Luke 5:39
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 5:39
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Chapter Context
Luke 5 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, wisdom, worship. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-39: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 5:39
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 6:16, Hebrews 11:39