Subject: Was the wine Jesus drank fermented? |
Bible Note: Hi Tim, Tim argues that the “wine” spoken of in some Bible texts was ordinary grape juice. McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia, however, reminds us that “the Bible makes no distinction between intoxicating and non-intoxicating wines—never refers or alludes to such a distinction.” And seems to me that this is also consistent with the Bible. Notice: Genesis 9:21; Luke 1:15; Deuteronomy 14:26; Proverbs 31:4, 6. If I had some texts of the eleventh example (aciyc) translated as wine, I would review it. The same with the tenth example (chemer), is it translated wine? The second Hebrew word (tiyrowsh) and (yayin) the first Hebrew word Tim gave are commented on as examples of non-fermented beverages. Again, Tim give me the specific verses and let me look at them. Interestingly, Jesus’ first miracle was to convert water into wine. The Bible account says: “When, now, the director of the feast tasted the . . . wine but did not know what its source was, . . . [he] called the bridegroom and said to him: ‘Every other man puts out the fine wine first, and when people are intoxicated, the inferior. You have reserved the fine wine until now.’” (John 2:9, 10) Yes, “the fine wine” Jesus produced was real wine. Self-righteous religious leaders in Jesus’ day criticized him for occasionally drinking wine. Said Jesus: “John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, but you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of man has come eating and drinking, but you say, ‘Look! A man gluttonous and given to drinking wine!’” (Luke 7:33, 34) What would have been the point of contrast between Jesus’ drinking and John’s not drinking if Jesus had merely been drinking nonalcoholic grape juice? Remember, it was said of John in contrast, that he was to “drink no wine and strong drink at all.”—Luke 1:15. Obviously, Jesus did not condemn the drinking of alcoholic beverages in moderation. In his day the drinking of wine was a part of the celebration of the Passover. And real wine continued to be a part of the Lord’s Evening Meal, which replaced the Passover. Truthfinder |