Reference

Luke 5:38

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

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

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.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

The verse explicitly states "new wine" (οἶνον νέον - oinon neon), which in ancient contexts typically referred to grape juice that had begun or was about to begin fermentation, or was in the early stages of fermentation. While the verse uses wine symbolically, the symbolism is based on the *properties* of new wine, which include its active fermentation and potential to burst old wineskins. This property is not characteristic of unfermented grape juice that remains unfermented. The "new bottles"

Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

The verse makes no mention of "strong drink" at all, focusing solely on the concept of "new wine" and its appropriate storage. Therefore, it cannot distinguish between wine and strong drink as different substances.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

Related Verses

Luke 5:37

“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.”

Luke 5:39

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

Luke 5:36

“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.”

Luke 5:34

“And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”

Luke 5:35

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

Thematic Connections

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

Private Study Note

Add your own reflections or cross-references for this verse.