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.
Nobody patches old clothes with brand new fabric, the new piece will just shrink and rip away from the old stuff, making an even bigger hole than before.
You can't fix old problems with brand new solutions that don't fit.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of Mark 2, Jesus is responding to criticisms from religious leaders about his disciples not fasting, using simple parables to explain that his teachings represent a new era of God's kingdom that can't be forced into old religious practices. This verse draws from everyday first-century Jewish life, where people commonly mended worn clothing, to illustrate that attempting to combine the fresh message of the gospel with rigid traditions would only cause further damage. Jesus' use of such analogies highlights his approach to making profound spiritual truths accessible to ordinary people.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.