Mat 9:14-17 | RWP | e4.org | The disciples of John ( ο μαθητα Ιωανου ). One is surprised to find disciples of the Baptist in the role of critics of Christ along with the Pharisees. But John was languishing in prison and they perhaps were blaming Jesus for doing nothing about it. At any rate John would not have gone to Levi's feast on one of the Jewish fast-days. "The strict asceticism of the Baptist ( ) and of the Pharisaic rabbis ( ) was imitated by their disciples" (McNeile).

‏ Matthew 9:14-17

The disciples of John ( ο μαθητα Ιωανου ). One is surprised to find disciples of the Baptist in the role of critics of Christ along with the Pharisees. But John was languishing in prison and they perhaps were blaming Jesus for doing nothing about it. At any rate John would not have gone to Levi's feast on one of the Jewish fast-days. "The strict asceticism of the Baptist (11:18) and of the Pharisaic rabbis (Lu 18:12) was imitated by their disciples" (McNeile).

The sons of the bride-chamber ( ο υιο του νυμφωνος ). It is a late Hebrew idiom for the wedding guests, "the friends of the bridegroom and all the sons of the bride-chamber" (Tos. Berak. ii. 10). Cf. Joh 2:29.

Undressed cloth ( ρακους αγναφου ). An unfulled, raw piece of woollen cloth that will shrink when wet and tear a bigger hole than ever.

A worse rent ( χειρον σχισμα ). Our word "schism." The " patch" ( πληρωμα, filling up) thus does more harm than good.

Old wineskins ( ασκους παλαιους ). Not glass " bottles" but wineskins used as bottles as is true in Palestine yet, goatskins with the rough part inside. "Our word bottle originally carried the true meaning, being a bottle of leather. In Spanish bota means a leather bottle, a boot, and a butt. In Spain wine is still brought to market in pig-skins " (Vincent). The new wine will ferment and crack the dried-up old skins.

The wine is spilled ( εκχειτα ), poured out.