Luke 5:39 Meaning and Explanation
“No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus observes that no one who has drunk old wine immediately wants new, for he says the old is better.
What Does Luke 5:39 Mean?
Luke alone preserves this final, wry saying. Jesus knows how palates work: a person accustomed to old wine does not reach eagerly for the new vintage. The scribes murmuring at Levi's feast are living proof — the familiar feels better simply because it is familiar, and the new is refused before it is tasted.
There is patience in the observation, and a gentle warning. Christ understands that hearts shaped by long habit are slow to taste what he offers, and he does not mock the slowness. But comfort with the customary can quietly keep a soul from the wine of the kingdom. The saying invites everyone who loves the old vintage at least to taste the new — for this wine, once tried, proves itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:39
What does Luke 5:39 mean?
Jesus observes that no one who has drunk old wine immediately wants new, for he says the old is better.