New International Version“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.
New Living Translation“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.
English Standard VersionNo one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
Berean Standard BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.
Berean Literal BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on old clothing. Otherwise the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear takes place.
King James BibleNo 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.
New King James VersionNo one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.
New American Standard Bible“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results.
NASB 1995“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results.
NASB 1977“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results.
Legacy Standard Bible“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise that patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results.
Amplified Bible“No one sews a patch of unshrunk (new) cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse.
Christian Standard BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new patch pulls away from the old cloth, and a worse tear is made.
Holman Christian Standard BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new patch pulls away from the old cloth, and a worse tear is made.
American Standard VersionNo man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.
Contemporary English VersionNo one patches old clothes by sewing on a piece of new cloth. The new piece would shrink and tear a bigger hole.
English Revised VersionNo man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"No one patches an old coat with a new piece of cloth that will shrink. Otherwise, the new patch will shrink and rip away some of the old cloth, and the tear will become worse.
Good News Translation"No one uses a piece of new cloth to patch up an old coat, because the new patch will shrink and tear off some of the old cloth, making an even bigger hole.
International Standard Version"No one patches an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth. If he does, the patch pulls away from it—the new from the old—and a worse tear is made.
NET BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse.
New Heart English BibleNo one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.
Webster's Bible TranslationNo 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.
Weymouth New TestamentNo one mends an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away from it--the new from the old--and a worse hole would be made. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.
World English BibleNo one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd no one sews a patch of undressed cloth on an old garment, and if not—the new, filling it up, takes from the old and the split becomes worse;
Berean Literal BibleNo one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on old clothing. Otherwise the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear takes place.
Young's Literal Translation 'And no one a patch of undressed cloth doth sew on an old garment, and if not -- the new filling it up doth take from the old and the rent doth become worse;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd none sews a piece of uncombed fragment upon an old garment; and lest its new filling up take away from the old, and the splitting be worse. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNo man seweth a piece of raw cloth to an old garment: otherwise the new piecing taketh away from the old, and there is made a greater rent.
Catholic Public Domain VersionNo one sews a patch of new cloth onto an old garment. Otherwise, the new addition pulls away from the old, and the tear becomes worse.
New American BibleNo one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
New Revised Standard Version“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNo man puts a new patch and sews it on a worn out garment, so that the new patch may not weaken the old, and the hole become larger.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“No man places a new strip of cloth and sews it on an old garment lest the fullness of that new cloth takes from the old, and it rips more.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentNo one sews a patch of new cloth on an old garment; if so, the new piece which fills it up, takes from the old, and a worse rent is made.
Godbey New TestamentNo one putteth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: lest the new take its fullness from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Haweis New Testament
And no man seweth on a patch of cloth undressed upon an old garment: but if otherwise, the new piece supplied taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Mace New Testament
indeed no man ever sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: because the new piece that is patch'd on, draws the old, and rends it still worse.
Weymouth New Testament
No one mends an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away from it--the new from the old--and a worse hole would be made.
Worrell New Testament
No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; else the patch takes from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.
Worsley New Testament
No man seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment; otherwise, it's new patch teareth from the old, and the rent is made worse:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Patches and the Wineskins20But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. 21No onesewsa patchof unshrunkclothonan oldgarment.If he does,thenew piecewill pull awayfromthe old,anda worsetearwill result.22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.”…
Cross References Matthew 9:16No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.
Luke 5:36He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will tear the new garment as well, and the patch from the new will not match the old.
Romans 7:6But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Hebrews 8:13By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Galatians 5:1-4It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. / Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. / Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ...
Colossians 2:14having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
Ephesians 4:22-24to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Jeremiah 31:31-34Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...
Ezekiel 36:26-27I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.
Isaiah 43:18-19“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. / Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 65:17For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Isaiah 61:10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Job 14:14When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.
Psalm 102:26They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.
