Mark 2:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 33
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 33
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
βάλλει
putteth
G906
βάλλει
putteth
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
3 of 33
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
νέον
new
G3501
νέον
new
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
5 of 33
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 33
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
μή
G3361
μή
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
11 of 33
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ῥήσσει
doth burst
G4486
ῥήσσει
doth burst
Strong's:
G4486
Word #:
12 of 33
to "break," "wreck" or "crack", i.e., (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; g2608 being its intensive (with the preposition in compositi
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νέον
new
G3501
νέον
new
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
16 of 33
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπόλοῦνται
will be marred
G622
ἀπόλοῦνται
will be marred
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
26 of 33
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
27 of 33
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
νέον
new
G3501
νέον
new
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
29 of 33
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
30 of 33
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Psalms 119:83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.Matthew 9:17Neither 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.Psalms 119:80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.Job 32:19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.Joshua 9:4They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;Joshua 9:13And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
Historical Context
Wine storage in first-century Palestine used leather wineskins from goats or sheep. Fresh skins were supple and expandable; aged skins became brittle. Jesus' teaching challenged the assumption that Messiah would simply restore old covenant Judaism. The early church's separation from Judaism (synagogue to church, Saturday to Sunday worship, circumcision to baptism) enacted this principle. Church history warns against fossilizing gospel structures into new legalism.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'old wineskins' might you be clinging to that prevent the Spirit's fresh work?
- How can the church honor biblical authority while remaining flexible in cultural methods?
- What traditions have you elevated to the same level as Scripture, and how does this hinder gospel ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus extends the new-versus-old contrast: 'No man putteth new wine into old bottles.' New wine, still fermenting, produces gas that expands containers. Old wineskins, already stretched, lack flexibility and burst under pressure. This illustrates the gospel's dynamic, transformative power that can't be contained in old covenant forms. The 'new wine' represents the Holy Spirit's energizing presence. The 'new bottles' represent new covenant structures—faith community not bound by ceremonial law but characterized by Spirit-indwelling, faith in Christ, and mission to all nations. Reformed theology emphasizes that the gospel creates new people requiring new forms.