To group of John's followers after they asked about fasting.
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.
Matthew 9:17 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.
Neither do they pour fresh wine into used wineskins. If so, however, they burst by themselves, those skins, and the wine pours itself out, and the skins destroy themselves. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins and both are kept together.
Really new ideas are adopted only by the new generation.
οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς:
Neither do they pour wine fresh into wineskins used
εἰ δὲ μήγε, ῥήγνυνται οἱ ἀσκοί,
if, however, so they burst by themselves those skins
καὶ ὁ οἶνος ἐκχεῖται καὶ οἱ ἀσκοὶ ἀπόλλυνται:
and the wine pours itself out, and the skins demolish themselves.
ἀλλὰ βάλλουσινs οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς καινούς, καὶ ἀμφότεροι συντηροῦνται.
Instead , they pour wine new into wineskins new and both are kept together.
This verse provides a contrast to the previous verse Matthew 9:16, in a way that clarifies them both. These verses do not express the same idea but opposing but compatible ideas. The previous verse describes people do not do and why, while this verse describes people do and why. In comparing it to parallel verses in Mark 2:22 and Luke 5:37, it is much longer and more detailed.
"New wine" here is a parallel to the "patch of unfinished remnant" in the previous verse, Matthew 9:16. However, unlike the previous verse where the patch was described negatively, this wine isn't bad. It will, however, get better with age. Though the "new" here does mean "new" where it didn't in the previous verse, it still something unfinished. The "finishing" was the resurrection.
New wine skins are more elastic than old ones and can deal with the gas given off by new wine, which hasn't stopped fermenting. New skins can expand. Old ones have already been stretched out and become less pliable. Notice that in the previous verse, there is no similar comparison of new and old because the adjectives are applied to different things, not the same things.
Most of the verbs in this verse (except "put) re all either passive or the middle voice where the object acts on itself. This is clearly intentional since many would work in their active form.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "men" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "put" is not the common word usually translated as "put."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "bottles" should be something more like "skins."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The second word translated as "bottles" should be something more like "skins."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "break" is not an active verb but either a passive one or the middle voice.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "runneth out" is not an active verb but either a passive one or the middle voice.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The third word translated as "bottles" should be something more like "skins."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "put" is not the common word usually translated as "put."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "new" is not the previous word translated as "new."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The fourth word translated as "bottles" should be something more like "skins."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "one "doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "puts" is not the common word usually translated as "put."
- WN - Wrong Number- The verb "puts" is translated as singular but it is plural.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "puts" is not the common word usually translated as "put."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be something more like "else." or "if, however, not."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "would" indicates the future tense, but the tense is present.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "burst" is not an active verb but either a passive one or the middle voice.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "from the pressure" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "spilling" is not a participle but an active verb.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "ruining" is not a participle but an active verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- A second "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is the active voice not the passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "stored" should be something more like "toss" or "pour."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "new" is not the previous word translated as "new."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that"doesn't exist in the source.
Neither - "Neither" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor." It can also be translated as "not at all."
do -- This helping verb is used to create commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
men - -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "men" in the Greek source.
put - (CW) The word translated as "put" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." However, it also specifically means "pour" when applied to liquids. A related word was used in the previous verse with the sense of "tossed on."
new - The Greek word translated as "new" in this verse actually does mean "new," unlike the word translated as "new" in the previous verse (Matthew 9:16) which means "unfinished." "New" is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,"
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
into - The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction and "up to" limits in time and measure.
old - The word translated as "old" means old in years both in a good sense and a bad one. In a good sense, it means "venerable" and in a bad sense, "obsolete." It is the same term used to describe the clothing in the last verse. In the previous verse, the reference seems positive because the concern is for preserving the cloak. That is also a concern here: preserving the skins.
bottles: (WW) The term translated as "bottles" means "skins," and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used for wine used in Christ's time. The problem with updating the terms to bottles is that the analogy not longer works. The word also means "human skin" and is a clear metaphor for the container of ideas: human beings with minds.