Treasury of Scripture No man also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. seweth. Psalm 103:13-15 Like as a father pitiethhis children,so the LORD pitieth them that fear him… Isaiah 57:16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the soulswhich I have made. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but Godis faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bearit. new. Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Jump to Previous BitClothCoatFilledGarmentHoleMendsNewOtherwisePatchPiecePullPullsPutsRentSewsShrinksTearTearsUnshrunkWorseJump to Next BitClothCoatFilledGarmentHoleMendsNewOtherwisePatchPiecePullPullsPutsRentSewsShrinksTearTearsUnshrunkWorseMark 2 1.Jesus followed by multitudes,3.heals a paralytic;13.calls Matthew;15.eats with tax collectors and sinners;18.excuses his disciples for not fasting;23.and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.In the cultural context of first-century Judea, garments were valuable possessions, often handmade and requiring significant effort to produce. The metaphor of sewing a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment would have been easily understood by Jesus' audience. Unshrunk cloth, when washed, would shrink and pull away from the older, already-shrunk fabric, causing further damage. This imagery illustrates the incompatibility of Jesus' new teachings with the old Jewish traditions and legalism. The old garment represents the established religious practices, while the unshrunk cloth symbolizes the new covenant and teachings of Jesus, which cannot simply be added to the old ways without causing disruption. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old,
This phrase emphasizes the inevitable conflict between the new and the old. The new piece, representing the teachings of Jesus and the new covenant, is fundamentally different from the old garment, symbolizing the Mosaic Law and traditional Jewish customs. The pulling away signifies the tension and eventual separation that occurs when trying to combine the two. This reflects the broader theme in the Gospels of Jesus fulfilling and transcending the old covenant, as seen in passages likeHebrews 8:13, which speaks of the new covenant making the first obsolete. and a worse tear will result.
The result of attempting to combine the new with the old is not just failure but further damage. This serves as a warning against trying to merge the transformative message of Jesus with the rigid structures of the past. The "worse tear" can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual and communal discord that arises when the new covenant is not fully embraced. This idea is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such asGalatians 5:4, where Paul warns against reverting to the law after accepting Christ. The imagery of a worse tear also points to the necessity of a complete renewal, as prophesied inEzekiel 36:26, where God promises a new heart and spirit. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus- The speaker of this parable, Jesus uses this metaphor to teach about the incompatibility of old and new covenants. 2. Disciples- Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the primary audience of Jesus' teachings in this chapter. 3. Pharisees- Religious leaders who often questioned Jesus' teachings and practices, providing context for why Jesus used parables to explain His message. 4. Old Garment- Symbolizes the old covenant or traditional Jewish practices that Jesus came to fulfill and transform. 5. New Cloth- Represents the new covenant and the teachings of Jesus, which cannot be simply added to the old ways without causing disruption. Teaching Points Incompatibility of Old and NewJesus teaches that His new covenant cannot be merely added to the old ways. Believers must embrace the new life in Christ fully. Transformation Over TraditionThe new cloth represents transformation, not just a patching up of old traditions. Christians are called to a transformed life, not just adherence to old rituals. The Cost of MixingAttempting to mix old and new can lead to greater damage, just as the new cloth would tear the old garment. Believers should be cautious of trying to blend worldly practices with their faith. Embrace the New CovenantThe new covenant offers a complete and fulfilling relationship with God through Jesus. Embrace it fully rather than trying to fit it into old frameworks. Spiritual RenewalJust as new cloth is needed for a new garment, spiritual renewal is necessary for a vibrant Christian life. Seek continual renewal through prayer, study, and fellowship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 2:21?
2.How does Mark 2:21 illustrate the incompatibility of old and new teachings?
3.What does "new patch on old garment" symbolize in our spiritual lives?
4.How can we ensure our hearts are receptive to Christ's new teachings?
5.What Old Testament teachings align with the message in Mark 2:21?
6.How can we apply the principle of renewal from Mark 2:21 today?
7.What does Mark 2:21 symbolize in the context of Jesus' teachings on tradition versus renewal?
8.How does Mark 2:21 challenge the adherence to old religious practices?
9.What historical context is necessary to understand the metaphor in Mark 2:21?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 2?
11.What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible?
12.Mark 2:18-22 - Why does Jesus' stance on fasting differ so greatly from Jewish customs, and does this contradict Old Testament laws?
13.Why does Jesus refer to 'Abiathar the high priest' in Mark 2:26 while 1 Samuel 21 names Ahimelech instead?
