Jesus’ metaphor of new wine and old wineskins in Matthew 9:14–17 isn’t just poetic—it’s a direct challenge to old religious mindsets, especially around fasting. When John’s disciples asked why Jesus’ followers didn’t fast, He explained that fasting wasn’t about routine or ritual anymore. The “old wineskins” represented rigid, tradition-driven religion. The “new wine” was the fresh, living relationship Jesus came to offer. In other words, you can’t fit the life of Jesus into outdated religious habits.
Fasting still matters today—but not as a religious checkbox. Jesus redefined it as a relational practice, a way to seek God, grow spiritually, and respond to the Spirit’s leading. It’s about creating space for Him, not earning points. If you’ve ever fasted out of guilt, pressure, or habit, there’s a better way. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what Jesus really meant—and how His words can reshape your approach to faith, fasting, and spiritual growth.
If you’ve ever read Jesus’ words about new wine and old wineskins and thought, “What does this have to do with fasting?”, you’re not alone. It’s one of those metaphors that feels like a riddle. But when you break it down, it’s actually a powerful teaching—one that changes how we view not just fasting, but faith and spiritual transformation as a whole.
Let’s unpack it together.
The Context: A Question About Fasting
In Matthew 9:14-17, we read:
“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'”
Then Jesus adds this metaphor:
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment… Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled… But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:16-17)
So, how does this connect to fasting?
What Did Jesus Mean by “New Wine” and “Old Wineskins”?
1. Old Wineskins = Old Religious Systems
Back in Jesus’ time, wine was stored in wineskins made from goat hide. As wine fermented, it expanded, and so did the wineskin. But once a wineskin had stretched and dried out, it couldn’t stretch anymore. If you put new, fermenting wine into an old wineskin, it would burst.
The old wineskin represents the rigid religious practices of the Pharisees and John’s disciples. These included structured fasting rituals, often twice a week (Luke 18:12), that were performed more out of duty than devotion.
2. New Wine = Jesus’ New Way of Living
Jesus came bringing something radically new—a living, grace-filled relationship with God, not a religion of rule-following and public displays. This “new wine” was vibrant, alive, and couldn’t be contained by old religious forms.
So when the question of fasting came up, Jesus basically said:
“You can’t cram the joy, freedom, and presence of the Kingdom of God into outdated religious containers. There’s a new way now.”
Why Jesus’ Followers Didn’t Fast—Yet
When John’s disciples asked Jesus why His followers weren’t fasting, He replied with this key phrase:
“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” (Matthew 9:15)
Fasting was often linked to mourning, repentance, or spiritual longing. But Jesus—the Bridegroom—was present with them. Why mourn when the celebration is in full swing?
Here’s the breakdown:
- Jesus’ presence = a time of joy, not sorrow.
- Fasting was for longing, but there was nothing to long for—they had Him right there.
- He wasn’t rejecting fasting, but redefining its purpose.
“Then They Will Fast”: When and Why?
Jesus didn’t toss fasting out the window. He said His followers would fast—just not in the old way.
“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away… and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)
This was a reference to His coming death and resurrection. After that, His followers would fast—but not to earn God’s favor or follow tradition. They’d fast:
- To grow closer to God
- To seek clarity and direction
- To break spiritual strongholds
- To hunger more for His presence
Fasting, in the new way, is relational—not religious.
Key Differences Between Old and New Fasting
| Old Way (Old Wineskins) | New Way (New Wine) |
| Duty-based fasting | Desire-based fasting |
| Public performance | Private devotion (Matthew 6:16-18) |
| Legalistic | Grace-filled |
| Mourning and ritual | Joyful longing for more of Jesus |
| Tradition-bound | Spirit-led |
3 Key Lessons for You Today
1. Don’t Put New Life in Old Structures
Maybe you’re trying to follow Jesus but still holding on to old religious habits—doing things “just because” or because “that’s how it’s always been.” That’s like pouring new wine into cracked skins.
Ask yourself: Is your spiritual life flexible and alive, or brittle and routine?
Let Jesus reshape how you approach prayer, fasting, church, and Scripture. Let Him fill you with something new.
2. Fasting Still Matters—Just for the Right Reasons
Jesus didn’t eliminate fasting. He gave it purpose. If you’re fasting today:
- Don’t do it to impress God
- Don’t do it to show off (Matthew 6:16)
- Do it to quiet your distractions and seek His voice
Fasting helps you create space for God to move.
