Reference

Luke 5:37

Annihilation / Destruction Destruction / Perishing Language Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.”

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Annihilation / Destruction

The verse uses an analogy of wine and bottles, not explicitly referring to the wicked or judgment. The "perishing" of the bottles is a consequence of a practical incompatibility, not a divine judgment on the bottles themselves.

Destruction / Perishing Language

The verse uses "perish" in reference to bottles, not the wicked, and the context is about the incompatibility of new and old practices, not the fate of individuals.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

The verse explicitly states "new wine" and "old bottles." The bursting of the bottles is due to the fermentation process of new wine, which would produce gases and pressure that old, rigid wineskins could not withstand. This implies that the "new wine" is indeed fermenting, or at least has the potential to ferment, and is not simply grape juice. The symbolic meaning of the passage (new teachings/covenant vs. old traditions) relies on the literal properties of fermenting wine.

Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

The verse only mentions "new wine" and "old bottles," without any reference to "strong drink" or any other type of beverage. Therefore, it cannot be used to distinguish between wine and strong drink.

Annihilation / Destruction

Cross-References

Joshua 9:13Thematic

“And 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.”

Psalms 119:83Thematic

“For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.”

Joshua 9:4Thematic

“They 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;”

Mark 2:22Thematic

“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.”