Studies 1 to 2
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PER075
The parables of the new cloth and the new wine
The parables of the new cloth and the new wine illustrate the radical break between Judaism and Christianity. Spoken by Jesus in reply to John the Baptist's disciples about fasting, they affirm that the old and the new cannot be mixed. The change required is a complete transformation rather than a reform, inviting each person to choose the Teacher they will follow.
Mark 2.21-22 (King James Version) :No 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.And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER113
John the Baptist’s question
Imprisoned, John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus whether he is indeed the awaited Messiah. Jesus answers through his deeds—healings, resurrections and proclamation to the poor—drawing on Isaiah 35.5. The article analyses the divergence between the two ministries, Matthew’s editorial reasoning and the powerful Christological implication in the prophetic reference: Jesus is God coming to save his people (Isa 35.4).
Matthew 8.5-13 (King James Version) :And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org