Luke 5:39
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδεὶς
No man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
No man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
2 of 13
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
θέλει
desireth
G2309
θέλει
desireth
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
6 of 13
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
νέον·
new
G3501
νέον·
new
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
7 of 13
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:Jeremiah 6:16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism had developed extensive oral traditions (later codified as Mishnah and Talmud) interpreting Torah's application. These traditions—fasting practices, ritual purity laws, Sabbath regulations—had become so central that they often overshadowed Scripture itself. Jesus consistently challenged tradition's authority while affirming Torah's authority (Matthew 5:17-18), provoking conflict with religious leaders invested in the status quo.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'old wine' (comfortable traditions or familiar religious practices) might you be preferring over Jesus's challenging new covenant demands?
- How can church traditions become obstacles to embracing fresh moves of God's Spirit, and how do you discern between preserving truth and resisting change?
- In what ways does this verse challenge both religious traditionalism (preferring old) and novelty-seeking (rejecting old) by pointing to the substance of Christ Himself?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better—This final verse completes Jesus's parable about wineskins (5:36-39), adding a psychological observation missing from Matthew and Mark's accounts. The Greek eutheos (εὐθέως, straightway/immediately) emphasizes the instinctive preference: The old is better (ho palaios chrestos estin, ὁ παλαιὸς χρηστός ἐστιν)—literally "the old is good/pleasant."
Jesus diagnoses human resistance to the new covenant: people comfortable with old religious systems (Judaism's traditions) resist the gospel's newness not from theological evaluation but from habitual preference. The scribes and Pharisees questioning Jesus's disciples' practices (5:33) illustrated this: their objection wasn't that fasting is biblical but that Jesus's approach didn't match their traditions. The verse functions as both explanation (why the Pharisees resist Jesus) and warning (don't let tradition-preference blind you to God's new work). It anticipates later conflicts: Jesus healing on Sabbath (6:1-11), eating with sinners (15:1-2), and ultimately the Jewish leaders' rejection of Messiah despite prophetic fulfillment.