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Matthew 9:14-17

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14Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

15Jesus 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.

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.

17Neither 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.”

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1)       According to verse 14 what did John’s disciples ask Jesus?

o   They asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast.

o   While

o   They and the Pharisees fasted often.

 

2)       In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 15 was it appropriate for his disciples to fast when he was with them and why?

o   No, because

§  It was a joyous occasion.

§  When

§  Jesus was with his disciples.

§  Just as

§  It was a joyous occasion.

§  When

§  The bridegroom was with his guests.

 

3)       In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 15 when would his disciples fast?

o   They would fast on the day Jesus was taken from them.

 

4)       According to what Jesus said in verse 16 what would happen if someone sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment?

o   The patch would

§  Pull away from the garment.

§  And thus make the tear worse.

 

5)       What does the old garment in verse 16  represent?

o   It represents the first covenant in the Old Testament of the bible that was becoming old.

 

6)       Which covenant did John’s disciples and the Pharisees belong in?

o   They belonged in the first covenant.

 

7)       What does the unshrunk cloth in verse 16 represent?

o   It represents Jesus’ disciples.

 

8)       What does the tear on the old garment to be patched in verse 16  indicate?

o   It indicates the disintegration of the first covenant that was in progress in Jesus’ time.

 

9)       In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 16  what is requiring Jesus’ disciples to fast as people in the first covenant would likened to?

o   It is likened to sewing a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.

 

10)   What would happen to the first covenant if Jesus’ disciples returned to the practice of the first covenant?

o   It would cause greater disintegration of the first covenant.

o   Just as

o   Sewing a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment would cause a greater tear.

 

11)   According to what Jesus said in verse 17 what would happen if someone pours new wine into old wineskins?

o   It would

§  Cause the wineskins to burst.

§  And thus ruin both

Ø  The wine. 

Ø  And the wineskins.

 

12)   What does the new wineskin in verse 17 represent?

o   It represents the new covenant.

o   That

o   Jesus established with his blood shed on the cross.

 

13)   What does the old wineskin in verse 17 represent?

o   It represents the first covenant in the Old Testament of the bible that was becoming old.

 

14)   What does the new wine in verse 17 represent?

o   It represents Jesus’ disciples.

 

15)   Which covenant did Jesus’ disciples belong in?

o   They belonged in the new covenant.

 

16)   In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 17 what is requiring his disciples to fast as people in the first covenant would likened to?

o   It is likened to pouring new wine into old wineskins.

 

17)   What would happen to the first covenant and Jesus’ disciples if they returned to the practice of the first covenant?

o   It would cause

§  The disintegration of the first covenant.

§  And the destruction of Jesus’ disciples spiritually.

o   Just as

o   Pouring new wine into old wineskins would

§  Cause the wineskins to burst.

§  And thus ruin both

Ø  The wine. 

Ø  And the wineskins.

 

18)   According to what Jesus said in verse 17 how can both the new wine and the new wineskins be preserved?

o   New wine should be poured into new wineskins.

 

19)   Would the first covenant suffer greater disintegration if John’s disciples and the Pharisees continued the practice of the first covenant?

o   No.

 

20)   What can we conclude about the coexistence and compatibility of the new covenant and the first covenant in Jesus’ time?

o   The new covenant and the first covenant in Jesus’ time

§  Could coexist

§  But remained incompatible.

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Matthew 9:14-17

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