The Parables of the Skins Filled With Wine, often referred to as the Parable of the New Wine in Old Wineskins, are found in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, and Luke 5:37-38. These parables are part of a larger discourse where Jesus addresses questions about fasting and the nature of His ministry. The imagery of wine and wineskins serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of the Gospel and the new covenant brought forth by Jesus Christ.

Biblical Texts:

· Matthew 9:17 : "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

· Mark 2:22 : "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins."

· Luke 5:37-38 : "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine must be poured into new wineskins."

Context and Interpretation:

The parables are set within the context of Jesus' ministry, where He is questioned about the practices of His disciples, particularly regarding fasting. The religious leaders and followers of John the Baptist observed traditional fasting, while Jesus' disciples did not. In response, Jesus uses the metaphor of wineskins to illustrate the incompatibility of the old religious system with the new life and teachings He brings.

Symbolism:

· New Wine: Represents the new covenant, the Gospel, and the transformative teachings of Jesus. It signifies the fresh, dynamic, and life-giving nature of Christ's message, which cannot be contained within the old structures of Judaism.

· Old Wineskins: Symbolize the old covenant, the established religious practices, and the rigid structures of the Pharisaic traditions. These are unable to accommodate the newness and expansiveness of the Gospel.

· New Wineskins: Denote the new structures, hearts, and minds that are receptive to the teachings of Jesus. They represent the need for renewal and transformation to fully embrace the message of Christ.

Theological Implications:

The parables emphasize the necessity of spiritual renewal and the readiness to accept the new covenant. They highlight the transformative power of Jesus' ministry, which calls for a departure from mere ritualistic observance to a vibrant, living faith. The imagery underscores the idea that the Gospel cannot be confined within the old legalistic frameworks but requires a new approach characterized by grace, faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Application:

For believers, the parables serve as a reminder of the importance of being open to the work of the Holy Spirit and the continual renewal of the mind and heart. They challenge Christians to evaluate their own spiritual practices and to ensure that they are not merely adhering to tradition but are actively engaging with the living and active Word of God. The parables call for a dynamic faith that is adaptable and responsive to the leading of Christ in every aspect of life.Jeremiah 13:12-14
Therefore you shall speak to them this word; Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say to you, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
Nave's Topical Index

The Poet.
... house-candle, the house-mill, the wine skins, the ornaments ... by that of his metaphors,
similes, and parables. ... this people, "Every jar shall be filled with wine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture ii the poet.htm

The Publicans' Friend
... an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up ... Jesus adds two similes, which
are condensed parables, to deal ... new wine poured into stiff old skins, is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the publicans friend.htm

B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11
... and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear ... of his love; they were moreover
parables of his ... And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second period chs.htm

The Kingdom of God: Its Values
... These parables were spoken out of his own experience ... they put new wine into fresh
wine-skins."Mark 2 ... and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter iv the kingdom of.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Churches, seats in (apparently an exception), [858]296; of withdrawing from, during
service; by whom filled on Festival days, [859]311; building of, [860]488. ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... In parables there are two things to be taken notice of ... word it, and say, Be thou
warmed and filled with the ... about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being destitute ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... takes more care, as appears there by three parables, for the ... His wine was for him,
his oil was for him, his ... to come in, that my house may be filled;" Luke 14:18 ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... takes more care, as appears there by three parables, for the ... His wine was for him,
his oil was for him, his ... to come in, that my house may be filled' (Luke 14:18 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the other: "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service
of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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