else - The English word "else" comes from three Greek words. The first is usually translated as "if." express a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. The second is usually Greek word translated as "but," and joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. The third is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bottles - (WW) Again, the term translated as "bottles" means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used for wine used in Christ's time. The problem with updating the terms to bottles is that the analogy not longer works. Old bottles do not burst like old wineskins do. The word also means "human skin" and is a clear metaphor for the container of philosophy: human beings.
break, - (WF) The word translated as "break" means to "burst" or "break through," but it is not in the active form. The form is either passive, "are broken" or it denotes the subject being acted on by themselves: "they burst by themselves." The metaphor is for systems of thought that fall apart because they cannot adapt to new ideas.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." It is used in a series here.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
runneth out, - (WF) The Greek word translated as "runneth out" means "to pour out," and "spill," but it is a metaphor for "to be forgotten" and to be "overcome with emotion." Old philosophies are replaced, not updated because old believers are emotionally attached to the old ideas. Again, the form of the verb is something acting on itself, "pour out by themselves."
and - - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." It is used in a series here. This is where the "but also" part of the conjunction comes in.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bottles - (WW) Again, the term translated as "bottles" means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used as a metaphor here for followers of a philosophy.
perish: - The word translated as "perish" means to destroy or demolish, but it is not in the active form. The form is either passive, "are destroyed" or it the form indicates that they act on themselves, "they destroy themselves." Notice how the loss of these old skins in considered a waste as much as the loss of the new wine. This is different than the previous verse, where the only concern was the cloak.
but - The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. "Still" or "however" work well when the word isn't being used as a conjunction, especially when it begins a sentence.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
put - (CW) The word translated as "put" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss," but it also means "pour," which fits here.
new - The Greek word translated as "new" in this verse actually does mean "new," unlike the word translated as "new" in the previous verse (Matthew 9:16) which means "unfinished." It is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,"
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
into - The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction and "up to" limits in time and measure.
new -- (CW) The word translated as "new" to describe the wine skins is different than that used to describe the wine. Many of their meanings overlap, but this word also means "of a new kind." It is chosen because the wineskins are a metaphor for Christ's followers, who are not just newly made but of a new kind.
bottles, - (WW) Again, the term translated as "bottles" means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used as a metaphor here for followers of a philosophy.
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
both - The word translated as "both" means "both sides" and "both ways" as well as "both together." It is chosen because unlike the common word for "both," it implies two different ways or sides together. Note that the "both" means the new wine and the new wineskins. The ideas could be
are - -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preserved. -- The word translated as "preserved" means "to keep" and "to maintain," but it also means "to observe strictly," referring again, to philosophies. It literally means "keep together." This is the only time Jesus uses thise word.
And - - (WW) "Neither" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor." It can also be translated as "not at all."
no -- This is from the negative part of the previous word.
one -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "one" in the Greek source.
puts - (CW, WN) The word translated as "put" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." However, it also specifically means "pour" when applied to liquids. A related word was used in the previous verse with the sense of "tossed on." The vers is plural, not singular.
new - The Greek word translated as "new" in this verse actually does mean "new," unlike the word translated as "new" in the previous verse (Matthew 9:16) which means "unfinished." "New" is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,"
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
into - The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction and "up to" limits in time and measure.
old - The word translated as "old" means old in years both in a good sense and a bad one. In a good sense, it means "venerable" and in a bad sense, "obsolete." It is the same term used to describe the clothing in the last verse. In the previous verse, the reference seems positive because the concern is for preserving the cloak. That is also a concern here: preserving the skins.
wineskins: -- The term translated as "wineskins" means "skins," and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used for wine used in Christ's time. The problem with updating the terms to bottles is that the analogy not longer works. The word also means "human skin" and is a clear metaphor for the container of ideas: human beings with minds.
