Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #8

Thursday, September 19, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Again, re-read today’s Scripture and its companion passages of Mark 2:21-22 and Luke 5:36-39. The Lord told this “parable” or illustration in light of the Pharisees, their disciples, and John the Baptist’s disciples being obsessed with Old Testament legalistic practices (particularly fasting, their primary controversy with Jesus’ disciples). Such Old Covenant rituals are incompatible with New Covenant righteousness—the righteousness lost Israel cannot possess unless they have the New Covenant, the foundation of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7). As long as Israel is fanatical about religious works instead of Messiah, the nation is unable to be what the LORD God purposed it to be.

Old cloth patches should be paired with old garments, and new wine ought to be placed in new bottles. Why would Christ mention, of all things, garments and wine in these metaphors? To answer this, we must be proficient in the Word of God, recalling what has already been stated in other verses. Let us now think about the wine. In Judges 9:13, wine “cheereth God and man.” Over in John 2:1-11, at the wedding feast in Cana, they were without water (a type of the Word of God and the Spirit of God). Subsequent to filling the waterpots (symbolizing Israel) with water, the Lord Jesus miraculously turns the water into wine (grape juice). That wine or juice pictures the joy of the Holy Spirit (as in Galatians 5:22 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6). God cannot take an old bottle or wineskin, apostate Israel, and place the Holy Spirit (and His joy) within it. He can, however, take Israel’s believing remnant, justify these believing Jews, and give them the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-28; cf. Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 11:9-13).

The Old Covenant thus gives way to the New Covenant….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #7

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

If you must, dear friend, re-read today’s Scripture and its analogous passages of Mark 2:21-22 and Luke 5:36-39. The Lord spoke all these words, this “parable” or illustration, in conjunction with the Pharisees, their disciples, and John the Baptist’s disciples trapped in Old Testament legalistic practices (especially fasting, their main point of contention with Jesus’ disciples). Such Old Covenant rituals cannot be combined with New Covenant righteousness, which righteousness lost Israel lacks apart from the New Covenant that lies at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7). As long as Israel is fixated on religious works instead of Messiah, the nation cannot be what JEHOVAH God designed it to be.

Old cloth patches should be paired with old garments, and new wine ought to be placed in new bottles. Why would Christ mention, of all things, garments and wine in these metaphors? To answer this, we must be skilled in the Word of God, recalling what has already been stated in other verses. Consider the garments first. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). As with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21), physical clothes or garments are pictures or symbols of a “[spiritual] robe of righteousness.” Isaiah the Prophet foresees Israel’s New Covenant and kingdom restoration/salvation in the ages to come. A new cloth cannot be applied to an old garment, any more than righteousness can be applied to apostate or unbelieving Israel.

Let us now see how wine relates to this situation….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #6

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Considering the larger context of today’s Scripture, we discover how chapters 8 and 9 of Matthew radiate from chapters 5–7 (the Sermon on the Mount). Whereas the Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s Kingdom Constitution (God’s work with and through Israel in the ages to come), and chapters 8 and 9 contain 10 specific miracles to validate how the Lord Jesus can bring that kingdom restoration of Israel to pass, there are interspersed various references as to how Israel languishes in unbelief (a national refusal to leave behind her religious efforts or self-righteousness [the Old Covenant] and move on to kingdom righteousness [the New Covenant]). For example, see Israel’s unbelief in Matthew 8:10,12,20,33,34 and Matthew 9:3,4,11,13,14,24,33,34.

Go back to today’s Scripture and the two verses immediately preceding it: “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 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. 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. 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” (Matthew 9:14-17; cf. Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39).

The Pharisees, their disciples, and John’s disciples were trapped in Old Testament legalistic practices, but the Lord Jesus taught how Old Covenant rituals cannot be combined with New Covenant righteousness….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #5

Monday, September 16, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Today’s Scripture is in the context of the Lord and His disciples eating at Matthew’s (Levi’s) house, where many “publicans [tax collectors] and sinners [societal outcasts]” (presumably friends of Matthew/Levi) have assembled for a great feast (Matthew 9:10, Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29). The “scribes” (Hebrew Bible copyists and Mosaic-Law teachers) and “Pharisees” (conceited, self-righteous works-religionists and traditionalists in Judaism) “murmur” (complain) how Jesus and His disciples “eat with publicans and sinners,” a charge Christ eagerly answers (Matthew 9:11-13; Mark 2:16,17; Luke 5:30-32): “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance!”

During this large banquet, John the Baptist’s disciples also whined to Jesus. “Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” (Matthew 9:14). Mark 2:18 adds, “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast.” Luke 5:33 reports, “Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?” The Lord’s disciples should be fasting not eating (or so these detractors argue)!

Matthew 9:15 reads: “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.” See also Mark 2:19,20 and Luke 5:34,35. The Lord Jesus Christ is not dead yet, so His disciples have no reason to fast or be sad; they should be eating. At this point, He contends how it is improper to pair new (unshrunk) patches with old garments and new wine with old bottles (today’s Scripture; Mark 2:21,22; Luke 5:36-38). Luke 5:36 declares this is a “parable” (illustration or analogy). Christ’s critics need to move from Old Covenant ritualism to New Covenant righteousness….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #4

Sunday, September 15, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Read the verses prior to today’s Scripture: “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples…. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 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” (Matthew 9:10,14,15).

