ἀσκός

a wine-skin

Definition

ἀσκός refers to a container made from animal skin, typically a goat or sheep hide, used for storing and transporting liquids like wine, water, or oil. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes a 'wine-skin' or 'leather bottle'. The word is used metaphorically by Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels to illustrate the incompatibility of old and new religious systems, where new wine requires new wineskins to avoid bursting (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37-38). This imagery highlights the need for fresh structures to contain new spiritual realities.

Biblical Usage

This word appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) within parallel accounts of Jesus' teaching. It is used in a metaphorical context to contrast old and new covenants or practices. In all four occurrences, Jesus employs the analogy of new wine bursting old wineskins to explain why His disciples do not fast like John's disciples or the Pharisees, emphasizing that His new message cannot be contained within old religious forms (e.g., Luke 5:37-38).

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *sek-, meaning 'to cut' or 'to sever', relating to the process of skinning an animal. The Greek form ἀσκός is cognate with Latin 'ascus' and possibly related to words for 'hide' or 'bag'. It does not derive from ἀ- (not) as sometimes mistakenly thought; that is a folk etymology. The term straightforwardly denotes a skin vessel.

Semantic Range

The word is theologically significant as Jesus uses it to illustrate a key principle of the kingdom of God: the new life brought by Christ cannot be constrained by old, rigid religious structures. This metaphor underscores the discontinuity between the old covenant and the new covenant inaugurated by Jesus. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that the 'wineskins' represent institutional or traditional forms, while the 'new wine' symbolizes the dynamic, transformative power of the gospel.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, wineskins were everyday objects made from whole animal skins, sewn at the legs and neck. New wine, still fermenting, would expand and exert pressure; old wineskins became brittle and would rupture under this force, causing loss. This common knowledge made Jesus' analogy immediately understandable to His audience. Unlike modern bottles, these skins were flexible but had a limited lifespan, highlighting the contrast between the old and new.

ἀγγεῖον (angeion, G30) — a general term for any vessel or container, not specifically made of skin. κάδος (kados, G2765) — a jar or pail, often for water, typically made of clay or metal.

Word Details

Scripture References