Saying 47: Two Horses, Two Masters, New Wine
No one rides two horses or draws two bows; no servant serves two masters. Nobody drinks old wine and immediately wants new; new wine is not put in old skins, and an old patch is not sewn on a new coat.
Commentary
Four images for one demand: undivided commitment. Thomas reverses Mark’s patch — an old patch on a new garment rather than the other way round — which is arguably the more logical version.
Parallels
Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; Mark 2:21–22
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 37 Saying 37: When You Strip Without Shame Asked when he will appear to them, Jesus answers: when you undress without being ashamed, and trample your clothes underfoot like little…
- Saying 114 Saying 114: Simon Peter and Mary Simon Peter says Mary should leave, because women are not worthy of life. Jesus answers that he will guide her so that…
- Saying 11 Saying 11: This Heaven Will Pass Away This heaven and the one above it will pass away; the dead are not alive and the living will not die. When…
- Saying 23 Saying 23: One From a Thousand I will choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as a single one.
- Saying 94 Saying 94: The One Who Knocks Whoever seeks will find; whoever knocks will have it opened for them.
- Saying 73 Saying 73: The Harvest Is Large The harvest is large but the workers are few; beg the owner to send out more workers.