For - (CW) The English word "else" comes from three Greek words. The first is usually translated as "if." express a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. The second is usually Greek word translated as "but," and joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. The third is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
skins - (Again, the term translated as "skins " means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used for wine used in Christ's time. The problem with updating the terms to bottles is that the analogy not longer works. Old bottles do not burst like old wineskins do. The word also means "human skin" and is a clear metaphor for the container of philosophy: human beings.
would --(WT) This helping verb "would" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
burst , - (WF) The word translated as "burst " means to "burst" or "break through," but it is not in the active form. The form is either passive, "are broken" or it denotes the subject being acted on by themselves: "they burst by themselves." The metaphor is for systems of thought that fall apart because they cannot adapt to new ideas.
from the pressure, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "from the pressure," in the Greek source.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." It is used in a series here.
spilling - (WF) The Greek word translated as "spilling out" means "to pour out," and "spill," but it is a metaphor for "to be forgotten" and to be "overcome with emotion." Old philosophies are replaced, not updated because old believers are emotionally attached to the old ideas. It is not a participle. The form is either passive, "are poured out" or it denotes the subject being acted on by themselves: "they pour out by themselves."
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
and - - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." It is used in a series here. This is where the "but also" part of the conjunction comes in.
ruining - (WF) The word translated as "ruining " means to destroy or demolish, but it is not a particle. . The form is either passive, "are destroyed" or it the form indicates that they act on themselves, "they destroy themselves." Notice how the loss of these old skins in considered a waste as much as the loss of the new wine. This is different than the previous verse, where the only concern was the cloak.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
skins - Again, the term translated as "skins" means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used as a metaphor here for followers of a philosophy.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. "Still" or "however" work well when the word isn't being used as a conjunction, especially when it begins a sentence.
New - The Greek word translated as "new" in this verse actually does mean "new," unlike the word translated as "new" in the previous verse (Matthew 9:16) which means "unfinished." It is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,"
wine - The word translated as "wine" means "wine" or any fermented juice.
is -- (WV) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. The verb is not passive.
stored - (WW) The word translated as "stored" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss," but it also means "pour," which fits here.
in - The word translated as "in" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction and "up to" limits in time and measure.
new -- (CW) The word translated as "new" to describe the wine skins is different than that used to describe the wine. Many of their meanings overlap, but this word also means "of a new kind." It is chosen because the wineskins are a metaphor for Christ's followers, who are not just newly made but of a new kind.
wineskins, - The term translated as "wineskins" means "skins, and describes the leather containers, wine skins, used as a metaphor here for followers of a philosophy.
so -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "so" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
that -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source.
both - The word translated as "both" means "both sides" and "both ways" as well as "both together." It is chosen because unlike the common word for "both," it implies two different ways or sides together. Note that the "both" means the new wine and the new wineskins. The ideas could be
are - -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preserved. -- he word translated as "preserved" means "to keep" and "to maintain," but it also means "to observe strictly," referring again, to philosophies.
οὐδὲ (adv/conj) "Neither" is from oude , which means "but not," "neither," "nor,"and "not even." As an adverb, it meams "not at all" and "not even."
βάλλουσιν (3rd pl pres ind act) "Do men put" is from ballo, which means "to throw," "to let fall," "to cast," "to put," "to pour," "to place money on deposit," "push forward or in front [of animals]," "to shed," "to place," "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky," "to fall," "to lay as foundation," "to begin to form," "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."
οἶνον (noun sg neut acc ) "Wine" is from oinos, which means "wine" and "fermented juice of any kind."
νέον (adj sg neut acc) "New" is from neos, which means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,." and as an adverb of time, "lately," "just now," "anew," and "afresh,"
εἰς (prep) "Into" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
ἀσκοὺς [4 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Bottles" is askos, which means "skin," "hide," "skin made into a bag," "wineskin," "belly," "paunch," and "human skin."
παλαιούς: [8 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Old" is from palaios, which means "old in years," "ancient," (in a good sense) "venerable," "held in esteem," (in a bad way) "antiquated," "obsolete," and "in an old way."
εἰ (conj) "Else" is ei, (with de mege below) which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever."
