New Wine Explained - Parable of Wineskins in Mark 2

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the wineskins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins." (Mark 2:22)

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved." (Matthew 9:17)

When I first began reading the Bible and was brand new to my faith in Christ, I never quite understood what Jesus meant when He answered the Pharisees with the statement recorded above in both Mark 2:22 and Matthew 9:17. To understand His cryptic statement, we must rely on spiritual revelation. The Lord desires us to understand the "mysteries" of His Kingdom, so He gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us into all wisdom & truth.

Before we jump into learning about "new wineskins," I think it's important to address the question of what exactly is "new wine" from a biblical perspective. To do so, let's examine the first time wine is mentioned in the New Testament.

In one of the first accounts in John's Gospel, he records what happens at a wedding which takes place in the village of Cana. Mary (the mother of Jesus), Jesus, and His disciples are in attendance at this celebration. While the festivities are taking place, the most embarrassing thing happens that could ever happen to a 1st century family...the wine runs out mid-celebration 😱...talk about public shame!? Mary, being aware of the impending catastrophe, asks Jesus to intervene before the guests discover the mishap. It's very interesting to see the way in which Jesus responds to His mother's request by saying, "Dear woman, that's not our problem, My time has not yet come." (John 2:4)

Hmmm...very interesting response indeed! "My time has not come" to do what? We'll return to that momentarily.

Something somewhat odd happens next which requires spiritual discernment to comprehend.

"Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from 20-30 gallons. Jesus told His servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim." (John 2:6-7)

Let's unpack some key things here...

• Stone water jars, mentioned in the verse above, were used for purification rituals. Stone vessels cannot become ceremonially impure. In other words, they cannot become contaminated by bacteria or mold. In order for a person to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, they had to be in a state of spiritual purity by being ceremonially clean. According to the Torah, certain aspects of daily life defiled a person and placed them in a state of ceremonial uncleanness. Some examples include: a woman's menstrual cycle, coming into contact with an unclean animal, a discharge of any kind, and so forth. One would need to purify by undergoing a "ritual bath" called a mikveh (immersing oneself into pure, living water) to become clean once again in order to worship the LORD at the Temple. Stone vessels were usually made from soft limestone.

• Now that we've addressed the concept of being in a state of spiritual purity, let's discuss the "rites of purification" mentioned in John's account. It's interesting that the stone vessels could hold 20-30 gallons of water because that is exactly the amount of water generally used for a bath, even by our modern standards. Archaeologists who specialize in 1st century archaeology have discovered ritual baths in the houses of the elite. These baths were used for purification and usually held about 30 gallons of water. Again, the main point of ritual baths was to return to a state of spiritual purity for worship.

• In order for the ritual bath to be effective, pure "living water" had to be used. Living water refers to fresh, running water that is collected from a body of water like a river or spring. Stone jars like the ones mentioned in the Gospel of John would have been used to hold this pure, living water reserved for purification.

Okay, now that the groundwork has been laid, what happened next?

"Jesus said, 'Now dip some out and take it to the Master of ceremonies.' So the servants followed His instructions. When the Master of the ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 'A host always serves the best wine first,' he said. 'Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!'" (John 2:8-10)

...the water was now wine...

What is the Holy Spirit revealing to us here?

The water that became wine was drawn from the stone vessels used for purification, meaning the water was pure, living water. Living water had the ability to return one to a state of spiritual purity.

This spiritually pure {holy} water became wine. 💧🍷

Hold on to that thought because we will piece all of this together in a little bit. Now, let's see what wine represents throughout the Bible.

Wine was highly valued in biblical times. It was consumed quite often with meals because it was usually a safer choice than drinking water. It is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of joy and merriment. Many biblical feast days, such as Passover, Shavuot, and the Feast of Tabernacles, called for festive meals accompanied by wine. This sweet liquid gathered from crushed grapes has always been a symbol of God's provision and goodness.

Now that we have a deeper understanding of the symbolism of stone, living water, and wine in the Bible, let's dig deeper to discover the spiritual significance Jesus communicates by performing this miracle which is stated as being "the first time He revealed His glory." (John 2:11)

Jesus, the Cornerstone

"Therefore says the LORD God, 'Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious Cornerstone, of a sure foundation.'"

"As you come to Him a Living Stone..."

"...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The Messiah is repeatedly likened to a stone by the Old Testament prophets. In ancient Israel, stone was the building material of choice due to the vast supply of it. Its properties included durability, strength, immovability, and resistance to contamination. Jesus is described as the Cornerstone, the first stone laid in a building project which all other stones are positioned from. Stone is also used as a metaphor for believers who are built, stone by stone, into a holy temple (a spiritual house) for God where His Spirit dwells among His people. Christ is the foundation that the entire spiritual house, the Church, is built upon.

It makes sense then that stone would be present in His first miracle of turning water into wine. His life, represented by the stone jars, is incorruptible and impervious to defilement because He is perfect just as God the Father is perfect. He is spotless, sinless, and completely holy. It is from this tested and precious Cornerstone that true life (represented by the living water) is contained. His Body is a vessel that holds the very nature of God the Father. He is the perfect representation of the Father. During His earthly ministry, people who were in need just had to reach out and touch Him and they were immediately healed and made whole. Why? Because whomever or whatever touched Him was made clean (holy) because He was clean (holy). He could not become defiled. We can see this foreshadowed in Exodus. Once the holy instruments of the Tabernacle were anointed and sanctified to the LORD anything that came into contact with them was also made holy. How much more so the Incarnate Son of God?!

