Read & explore together
Fasting, New Cloth and New Wineskins
People ask Jesus why his disciples are not fasting like John’s disciples and the Pharisees. Jesus answers with a wedding picture and two short illustrations about cloth and wineskins to explain what fits the present time.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
In these verses, people compare Jesus’ disciples with John’s disciples and the Pharisees. The question centres on fasting, and Luke also mentions prayer and that Jesus’ disciples eat and drink. Jesus answers first with the image of a bridegroom, then with a parable about garments and wineskins.
Matthew 9:14–17; Mark 2:18–22; Luke 5:33–39Main takeaway
Jesus teaches that there is a fitting time for fasting, and his illustrations warn against forcing together things that do not fit.
Explore the teaching
01A question about fastingThe question is direct: John’s disciples and the Pharisees fast, but Jesus’ disciples do not.
Explanation
The question is direct: John’s disciples and the Pharisees fast, but Jesus’ disciples do not. Luke adds that the others often fast and pray, while Jesus’ disciples eat and drink. The issue in these verses is why Jesus’ group behaves differently at this particular time.
02The bridegroom pictureJesus answers with the image of a bridegroom and his friends. While the bridegroom is with them, it is not the time for mourning or fasting.
Explanation
Jesus answers with the image of a bridegroom and his friends. While the bridegroom is with them, it is not the time for mourning or fasting. Jesus also says days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away, and then his disciples will fast. His reply focuses on what fits the moment.
03New cloth on an old garmentJesus then gives an illustration about clothing. An unshrunk piece on an old garment makes matters worse.
Explanation
Jesus then gives an illustration about clothing. An unshrunk piece on an old garment makes matters worse. Matthew and Mark say the patch tears away and leaves a worse hole. Luke adds that the piece from the new garment does not match the old. The illustration shows mismatch and damage rather than repair.
04New wine and fresh wineskinsJesus gives a second illustration. New wine in old wineskins leads to bursting, spilling and destruction, while fresh wineskins preserve both wine and skins.
Explanation
Jesus gives a second illustration. New wine in old wineskins leads to bursting, spilling and destruction, while fresh wineskins preserve both wine and skins. Luke alone adds that a person who has drunk old wine may say, ‘The old is better’, which keeps the contrast between old and new in view.
Read the accounts alongside one another
Keep each reading’s setting and wording in view.
Scroll across to compare the readings.
| Book | Included readings | Explore in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Matthew 9:14–17 | A question about fasting The bridegroom picture New cloth on an old garment New wine and fresh wineskins |
| Mark | Mark 2:18–22 | A question about fasting The bridegroom picture New cloth on an old garment New wine and fresh wineskins |
| Luke | Luke 5:33–39 | A question about fasting The bridegroom picture New cloth on an old garment New wine and fresh wineskins |
Questions to explore
01According to Jesus, why was fasting not fitting for his disciples at that moment?
Look at the bridegroom comparison and notice the difference between the time when he is with them and the days when he is taken away.
02What goes wrong in the illustration about cloth and garments?
Notice both results: the old garment is made worse, and Luke also says the piece from the new garment does not match the old.
03What extra saying does Luke include after the wineskin illustration?
Read Luke’s final verse and pay attention to the exact words spoken about old wine and new.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Matthew 9:14–17
14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.
17Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Mark 2:18–22
18John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”
19Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast.
20But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.
22No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”
Luke 5:33–39
33They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”
34He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?
35But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”
36He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.
37No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled and the skins will be destroyed.
38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.
39No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”