What does Luke 5:37 mean?

Explanation

Luke 5:37 conveys the wisdom of Jesus Christ through a metaphor that contrasts the old and the new, both literally and metaphorically.

In this passage, "new wine" symbolizes new teachings and new ways of understanding spirituality that Jesus was bringing forth, while "old bottles," often made of animal skins that would become brittle over time, represent the old traditions and rigid structures of Jewish law and Pharisaical practices.

The literal meaning is clear; putting new wine into old, inelastic wine skins would cause them to burst due to fermentation gases, as new wine expands when it continues to ferment.

Metaphorically, Jesus is suggesting that his new teachings cannot be contained within the rigid structure of old practices and that trying to do so would not only be futile but also destructive to both the new teachings (the wine) and the old practices (the bottles).

Historical Context

At the time of this teaching, Jesus was responding to questions about fasting practices.

His audience comprised mainly of Jews, including the Pharisees, who were strictly adherent to old Jewish laws and customs.

These laws and customs were deeply entrenched in the society, with rituals, dietary laws, and a system of sacrifices that were integral to the Jewish faith.

In the cultural context, wine was stored in wineskins made from animal hides, which would stretch and become brittle as they aged.

New wine was still fermenting, so placing it in an old wine skin that could not stretch would lead to rupture as the fermentation gases expanded.

Jesus used this imagery familiar to His audience to make a broader spiritual point.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is often interpreted in various ways.

Some see it as an illustration of the incompatibility of the Old Covenant, characterized by the Law of Moses, with the New Covenant, which is characterized by grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

Others may interpret it as a more general warning against combining new, dynamic life and teaching with old, dead forms and rituals.

Different denominations may focus on various aspects of this teaching. For example, Pentecostals might emphasize the need for new, fresh experiences with the Holy Spirit, while more traditional churches might see it as a caution against haphazard changes to liturgy or doctrine.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can be interpreted as a call to be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, particularly in the context of faith and spirituality.

It encourages individuals not to be rigid in their beliefs but instead be willing to grow and adapt as they learn new truths.

It also serves as advice for transitioning from old habits to new, positive ones without clinging to the past in a way that might hinder personal growth.

Cross-References

• Matthew 9:17: "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."
• Mark 2:22: "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."
• Hebrews 8:13: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.

Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

• Jeremiah 31:31-32: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers..."

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text of this verse is "οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς" (oinon neon eis askous palaious), which directly translates to "new wine into old wineskins".

The term "νέον" (neon) which means "new" signifies something fresh or unused, while "παλαιούς" (palaious) means "old" or "aged". This stark contrast in terms illustrates the incompatibility of the two components.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The use of wine and wineskins in teachings was not unique to Jesus.

Wine was a common element in daily life and religious ceremonies across various cultures.

The idea of not mixing old and new can be found implicitly in many cultural proverbs and sayings, signifying wisdom about acknowledging and respecting the difference between traditions and innovations.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, the fermentation process that Jesus refers to is well-understood.

The sugars in grape juice are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast cells, and the resulting gas can indeed cause pressure to build up in a sealed container.

Modern winemaking uses rigid bottles that can withstand this pressure, but the ancient wineskins had a limited ability to do so, hence the relevance and accuracy of Jesus' metaphor.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 5:37 often emphasize the transition from the Old to the New Covenant, highlighting Jesus' role in introducing a transformative way of relating to God.

Matthew Henry's Commentary, for example, sees it as a representation of the unsuitability of the Pharisees' rigid adherence to the law with the freedom of the gospel.

The Pulpit Commentary interprets the verse as an admonishment that moral and religious life cannot be conducted successfully under worn-out forms and antiquated systems.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary also suggests that the "new wine" requires new regulations and expands on the idea that old ways must be renewed to accommodate new growth and life in the believer's journey.