">Spiritual Renewal</a> Just as new wine requires new wineskins, spiritual renewal requires a new heart and mindset. Believers should seek continual renewal through the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_tradition.htm">Discernment in Tradition</a> While traditions can be valuable, they should not hinder the work of the Spirit. Evaluate traditions in light of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/e/embracing_the_new_life_in_christ.htm">Embracing the New Life in Christ</a> The new life in Christ is superior to the old ways of living. Believers are encouraged to fully embrace their identity in Christ and live out the new covenant.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 5</a> <a href="/q/can_christians_sell_alcohol_or_tobacco.htm">Is it appropriate for Christians to sell alcohol or tobacco?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_first_gospel_written.htm">Was Jesus considered a Nazirite?</a> <a href="/q/does_psalm_39_7_dismiss_science.htm">Psalm 39:7 - When David looks only to God for hope, does this dismiss practical or scientific solutions?</a> <a href="/q/christian_view_on_wine.htm">What is the Christian Perspective on drinking wine?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) No man also having drunk old wine.--This addition is peculiar to St. Luke, and calls accordingly for distinct notice. The interpretation of the imagery is not far to seek. The old wine is the principle--in spiritual things, the religion--that animated the man's former life. In relation to those immediately addressed, it represented the motive-power of the Law in its rigid and Pharisaic form. The new wine, as in the Notes on the previous parables, is the freer, nobler, life-power of the gospel. It was not to be wondered at that men accustomed to the older system should be unwilling to embrace the new, as thinking it stronger and more potent than they could bear. The words are spoken in a tone of something like a tolerant pity for the prejudices of age and custom.The old is better.--The better MSS. give simply "the old is good," the adjective partly implying the sense of "mild." It is not the same as the "good wine" of the miracle at Cana (<a href="/john/2-10.htm" title="And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.">John 2:10</a>). It is doubtful, indeed, whether the Jews attached the same value that we do to the mellowed flavour given to wine by age. New or sweet wine, drunk within a year or so of fermentation, would seem to have been the favourite delicacy (<a href="/nehemiah/10-39.htm" title="For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, to the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.">Nehemiah 10:39</a>; <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm" title="So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.">Proverbs 3:10</a>; <a href="/hosea/4-11.htm" title="Prostitution and wine and new wine take away the heart.">Hosea 4:11</a>; <a href="/haggai/1-11.htm" title="And I called for a drought on the land, and on the mountains, and on the corn, and on the new wine, and on the oil, and on that which the ground brings forth, and on men, and on cattle, and on all the labor of the hands.">Haggai 1:11</a>, et al.), though men of weak constitutions might shrink from its effects, as the Pharisees were shrinking from the freedom of which our Lord set the example. Not altogether without significance, as bearing on this passage, is the fact recorded by St. Luke (<a href="/acts/2-13.htm" title="Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.">Acts 2:13</a>), that the first workings of the Pentecostal gift led men to speak of the disciples as "full of new wine." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 39. - No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. St. Luke alone of the first three evangelists who related in detail this most important reply of Jesus when the disciples of John and the Pharisees came to question him, adds this curious simile. The meaning of the parable-pictures of the new patch being sewn on an old garment, and of new wine being poured into worn-out, decaying wine-skins, was very plain. Pitilessly severe it would ring in the ears of men brought up in the old rabbinic Jewish schools. The two first evangelists, conscious of the truth of their Master's words, were content to leave the stern teaching, which pronounced the old state of things among the religious Jews as utterly worn-out, in all its naked severity. But Paul, under whose guidance we believe Luke wrote his Gospel, with that tender and considerate love which so beautifies the earnest and impassioned nature of the apostle of the Gentiles, knew that Jesus had added a few words to the two seemingly harsh parables; these he bade Luke carefully insert in his narrative. They contain what may be termed an almost playful apology for the slowness and reluctance of the men trained in the rabbinic schools, or even of the pupils of John the Baptist, to accept the new, broad, generous view of truth which he (Jesus) was putting forth - it was an apology for a slowness and reluctance, shading too often into unveiled dislike and open hostility. (What experience Paul and Luke must have had of this hostility!) The Master, in his Divine wisdom, knew how hard it was to forsake long-cherished prejudices. Time must be given, allowance must be made, harsh judgment must be deprecated. These men, trained in the old system, are here compared to guests who, after the banquet, are suddenly asked to change the old wine, mellowed by age, of which they have been drinking, for new sweet wine. This new wine seems, in those days, generally to have been considered preferable, but to men who had been drinking the old, age-softened vintage, the new would seem fiery and even harsh. The Greek word rendered in the Authorized Version "better," in the older authorities is positive instead of comparative. The translation should therefore run," the old is good." The argument would be the same: Why change what we have been drinking for something new? surely the old wine is good? Such passages as <a href="/nehemiah/10-35.htm">Nehemiah 10:35</a>; <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm">Proverbs 3:10</a>; <a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a>; <a href="/haggai/1-11.htm">Haggai 1:11</a>, bear out the above statement, that in those days, among the Jews of Syria, Palestine, and the adjacent countries, new sweet wine was a favourite beverage among wine-drinkers. <a href="/commentaries/luke/5-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. no one οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. after drinking πιὼν (piōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe. old [wine ] παλαιὸν (palaion) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out. wants θέλει (thelei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. new, νέον (neon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3501.htm">Strong's 3501: </a> (a) young, youthful, (b) new, fresh. for γάρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. he says, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘The Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. old παλαιὸς (palaios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. better.’” χρηστός (chrēstos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5543.htm">Strong's 5543: </a> Useful, gentle, pleasant, kind. From chraomai; employed, i.e. useful. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/5-39.htm">Luke 5:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/5-39.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 5:39 No man having drunk old wine immediately (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/5-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 5:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 5:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/6-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 6:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 6:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>