What does Jesus mean by "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine" in Luke 22:18? The Text in Question “For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:18) Immediate Literary Context Luke places this saying at the beginning of the Last Supper. In verse 16 Jesus already vowed not to eat the Passover again “until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Verse 18 parallels that pledge and tightens the focus to the cup of wine. Matthew 26:29 and Mark 14:25 record the same statement almost verbatim, underscoring its centrality to the Passion narrative. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration First-century amphorae bearing the stamped inscription “wine of Kition” have been unearthed in Jerusalem’s Upper City, confirming the large-scale import and consumption of wine at Passover. Excavations of dining triclinium rooms beneath today’s Cenacle preserve first-century paving, giving plausible geographic context to Luke’s account. Papyrus 75 (≈ AD 175-225) and Codices Vaticanus and Sinaiticus all transmit Luke 22 intact, demonstrating textual stability. Covenant Framework Wine in Scripture seals covenant (Genesis 14:18; Exodus 24:6-8 analogously with blood). When Jesus immediately adds, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (v. 20), He redefines the Passover cup as His imminent sacrifice. His refusal to drink anticipates the completion of that covenant at His return, when He will again share covenant fellowship face-to-face with redeemed humanity. Eschatological Banquet Anticipation Isaiah 25:6 foretells “a banquet of aged wine… for all peoples.” Revelation 19:9 calls it “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Jesus’ abstinence functions as a pledge that the festal cup will be consummated only when the kingdom is openly manifested—an event He guarantees by His resurrection (Luke 24:39-43 shows the resurrected Jesus eating but never drinking wine). Nazarite-Like Vow yet Unique Numbers 6 describes Nazarites who abstain from grape products “until the days of their separation are fulfilled.” Jesus, the greater Holy One, enters a self-imposed, open-ended consecration stretching from the cross to the Parousia. The sour wine/vinegar offered on the cross (Luke 23:36; John 19:29-30) was a Roman analgesic, not festive Passover wine, and was tasted only “when He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished’” (John 19:30). The vow’s intent—to forgo joyous fellowship wine—remained intact. Salvation-Historical Significance By refusing wine, the symbol of joy and rest (Psalm 104:15), Jesus embraces the cup of wrath in our stead (Isaiah 51:17; Matthew 26:39). His next celebratory sip awaits the completed redemption of His people. Believers therefore partake of Communion “proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26), living in hopeful tension between cross and crown. Response to Common Objections • “Jesus drank after resurrection (Luke 24:42).” – The text lists broiled fish; no wine appears. • “He invalidated the Passover command.” – Exodus 12 provided for one inaugural Passover; subsequent memorial forms could adapt (e.g., Hezekiah’s second-month Passover, 2 Chronicles 30). As Lord of the covenant, Jesus lawfully instituted the fulfilled rite. • “The saying is late church liturgy, not historical.” – Early, multiple, independent attestations (Luke, Matthew, Mark; plus 1 Corinthians 11 tradition) satisfy the criterion of multiple attestation used in historical analysis of the resurrection. Integration with Intelligent Design Perspective The precision with which vine biochemistry converts sunlight into fermentable sugars showcases irreducibly complex pathways. That same design now serves a sacramental purpose ordained by the Creator, underscoring Romans 1:20: created things make divine attributes visible and leave humanity “without excuse.” Culminating Hope The pledge “until the kingdom of God comes” hinges on the bodily resurrection of Christ—historically attested by enemy attestation to the empty tomb (Matthew 28:11-15) and multiple eyewitness groups (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Because that resurrection occurred in space-time, the future banquet is likewise real, not metaphorical. Summary “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine” signals (1) a self-imposed vow of consecration, (2) the inauguration of the new covenant, and (3) a guaranteed eschatological celebration with His redeemed. It ties the Last Supper to the promise of the kingdom, reinforcing Christian hope, motivating holy living, and providing continuous liturgical remembrance until He comes. |
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