The OLD WINESKINS were not the teachings of the Old Testament but were instead the rabbinical traditions of the Pharisees that had come to overshadow (and often contradict) the divinely revealed truths of the Old Testament Law. Jesus’ new and internal gospel of forgiveness and cleansing cannot be attached to the old and external traditions of self-righteousness and ritual. Jesus shows mercy upon his disciples through his presence and guidance. The disciples were like new wineskins unable to fully hold the richness of the new covenant of the Kingdom of Heaven. The only suitable container for new wine is a fresh wineskin. The old skins become too brittle and dry to hold new wine.