δὲ (conj) "Else" is (with ei above and mege below), which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
μήγε, (particle) "Else" is mege, "Else" is ei, (with ie de above) which is a contraction of me ge. The me is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The ge is an emphatic particle meaning "at least" and "indeed." It emphasizes the word to which it is associated.
ῥήγνυνται [4 verses](3rd pl pres ind mp) "Break" is from rhegnumi, which means to "break asunder," "rend," "shatter," "break through," and, in the passive, to "break," "break asunder," "burst,""break forth."
οἱ (article pl masc nom ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀσκοί, [4 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Bottles" is from askos, which means "skin," "hide," "skin made into a bag," "wineskin," "belly," "paunch," and "human skin."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." --
ὁ (article sg masc nom ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οἶνος (noun sg masc nom ) "Wine" is from oinos, which means "wine" and "fermented juice of any kind."
ἐκχεῖται [8 verses](sg pres ind mp) "Runneth out" is ekcheo, which means to "pour out," "pour away," " spill," "squander," "waste," "spread out," "throw down," and, as a metaphor, "to be cast away," "forgotten," "give oneself up to any emotion," and "to be overjoyed."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." --
οἱ (article pl masc nom)) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀσκοὶ [4 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Bottles" is from askos, which means "skin," "hide," "skin made into a bag," "wineskin," "belly," "paunch," and "human skin."
ἀπόλλυνται: (3rd pl pres ind mp) "Perish" is from apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose," "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone."
ἀλλὰ (adv/conj) "But" is from alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay." It is a form of the word "other."
βάλλουσιν (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "They put" is from ballo, which means "to throw," "to let fall," "to cast," "to put," "to pour," "to place money on deposit," "push forward or in front [of animals]," "to shed," "to place," "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky," "to fall," "to lay as foundation," "to begin to form," "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."
οἶνον (noun sg neut acc) "Wine" is from oinos, which means "wine" and "fermented juice of any kind."
νέον [8 verses](adj sg neut acc) "New" is neos, which means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,." and as an adverb of time, "lately," "just now," "anew," and "afresh,"
εἰς (prep) "Into" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
ἀσκοὺς (noun pl masc acc) "Bottles" is from askos, which means "skin," "hide," "skin made into a bag," "wineskin," "belly," "paunch," and "human skin."
καινούς, [9 verses](adj pl masc acc) "New" is kainos, which means "new," "fresh," "newly made," "newly invented," and "novel."
καὶ (conj)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." --
ἀμφότεροι (adj pl masc nom ) "Both" is from amphoteroi, which means "either," "both of two," "both together," "towards both sides," "both ways," "on both sides," and "all together."
συντηροῦνται [1 verse](3rd pl pres ind mp) "Are preserved" comes from syntereo, which means to "keep", "preserve", "maintain", "observe strictly", "watch one's opportunity", "watch over," and "protect." It literally means "keep together."
The words here refer both to wine and to philosophy, for which it is a metaphor.
The word used for "wine skins," but it also means "human skin," representing people who follow a philosophy.
The word translated as "pour out" also means "to be overcome by emotion" as emotions pours out of people.
The word translated as "new" when applied to wine skins (but not the wine) means "of a new kind," referring to the new followers.
The word translated as "both" refers to "both sides" referring to Christianity and Judaism.
The word translated as "are preserved" also means "to observe strictly," referring again, to both religions.
“We don’t wear cloth,” Joseph responded. “We wear skins.”
“Neither do they pour fresh wine into used skins.” observed the Master.
What happens if they do?” asked Brother John.
“If, however...” the Master started saying.
“We don’t drink wine either,“ pointed out Joseph, interrupting.
“No, indeed,” agreed the Master.
“You do wear leather though,” Rocky noted. “It’s another metaphor.”
What happens if they do?” repeated Brother John.
“The skins burst themselves,” the Master continued. “And not only does the wine pour itself out, but the skins also demolish themselves.”
“So it the wine is analogy for new ideas,” suggested Andrew, working it out.
“What do wine makers do instead?” asked Brother John.
“Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins,” the Master finished, indicating his disciples. “so both are preserved.