Reference

Mark 2:22

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

“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.”

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

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

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.

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Counter-Arguments

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

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

The verse explicitly states "new wine" (oinos neos), which in ancient contexts referred to grape juice that had not yet fermented, or was in the early stages of fermentation. However, the primary point of the analogy is about the *nature* of the new wine (its expansive properties during fermentation) and the *nature* of the old wineskins (their inelasticity). The analogy works precisely because new wine *does* ferment and expand, bursting old, inflexible wineskins. If the "new wine" were simply

Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

The verse mentions "new wine" and "old bottles" but makes no reference to "strong drink" or any other type of alcoholic beverage, nor does it discuss different implications of various substances.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

Related Verses

Mark 2:21

“No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.”

Mark 2:20

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

Mark 2:19

“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”

Mark 14:25

“Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Mark 2:24

“And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?”

Thematic Connections

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

Private Study Note

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