Luke 5:36 (KJV)

What does Luke 5:36 mean?

Luke 5:36 describes Jesus telling a parable about not putting a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, because doing so would damage both the new and the old, and the patch would not match the original garment. The verse uses this image to show that some things do not fit together and trying to combine them can cause harm or confusion.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a group that includes religious leaders who have questioned Him about His disciples’ behavior. By using the example of clothing repair, Jesus is illustrating a bigger point about change and the incompatibility of old and new ways. The parable sets up the idea that His message and approach are not simply a patch on old traditions, but something fundamentally new.

The Greek behind Luke 5:36

• "παραβολή" (parabolē, G3850): This word means "parable" or "story with a lesson." Jesus often used parables to make spiritual truths clearer by comparing them to everyday life.
• "καινός" (kainos, G2537): Translated as "new," this word often means something fresh, unused, or of a new kind. Here, it stresses that what Jesus brings is not just a repair or improvement of the old, but something entirely different.
• "σχίσμα" (schisma, G4977): This is the word for "rent" or "tear." The idea is that trying to combine the new with the old actually makes the damage worse, not better.

Why Luke 5:36 matters

• Luke 5:36 helps clear up the misunderstanding that Jesus’ teachings are just an addition or improvement to existing religious traditions; instead, He is introducing something fundamentally new.
• The verse highlights the tension between old practices and new ways, which is a recurring theme in Jesus’ interactions with religious leaders throughout the Gospels.
• Understanding this parable sheds light on the following verses, where Jesus continues with similar images (like new wine in old wineskins), reinforcing the message that His arrival changes the way people relate to God.