The parallel, Mark 2:15,18,19: “And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him…. And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”

Also, see Luke 5:29,33-35: “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them…. And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”

Let us tie it all together….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #3

Saturday, September 14, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

After issuing comments about using an old or shrunken woolen patch to repair a torn woolen garment (Matthew 9:16; cf. Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36), Christ then spoke on the subject of placing new wine in new bottles instead of old bottles. “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” (Matthew 9:17). “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). “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved” (Luke 5:37,38).

“Bottles” here are animal skins (especially the durable hides of goats) stretched and sewed together to form vessels with narrow necks and wide bases. Jews used them for storing or carrying liquids. In this case, they held “new wine,” or newly-pressed grape juice. “Old bottles” had traces of yeast organisms, so storing new wine would initiate fermentation. Gas bubbles are formed during the fermentation process, causing expansion of the bottle. Old wineskins would break open because they had hardened, whereas new wineskins would be elastic. It thus made more sense to place new wine in new bottles, keeping the juice fresh and sweet for an extended time. Again, like with the new and old fabrics, they were not to “mix and match” new wine with old bottles….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #2

Friday, September 13, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Firstly, what we need to know about the cultural setting of today’s Scripture is that, since the Jews were keepers of sheep, nearly all of their clothing was woolen. The “new cloth” and the “old garment” are made of wool. Re-read the verses. “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” (Matthew 9:16). “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse” (Mark 2:21). “And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old” (Luke 5:36).

Secondly, this is what else we should know about the background of today’s Scripture. The “new” woolen patch was an un-shrunk or unfinished cloth. Once attached to the old garment, the woolen patch would shrink, ripping the old garment to a greater extent than it was torn before—and the rent or tear would be made worse. Thus, they were not to “mix and match,” but rather use “old” (treated) patches for their torn clothing. As concerning apparel, new and old were incompatible. The Lord Jesus knew this, and pointed it out to His audience in order to teach them a lesson in the spiritual realm.

Moreover, to strengthen His argument, He switched topics from clothes and patches to wine and bottles….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #1

Thursday, September 12, 2024

“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. 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” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Observe the parallel, Mark 2:21,22: “[21] No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. [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.”

Now, look at the other parallel, Luke 5:36-39: “[36] And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. [37] And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. [38] But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. [39] No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.” (Note how verse 39 is unique to Luke’s Gospel Record. We will comment on this later.)

While the practices of attaching “new cloth” to an “old garment” and putting “new wine” in “new bottles” means practically nothing to us in our 21st-century, non-Jewish culture, Jesus’ audience clearly understood what He meant. In order to fully appreciate His words, we have to do some research, some study, some thinking, some acknowledgement of the context, and it will become quite obvious as to why He said what He did….

Brother’s Keeper? #8

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Dear brethren, we never, ever want to forget that the first homicide in the Bible was in the context of works-religion, an unbeliever (Cain) who was too arrogant to admit his sin problem and ready and willing to do anything and everything (even kill his believing brother, Abel) to make sure he did not have God’s messenger around to bother him with any “inconvenient” or “offensive” words from the LORD!

Only God knows how many millions of His people have lost their lives because of the work of the ministry throughout human history. Abel was the first martyr in that ancient battle, and this bitter religious war is still being waged today between God’s people (saints) and Satan’s people (sinners). Of course, there is still much more of this to come! “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (Revelation 17:6). This is the culmination of the false religious system that started with Adam, Eve, and Cain. It links to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, gives rise to apostate Judaism during Matthew to Acts, continues even now in world religions and denominations, and will go all the way through Daniel’s 70th Week up until Christ’s Second Coming when the Lord of Glory makes all things right.

Brethren, never, ever should it surprise or discourage us when people—even professing believers and lifelong church members—are uninterested in listening to us share Bible verses with them. Perhaps they will become so belligerent that violence against us will transpire. If we do happen to lose our physical lives along the way, so what, for we are indeed willing “to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). Until they do away with us as Cain did Abel, though, let us be our brother’s keeper—looking out for them who lack spiritual sense to know just how dire their situation is.

Brother’s Keeper? #5

Saturday, September 7, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Abel was a prophet, a messenger of the LORD God (Luke 11:50,51). Doubtless, he preached to his brother Cain how Cain’s “good works” were not enough to please the LORD. Of course, self-righteous Cain hated to hear that, for he had absolutely no interest in obeying God or believing anything He said. Cain therefore silenced Abel—just as Zacharias, Jesus, and members of the Little Flock throughout Matthew through John and Acts (namely, Stephen) all died at the hands of their works-religionist brethren.

By preaching the Word of God, Abel was looking out for his brother Cain. Cain’s spiritual wellbeing was at stake, and while he had no concern, his brother did. When God asked Cain regarding Abel’s whereabouts (today’s Scripture), Cain lied by stating he did not know—but not only that. Cain was actually callous enough to ask God a question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This was nothing more than a mockery of what family is supposed to be about. Essentially, Cain argued he was not his brother’s guardian or protector. “How am I responsible for knowing my brother’s location? I am not his babysitter!”

In the ages to come, we recognize how false religion will divide families and cause unbelievers to persecute the saints—even turning these their believing brethren over to the Antichrist’s government to face execution! Matthew chapter 10: “[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another…. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” See also John 15:17-25, James 2:14-26, 1 John 2:9-11, and 1 John 3:10-17.

We can gather even more data….