14.Who is a ransom for whom? Mark 10:45 and I Timothy 2:5-6 say Christ is a ransom for many/all. Proverbs 21:18 says the wicked is a ransom for the righteous.What Does Mark 2:21 Mean No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garmentJesus frames His answer to the fasting controversy (Mark 2:18–20) with an image every listener understood. An “old garment” represents the established religious system centered on Mosaic Law, sacrifices, and ritual fasting. The “unshrunk cloth” pictures the fresh, dynamic reality of His kingdom message—new life in Him. As inLuke 5:36 andMatthew 9:16, the point is clear: the new covenant is not a mere add-on; it is entirely new fabric. Trying to stitch gospel grace onto law-keeping misunderstands both (Romans 7:6;Hebrews 8:13). • Old garment: humanity’s best efforts, traditions, and self-righteousness. • New cloth: Christ’s righteousness, a heart sprinkled clean (Ephesians 2:15;2 Corinthians 5:17).
If he doesShould anyone attempt the mix, Jesus warns of inevitable trouble. Religion plus a touch of Jesus feels safer than full surrender, yet it ignores His exclusive claim inJohn 14:6.Galatians 3:24-25 shows the Law as a guardian until Christ; once faith has come, guardianship ends. To keep sewing is to refuse His finished work (Galatians 5:4). • Mixing systems produces confusion—grace cannot be earned. • The temptation is real: add a little rule-keeping “just in case.”
the new piece will pull away from the oldUnshrunk cloth shrinks when washed; likewise, new-covenant life grows and stretches. It exposes the rigidity of the old order, pulling apart what once looked united.Hebrews 10:9 says Christ “takes away the first to establish the second.” The tug is not failure in the gospel but incompatibility of grace with works (Romans 11:6). • Grace expands hearts; legalism contracts them. • When freedom in Christ enters, the seams of self-effort split.
and a worse tear will resultThe end result of hybrid spirituality is deeper damage: guilt returns heavier, joy evaporates, and fellowship fractures (Colossians 2:20-23). Jesus’ listeners risked missing Messiah altogether, ending in emptier religion than before (Luke 11:52).Hebrews 6:4-6 warns how tragic it is to taste new life yet retreat to dead works. • Half-measures leave people doubting salvation. • The gospel loses none of its power; the tear worsens only for those who reject its totality.
summaryMark 2:21 teaches that the gospel is not a patch but an entirely new garment. Christ’s kingdom cannot be tacked onto old religious fabrics; it must replace them. Attempts to blend grace with law, faith with works, or Spirit-led life with human regulation inevitably rip the soul. The only safe course is to discard the worn garment of self-righteousness and put on Christ alone. Verse 21. - No man seweth a piece of new cloth - the Greek is ( ῤακους ἀγνάφου) undressed cloth, cloth newly woven, and before it has been dressed by the fuller - on an old garment. The latter part of this verse is better rendered, as in the Revised Version, thus: Else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old; and a worse rent ismade. The meaning of the words is this: An old garment, if it be torn, should be mended by a patch of old material; for if a patch of new material is used, its strength or fullness takes away from the old garment to which it is sewn; the old and the new do not agree, the new drags the old and tears it, and so a worse rent is made.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek No oneΟὐδεὶς(Oudeis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762:No one, none, nothing.sewsἐπιράπτει(epiraptei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1976:To sew (on). From epi and the base of rhaphis; to stitch upon, i.e. Fasten with the needle.a patchἐπίβλημα(epiblēma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1915:A patch on a garment. From epiballo; a patch.of unshrunkἀγνάφου(agnaphou)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 46:Unshrunken, new. Properly, unfulled, i.e. new.clothῥάκους(rhakous)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4470:A piece of cloth, a remnant torn off. From rhegnumi; a 'rag, ' i.e. Piece of cloth.onἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.an oldπαλαιόν(palaion)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3820:Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out.garment.ἱμάτιον(himation)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2440:A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.If he does,εἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.[new] pieceπλήρωμα(plērōma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4138:From pleroo; repletion or completion, i.e. what fills, or what is filled.will pull awayαἴρει(airei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 142:To raise, lift up, take away, remove.fromτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.[the] old,παλαιοῦ(palaiou)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3820:Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.a worseχεῖρον(cheiron)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 5501:Worse, more severe. Irregular comparative of kakos; from an obsolete equivalent cheres; more evil or aggravated.tearσχίσμα(schisma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4978:A rent, as in a garment; a division, dissention. From schizo; a split or gap, literally or figuratively.will result.γίνεται(ginetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.
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NT Gospels: Mark 2:21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk (Mar Mk Mr) |
