Matthew 9:16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.
The setting
Capernaum, Israel (~29 AD). Jesus uses everyday clothing repair to explain spiritual transformation...
The emotion here: patient teaching with gentle warning
The original word
agnaphos (ἄγναφος) — unfulled, unshrunk cloth that contracts when wet
Why it matters
Ancient cloth had to be pre-shrunk or it would tear existing fabric when washed
Read with care
What most readers miss in Matthew 9:16
The 'worse hole' happens because the new patch pulls away more of the old fabric
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about not mixing old and new traditions, but Jesus is warning that partial transformation often makes things worse than before.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Matthew 9:16
Bible Genome reading
Matthew 9:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Matthew 9:16 comes from the book of Matthew, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is starting, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include change, wisdom, newness. Notable phrases: unshrunk cloth; old garment; worse hole.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same starting
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1
“God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.”
— Genesis 1:3
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and t…”
— Acts 1:8
“Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receiv…”
— Acts 2:38
Your reflection
What does Matthew 9:16 mean to you, today?
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