3. New Wine Requires New You
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!”
You’re not meant to carry Jesus’ life in a self-centered, rule-focused, me-first mindset. You’ve got to be renewed to contain His Spirit. That means surrender, humility, and transformation.
Real Life Example: Fasting for Clarity
Let’s say you’re facing a major decision—changing careers, moving, getting married. You want God’s direction. A fast can help.
But here’s the new wine approach:
- You don’t fast to earn an answer.
- You fast to be still, to listen, and to align with God.
It’s not about checking a box. It’s about clearing space in your heart.
Final Thoughts: Let the New Wine Flow
Jesus’ metaphor is more than clever—it’s a challenge.
Are you still trying to live a vibrant, Spirit-filled life inside a rigid, self-made structure?
That’s what old wineskins represent: doing things your way, based on tradition, comfort, or control. But new wine needs a fresh vessel—a heart that’s open, soft, and willing to stretch with God’s movement.
So when it comes to fasting, and to faith in general:
- Let go of legalism.
- Embrace Jesus’ presence.
- Fast when He leads.
- Live in the freedom of the new.
Because the Kingdom of God isn’t about old wineskins—it’s about new wine that brings life.
Key Bible Verses to Reflect On:
- Matthew 9:14–17 — The full passage about new wine and fasting
- Isaiah 58 — God’s vision for a true, heart-led fast
- Joel 2:12 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 — “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
FAQs: The New Wine and Old Wineskins – What Jesus’ Metaphor Means for Fasting
1. What does “new wine and old wineskins” mean in the Bible?
In the context of fasting, new wine and old wineskins is a metaphor Jesus used to show that His new way of life—marked by grace, joy, and the presence of God—couldn’t fit into the rigid, traditional religious practices like those of the Pharisees. It highlights the need for new spiritual practices to match a new relationship with God.
2. How does Jesus’ metaphor relate to fasting?
Jesus used the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins to explain that fasting under the new covenant wouldn’t look like fasting under the old. His followers didn’t fast while He was with them because it was a time of joy, not mourning. The time for fasting would come—but it would be led by the Spirit, not tradition.
3. Why didn’t Jesus’ disciples fast?
Jesus said that His presence was like a wedding feast—a time to celebrate, not mourn. Since fasting was often tied to mourning or longing for God, it didn’t make sense for His disciples to fast while He was physically with them (Matthew 9:15). After His departure, they would fast in a new way.
4. What is the “new wine” in Jesus’ metaphor?
The new wine represents the fresh, life-giving way of relating to God through Jesus. It’s the message of the Kingdom: grace, presence, joy, and inner transformation—not legalism or ritual. It needs a new kind of spiritual container, like flexible hearts and Spirit-led practices.
5. What are “old wineskins” in spiritual terms?
Old wineskins represent outdated religious systems, rigid rules, or mindsets that can’t hold the dynamic, growing nature of life with Jesus. When you try to force Jesus’ new way into an old framework, things break down.
6. Does Jesus tell us to fast today?
Yes—but not in the same way. Jesus said, “Then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15), meaning His followers would fast after His departure. But this fasting is personal, relational, and Spirit-led. It’s not about appearances or rituals—it’s about seeking more of God.
7. How is fasting different in the New Testament?
In the New Testament, fasting is no longer a public show of devotion or a ritual obligation. It becomes a private, powerful tool to draw closer to God, gain clarity, and grow spiritually (see Matthew 6:16–18, Acts 13:2–3). It’s flexible and rooted in relationship, not rules.
8. Can I still fast traditionally, like the Pharisees did?
You can, but Jesus encourages a different posture. Traditional fasting isn’t bad—but if it’s done out of duty or to earn favor, it becomes like trying to pour new wine into old wineskins. Fasting should be purposeful, joyful, and led by the Spirit—not driven by guilt or tradition.
9. What’s a healthy way to fast as a Christian today?
A healthy fast today means setting aside time, food, or distractions to seek God intentionally. It’s done in humility, not to earn blessings, but to be more aware of His presence and direction. It’s about softening your heart to be more flexible and open to His leading—like a new wineskin.
10. What’s the main takeaway from “The New Wine and Old Wineskins: What Jesus’ Metaphor Means for Fasting”?
The core message is that following Jesus requires a new mindset. Fasting—and all spiritual practices—should be rooted in relationship, not routine. You can’t follow Jesus with an old, rigid approach. His way is living, growing, and transforming—and so should your faith be.
