Matthew 9:18
"Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”"
Key Reflection
In Matthew 9:18, Jesus uses a vivid agricultural analogy to convey an important principle about change and adaptation. The saying likens the newness of God’s teachings or miracles (new wine) to traditional practices or established ways of life (old wineskins). By suggesting that new wine should be placed in fresh skins, Jesus implies that old methods cannot contain or fully appreciate the novelty and power of his message without breaking down or being rendered ineffective. This analogy underscores the necessity of openness to change and the transformative nature of God’s work in people's lives.
Related Verses
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From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes