Luke 5:36
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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἔλεγεν
he spake
G3004
Ἔλεγεν
he spake
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 32
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παραβολὴν
a parable
G3850
παραβολὴν
a parable
Strong's:
G3850
Word #:
4 of 32
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 32
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
G3754
Οὐδεὶς
No man
G3762
Οὐδεὶς
No man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
8 of 32
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
καινοῦ
of a new
G2537
καινοῦ
of a new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
11 of 32
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
ἐπιβάλλει
putteth
G1911
ἐπιβάλλει
putteth
Strong's:
G1911
Word #:
12 of 32
to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μήγε,
G3361
μήγε,
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
18 of 32
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καινοῦ
of a new
G2537
καινοῦ
of a new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
21 of 32
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συμφωνει
agreeth
G4856
συμφωνει
agreeth
Strong's:
G4856
Word #:
27 of 32
to be harmonious, i.e., (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
that was taken out of
G575
ἀπὸ
that was taken out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
30 of 32
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.Deuteronomy 22:11Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.Leviticus 19:19Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
Historical Context
Jewish leaders wanted to fit Jesus into existing system. Cannot be done. Christianity not reformed Judaism but new covenant. Mixing law grace produces hybrid that satisfies neither. Galatians Paul fights Judaizers wanting to add law to gospel. Mixture ruins both. Early church struggled with this Acts 15 Council affirmed Gentiles not under Torah. Reformation recovered this truth salvation by grace through faith apart from works. Cannot be half grace half works. Modern church sometimes mixes merit grace performance acceptance. Gospel is pure grace.
Questions for Reflection
- What does impossibility of patching old with new teach about incompatibility of law and grace?
- How does this parable warn against syncretism mixing gospel with other religious systems?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
No man puts piece of new garment upon old if otherwise then both new maketh rent and piece taken from new agrees not with old. Parable. Piece epiblema patch. New garment himatiou kainou new cloth. Upon old palaion. Both new and old ruined. New cloth shrinks tears old. Principle mixing old new systems incompatible. Cannot patch old covenant with new. New wine new wineskins required. Jesus teaching represents new paradigm not patch on Judaism. Gospel not add-on to law but fulfillment replacement. Reformed theology sees discontinuity between covenants. New covenant superior Hebrews 8. Cannot mix law grace works faith.