Mark 2:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
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 24
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μή
G3361
μή
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
αἴρει
taketh away
G142
αἴρει
taketh away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
13 of 24
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλήρωμα
that filled it up
G4138
πλήρωμα
that filled it up
Strong's:
G4138
Word #:
15 of 24
repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai
αὐτοῦ
from
G846
αὐτοῦ
from
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 24
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καινὸν
the new piece
G2537
καινὸν
the new piece
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
18 of 24
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χεῖρον
worse
G5501
χεῖρον
worse
Strong's:
G5501
Word #:
22 of 24
from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)
Cross References
Matthew 9:16No 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.1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.Isaiah 57:16For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
Historical Context
This parable addressed tension between Jesus' ministry and traditional Judaism. Pharisaic leaders expected Messiah to enforce stricter Torah observance, but Jesus proclaimed radical grace. Later, the early church struggled with this—Judaizers insisted Gentile converts must observe Mosaic law. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) clarified that faith in Christ, not law-keeping, justifies. The temple's destruction (AD 70) physically demonstrated the old covenant's obsolescence (Hebrews 8:13).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you attempt to patch new covenant freedom onto old covenant legalism?
- How does understanding the gospel's radical newness free you from trying to supplement Christ's work?
- What religious traditions might you be clinging to that obscure the gospel's transforming power?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus uses a parable contrasting old and new: 'No man seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment.' The 'new cloth' is unshrunk fabric that will contract when washed. Sewing it onto old, already-shrunk garment creates worse tear when the new cloth shrinks. This illustrates the incompatibility of Jesus' new covenant with old covenant forms. The new cloth represents the gospel kingdom Jesus inaugurates; the old garment represents Pharisaic Judaism. Jesus' message can't be patched onto the old system—it requires completely new wineskins. Reformed theology emphasizes the radical newness of new covenant—not mere reform but fulfillment and transformation.