"Consecrate them to make them absolutely holy. After this, whatever touches them will also become holy." (Exodus 30:29)

Jesus, the Living Water 💧

Jesus plainly described Himself as the Living Water when He cried out,

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: 'Streams of living water will flow within him.'" (John 7:37-38)

John includes, "He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive."

Living water symbolizes abundant life! Imagine a flowing river and its vibrant ecosystem. Think about all the different kinds of fish and marine life that would call it home. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to bring abundant life! The Living Water (the Holy Spirit of God) residing within Him generates life and abundance. Jesus came and poured out His life for YOU and for me! His Spirit is the mechanism that generates rebirth. You have been born anew and are a new creation in Him. The living water drawn from the stone jars in John's account symbolizes the perfect (pure, clean, and holy) nature of Jesus (His Spirit) imparted to those who believe.

John even gives us the very interesting detail that the servants filled the stone jars to the brim.

We, as believers, are called to overflow with joy, peace, and hope in Christ:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Jesus, the Wine of the New Covenant 🍷

It is very clear from Scripture that wine represents the blood of Jesus which "confirms the new covenant between God and His people." (Matthew 26:28)

Jesus explains that His blood "is poured out like a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." (Matthew 26:28)

His sinless blood purchased for us:

Forgiveness, Redemption, Healing, Righteousness - The full package of salvation!

God, by the blood of Christ, cleanses sinners from the guilt and power of sin.

As the servants poured out the pure, living water from the stone jars, the water turned into wine. In like manner, the Living Water was poured out unto death and His blood (represented by wine) cleansed all those who believe in Him from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

"...one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." (John 19:34)

After sampling the new wine poured from the stone jars, the Master of the banquet comments that the host has "saved the fine wine until now." God the Father also saved the "best wine" for that exact moment of human history when Jesus appeared on the scene. Although He is the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), up until this point in time, those who preceded His coming (men of faith like Abraham, David, Isaiah, & Daniel) were only given a prophetic glimpse of His future arrival. They could only wait in hopeful anticipation while the blood of bulls and goats (animal sacrifices) temporarily covered and purified them of their sin.

The "best wine" was saved until the appointed time on the Father's calendar had arrived.

That's why Jesus' reply to Mary's request at the wedding feast is so interesting. He told her that His time had not yet come. His time to do what? To provide the wine for His wedding feast!

"Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Revelation 19:9)

Who are the ones invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb? Those who have washed themselves in the blood of the the Lamb which made them clean (Revelation 7:14). In other words, they have accepted the free gift of salvation purchased for them by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

His blood was poured out so that He could provide the best wine for His wedding feast. From this place of undeserved favor, we receive salvation with joy and gladness, just as wine brings joy and merriment to the hearts of those who drink it.

"You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and new wine abound." (Psalm 4:7)

New wine is an earthly representation of the joy found in the abundant life Jesus, our Bridegroom, has provided!

New Wine Calls for New Wineskins

In summary, "new wine" represents the blood of our Savior which confirms the New Covenant with God the Father.

New wine requires new wineskins. Wineskins allow new wine to be "on the go." They are made from the leather of sheep and goatskins and sewn together to form a bag which holds the wine and allows traveling with it possible.

On the day of Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew), the Holy Spirit came and indwelled believers. We became temples of the Holy Spirit with the very Presence of God dwelling within each believer. We became wineskins "on the go" carrying within us the Kingdom of Heaven and the Great Commission - "Go and make disciples of all nations with the Gospel." (Matthew 28:18-20)

What's interesting about wineskins is that when a wineskin is empty (void of wine), the leather dries out and hardens. In order for it to be used again, it needs to be soaked in water which softens the skin. It then needs treatment with oil in order for it to hold wine. If this is not done, then the wineskin will burst as soon as new wine is poured into it because of the pressure from the fermentation process. The hardened wineskin, inflexible and unyielding, is destroyed and the wine is lost too. This is exactly what Jesus teaches in His parable.

He taught this parable when some men from the sect of Pharisees came to Him asking (read: accusing) why His disciples didn't fast like they did.

Let's take a moment to briefly unpack this...

Fasting was a spiritual discipline used throughout the Old Testament. It was a sign of mourning, repentance, and petitioning of God. Fasting was seen as a channel in which one could show their dependence and need for God by abstaining from food and/or water. It represented humility before the LORD. Later on, during the first century, it became a common religious discipline. Some Pharisees engaged in fasting on a weekly basis as a symbol of piety and devotion to God. Some even took special pride in their fasting because of their "standing" before God and status among the people (evidenced by Jesus' parable about the Pharisee who fasted "twice in a week" found in Luke 18:12-14). The Pharisees began to treat fasting as a work of righteousness. They thought it earned favor with God. They didn't need a Savior because they were righteous in their own eyes. Jesus offered nothing to them.

Jesus addressed this issue in His comments on new wine and new wineskins. New wine cannot come from doing "good deeds" and "righteous works" because all of mankind (including the Pharisees) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). New wine is produced outside of the wineskins and then poured into the wineskins. The new wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus which confirms the New Covenant. The New Covenant is built upon salvation by grace alone. If the Pharisees refused to repent from their dead works, they would stay dried-out, inflexible, unyielding wineskins that were useless. They would never fulfill the purpose they were created for which is to carry new wine. Believers are vessels commissioned with the purpose of carrying forth His new wine which is abundant, eternal life.

In order to be carriers of His eternal life, we must first be soaked in the pure, living water of Jesus Christ (represented by baptism) and then oiled by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Then, we can stand before God, in the righteousness of Christ, as His wineskins carrying forth new wine inviting others to come and drink from the depths of His wells of salvation! (Isaiah 12:3-6)

We have the joy of proclaiming to everyone we encounter, "Taste and see that the LORD is good!" 🙌🏻