Matthew 9:16

Authorized King James Version

No 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
οὐδεὶς
G3762
No man
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#2
δὲ
G1161
but, and, etc
#3
ἐπιβάλλει
G1911
putteth
to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal
#4
ἐπίβλημα
G1915
a piece
a patch
#5
ῥάκους
G4470
cloth
a "rag," i.e., piece of cloth
#6
ἀγνάφου
G46
of new
properly, unfulled, i.e., (by implication) new (cloth)
#7
ἐπὶ
G1909
unto
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#8
ἱματίου
G2440
garment
a dress (inner or outer)
#9
παλαιῷ·
G3820
an old
antique, i.e., not recent, worn out
#10
αἴρει
G142
taketh
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
#11
γὰρ
G1063
for
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#12
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
πλήρωμα
G4138
that which is put in to fill it up
repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai
#14
αὐτοῦ
G846
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
#15
ἀπὸ
G575
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#16
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
ἱματίου
G2440
garment
a dress (inner or outer)
#18
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
χεῖρον
G5501
worse
from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)
#20
σχίσμα
G4978
the rent
a split or gap ("schism"), literally or figuratively
#21
γίνεται
G1096
is made
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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