In Matthew 9:14–17, Jesus responds to a question about fasting with three powerful images: a bridegroom, a new patch on an old garment, and new wine in old wineskins. These aren’t just metaphors about fasting—they reveal a major shift from the Old Covenant of law and rituals to the New Covenant of grace and relationship. Jesus wasn’t rejecting fasting but showing that spiritual practices must flow from a living relationship with Him, not outdated religious systems.
This passage challenges us to move beyond rule-based religion and embrace the freedom and transformation found in Christ. It’s not about mixing old traditions with new life—it’s about letting Jesus do something entirely new in us. If you’re ready to understand what it really means to live in the newness of the gospel, keep reading for a deeper dive into what Jesus meant and how it applies to your faith today.
In Matthew 9:14–17, Jesus gives a powerful answer to a simple question about fasting. But His response goes deeper than just when or how to fast—it’s really about something much bigger: the radical shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.
If you’ve ever read this passage and thought, “Wait, what does wineskin have to do with fasting?”—you’re not alone. Let’s walk through it together.
The Question About Fasting
Matthew 9:14 (NIV) says:
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’”
At the time, fasting was a regular religious practice. The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12), and John the Baptist’s disciples also followed a strict lifestyle. So they were surprised—and maybe even a little offended—that Jesus and His followers didn’t do the same.
Their question was sincere: If Jesus is from God, why isn’t He keeping these spiritual disciplines?
Jesus’ Three-Part Answer
Jesus responds with three analogies that, on the surface, might seem unrelated. But they all point to the same truth.
1. The Bridegroom (Verse 15)
“Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.’”
Jesus compares Himself to a bridegroom. His disciples are the guests. In Jewish culture, a wedding was a joyful celebration, and fasting during a wedding would be completely inappropriate.
Key Point:
Fasting is connected to mourning or longing. Jesus is saying, “I’m here right now—this is a time of joy, not mourning.” But He also hints at His coming death when He says, “the bridegroom will be taken from them.” Then, fasting will have a place again.
So, the problem wasn’t fasting itself—it was the timing and purpose.
2. New Patch on Old Garment (Verse 16)
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”
This is about compatibility.
Trying to mix something new with something old that can’t stretch or adapt will only cause damage. A new, unshrunk patch will shrink after washing and rip the old fabric.
Key Point:
Jesus is saying the old religious systems—like ritual fasting, rules, and traditions—can’t contain what He’s bringing. His teaching, His kingdom, and ultimately, the New Covenant don’t fit into the old forms.
3. New Wine in New Wineskins (Verse 17)
“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Wine was stored in animal skins. New wine would ferment, expand, and stretch the skin. If you put new wine in old, brittle skins, they’d burst.
Key Point:
Jesus is the new wine. The old wineskins are the outdated religious structures of the Old Covenant. You can’t pour this new life, this new Spirit, into an old, rigid system. Something has to give.
So What Did Jesus Really Mean?
This whole conversation isn’t just about whether or not to fast. It’s about something far bigger:
Jesus Was Announcing the Arrival of the New Covenant.
The Old Covenant, given through Moses, was based on law, rituals, and external acts of devotion. The New Covenant, brought through Jesus, is based on grace, inner transformation, and relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was saying:
- “You’re trying to judge My movement by your old standards.”
- “But I’ve come to do something entirely new.”
- “The old religious system can’t contain the new life I’m bringing.”
3 Key Takeaways for You Today
1. Jesus Isn’t Against Fasting—He’s For Purposeful Fasting
When Jesus said His followers would fast after He was gone, He wasn’t dismissing fasting. He was saying that fasting has a time and place. It’s a tool—not a rule. It’s for drawing near to God, not checking off a box.
In fact, Jesus assumed His followers would fast. In Matthew 6:16 He says, “When you fast…”—not if.
Fasting is powerful when it flows from relationship, not religion.
2. You Can’t Fit Jesus Into Old Categories
Trying to live under both law and grace doesn’t work. You can’t earn God’s love through performance and trust Him fully through faith. That’s like mixing old and new—it’ll tear apart.
If you’re still measuring your spiritual life by rules, appearances, or comparison, Jesus invites you to a new way—one of freedom, grace, and Spirit-led living.
