Modes of Renewal (Mk. 2:21-22)

Under a deceptively simple truism lie metaphors of the Word (cf. Mk. 13:31) and the Kingdom (cf. Ahijahʼs mime at 1 Ki. 11). In Hebrew idiom ʽgarmentʼ means disposition and to change it means to change roles. The human being decays like dry skins and moth-eaten garments, to which the old creation and its creatures are compared. The Messiah provides the long awaited substitute, to which pattern believers will conform. Neither is Christ to be ʽrentʼ, nor shall he ʽpatchʼ the old civilization. Concealed Christology and realized eschatology turn Mk. 2:21-22 into a proclamation, and Lk. 5:31-39 is a faithful midrash on it. The double parable has been artfully and impressively fitted onto the Fasting saying: the messianic banquet is alluded to in all. To appeal to Is. 34:4; 40:22; 53:8; 61:10; Job. 9:8; Pss. 101:26; 102: 26-28; Mk. 14:25; Eph. 6:13-17; Jas. 5:2 and perhaps Jb. 13:28 is to tender no ʽmind candyʼ, and Rom. 13:12, 14 rightly prefigures our parables.