By: Pastor Paul Martin  |  Scripture: Luke 5:12 – 6:11  |  Audio: Download MP3  |  Study Guide: Download PDF

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: A Message of Hope and Fulfillment For Those Longing For God

Conflict and New Wine

Luke 5: 12 ‐ 6:11

In the section of Luke’s Gospel beginning in 5:12 and going through 6:11 the recurring theme is conflict with the religious leaders of the day, particularly the Pharisee and teachers of the Law. Most of the conflict has to do with the Sabbath regulations, but also strike at the heart of Who Jesus is. In the middle of this passage are parables/proverbs about new patches on old garments and new wine in old wineskins. These analogies are intended to highlight the new paradigm of God’s Kingdom, or life in the Holy Spirit vs life under the Law. The passage is key to understanding how the old differs from the new and how crucial for us to live by the Holy Spirit.

I. Points of Conflict

  • A. 5:20: forgiveness of sin
  • B. 5:24: demonstrates His authority making Him equal to God
  • C. 5:27: includes a tax collector in His group of disciples
  • D. 5:30: shares a meal and has fellowship with tax collectors
  • E. 5:33: Pharisees complain about Jesus’ followers not being religious
  • F. 6:1‐2: Picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath
  • G. 6:10: Healing the man with the withered hand

II. Jesus and the Law; Purpose of the Sabbath

  • A. 5:13‐14: Jesus “touches” the leper but commands him to go first to the priest
  • B. 6:1‐5: Picking the grain, the story of David & the Bread of the Presence (I Sam 21:1‐6), Son of MAN is Lord of the Sabbath
  • C. 6:6‐11: Jesus heals the withered hand and directly provokes the Pharisees

III. New Wine and Old Wineskins

  • A. Jesus flagrantly, but not purposelessly, violates the regulations of the Sabbath
    day. Some of the instances are rules added by the religious leaders, some appear
    to be actual violations of the Levitical Law. As the Pharisees mount their
    objections, Jesus appears to be more intentional in His provocation.
  • B. How does this behavior fit with His declared purpose that He had come not to
    abolish the Law but to fulfill it? (Matt 5:17‐19)
    1. Consider the context and the moral law vs the ceremonial law
    2. This distinction is from a Christian era / Gentile perspective
      • a. The Jews would never had made such a distinction
      • b. The issue reverts to Holy Spirit guidance
    3. Jesus IS the fulfillment of the Law in His Person in perfect obedience
      to the Father by the Holy Spirit in every instance
  • C. This gives rise to the proverbs about patching old garments and storing new
    wine. Life in and by the power of the Holy Spirit is incompatible with life lived by
    the rule of law. The Law was a yoke which neither the Pharisees nor the people
    could bear (Acts 15:5‐11). Jesus is demonstrating the life under the leadership of
    the Holy Spirit.

Small Group Discussion Questions

  1. 1. What is the principle point about the new wine in old wineskins?
  2. 2. What is the relationship of a believer to the Old Testament Law?
  3. 3. Paul says the Law is good if one use it lawfully (I Tim 1:3‐11). In the context of his statement, what is the lawful use of the Law?
  4. 4. Does it surprise you that Jesus intentionally provokes conflict? Explain your answer. When is it appropriate to provoke religious conflict?
  5. 5. Think like a Pharisee… What is their real issue? Why are they so upset with Jesus’ actions? What is their goal?
  6. 6. Could Jesus have waited until the end of the Sabbath to heal the man with the withered hand? Why do you suppose He called him out in the middle of Sabbath worship to heal his hand?