3. God Is Always Doing a New Thing
This passage challenges us to stay flexible. When God moves in a new way—whether in your life, church, or community—don’t cling to the old out of fear or tradition.
Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Ask yourself:
- Are you open to new wine?
- Are you willing to be a new wineskin?
Fasting in Light of the New Covenant
In the Old Testament, fasting was often about repentance or mourning (see Joel 2:12). In the New Testament, fasting becomes more about seeking intimacy with God, spiritual clarity, and aligning your heart with His.
After Jesus’ ascension, we see fasting in action:
- The early church fasted before big decisions (Acts 13:2-3).
- Paul fasted regularly (2 Corinthians 6:5).
- It was part of a Spirit-filled life.
But again—it’s not about obligation. It’s about desire. It’s not, “I have to fast.” It’s, “I want more of God.”
Final Thoughts
Matthew 9:14–17 isn’t just about fasting. It’s about Jesus shaking up the entire religious system. It’s about:
- Joy in the presence of Jesus
- Freedom from lifeless religion
- A new covenant of grace that transforms from the inside out
If you’re a follower of Jesus today, you’re not called to patch up the old—you’re invited to step fully into the new. Let go of ritual-driven faith. Embrace the Spirit-filled life Jesus made possible.
Summary in 3 Bullet Points:
- Jesus explained why His disciples didn’t fast: the time for fasting would come after He was gone.
- The new wine of the gospel can’t be contained in old religious systems.
- The New Covenant is about relationship, not ritual—life, not legalism.
Let Jesus reshape your understanding of what it means to follow Him. Be a new wineskin. Receive the new wine. And if you fast, let it be from a heart that longs for more of Him.
FAQs – Matthew 9:14-17: What Jesus Really Meant About Fasting and the New Covenant
1. What is the main message of Matthew 9:14–17?
The main message is that Jesus came to bring something entirely new—the New Covenant. Through the analogies of the bridegroom, the patch, and the wineskins, Jesus teaches that His message and ministry can’t be confined within old religious systems like legalistic fasting.
2. Why didn’t Jesus’ disciples fast like the Pharisees and John’s disciples?
Jesus said it wasn’t the right time. While He (the “bridegroom”) was with them, it was a time of joy, not mourning. He made it clear that fasting would have its place after He was “taken from them”—referring to His death.
3. What does Jesus mean by “new wine” and “new wineskins”?
The “new wine” represents the fresh, transformative message of the gospel. The “new wineskins” represent the new way of living under grace, not under the rigid rules of the Old Covenant. New wine needs a new container—meaning the gospel needs a new framework.
4. Was Jesus against fasting?
No, Jesus wasn’t against fasting. He affirmed its value when done with the right heart and timing. In Matthew 6:16, He said, “When you fast…”—not if. But He opposed ritualistic fasting that lacked spiritual substance.
5. How does this passage connect to the New Covenant?
Jesus uses fasting to illustrate the broader transition from the Old Covenant (law-based religion) to the New Covenant (grace-based relationship). He came to fulfill the law and introduce a new way to relate to God—through Him, not through rituals.
6. What’s the significance of the “bridegroom” analogy?
The bridegroom analogy emphasizes the joy of Jesus’ presence. Just as wedding guests don’t fast while celebrating, the disciples rejoiced while Jesus was with them. The analogy also foreshadows His crucifixion—the time when mourning (and fasting) would be appropriate.
7. Can Christians still fast today?
Absolutely. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps believers draw closer to God, seek clarity, and express dependence. The difference is that it’s no longer about ritual or earning God’s favor—it’s about relationship and spiritual hunger.
8. How does this passage apply to modern Christianity?
It challenges us to let go of outdated mindsets and legalism. We’re called to live in the freedom and power of the New Covenant. This means being led by the Spirit, not by traditions or religious pressure.
9. What are “old wineskins” in today’s context?
Old wineskins today can be rigid religious systems, traditions that have lost meaning, or mindsets that resist change. Anything that can’t contain the fresh work of God can become an old wineskin.
10. What should I do if I’ve been stuck in “old covenant” thinking?
Recognize that Jesus offers something new—freedom, grace, and transformation. Let go of performance-based faith and invite the Holy Spirit to reshape how you live, worship, and relate to God.
