S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

John chapter 2 records Jesus performing a miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. At the wedding, the hosts ran out of wine. Jesus' mother, Mary, asks Jesus to intervene, and He does so, reluctant...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Pastor Shafer Supporter

[As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all] Just as the new wine or sweet juice in the cluster is valued and preserved for use, so God will preserve a remnant of Israel to be blessed in the eternal society under the Messiah (Isa. 65:8-9). The juice of grapes being called wine while still in the cluster shows that all wine referred to was not necessarily fermented or intoxicating.

Isaiah 65:8-9 (KJV)8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. 9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 

References to "Wine" in the New Testament:
1. New wine or newly-made wine as grape juice (Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-39). The "new wine" of Acts 2:13 refers to sweet wine. The Greek word, oinos (NT:3631) is sometimes used in Greek literature of fermented wine.
2. It was "mixed wine" (Mark 15:23).
3. It was contrasted with "strong drink" (Luke 1:15).
4. It was used as medicine (Luke 10:34)
5. Jesus made wine (John 2:3-10; John 4:46).
6. Paul's advised against it for Christians (Romans 14:21).
7. God's warning against drunkenness by wine (Ephes. 5:18), excess of wine (1 Peter 4:3), and one not to be given to wine (1 Tim. 3:3,8; Titus 1:7; Titus 2:3).
8. Timothy was advised to use a little for his infirmity (1 Tim. 5:23, note).
9. "Wine" was used figuratively (Rev. 14:8,10; Rev. 16:19; Rev. 17:2; Rev. 18:3).
10. The ruthless destruction of it was forbidden (Rev. 6:6). Cp. Rev. 18:13.
"Wine" is used of both fermented and unfermented drink in Scripture. It speaks of the juice of grapes as "wine" while it is still on the cluster (Isaiah 65:8), and calls it "new wine" when it is just pressed out of the grapes, making it impossible to decide in every case whether the reference is to that which is fermented or unfermented. 

One thing is certain:
A drunkard shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13; 2 Cor. 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21).

So I Ask Why Would The Son Of God Give What God Is Against? 
John 2:9-10 (KJV) 

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 

Jesus Makes The Difference Even IN The Water And Man Made Wine

The juice of grapes being called wine while still in the cluster shows that all wine referred to was not necessarily fermented or intoxicating.

June 18 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck Supporter

The wine of Jesus' time had significantly less alcohol content than what is produced today, probably no more than that of today's lite beer. 

Regarding changing water into wine, it is my personal belief that the molecular structure wasn't altered, but wine from a different source (perhaps the palace) was substituted by the angels for the water in the jars. Likewise, the manna eaten by the Israelites originally came from the granaries of Egypt before being processed by angels and distributed over the Israelite's camp. This doesn't mean that both shouldn't be regarded as memorable miracles of God; both also contain prophetic implications for the future when Christians will be severely persecuted by the Beast.

April 17 2014 • 10 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Robin Hill Supporter

Unlike weddings of today, the wedding feast went on typically for a whole week. This was to allow for other relatives/friends to come from a far, at times convenient to them. So, when Jesus turned the water into wine, it suggests that it was later in the week when supplies were running low, NOT that people had drunk all the wine in one sitting and were drunk! 

Regarding Christians and drinking, this is something we all have to work out for ourselves. I however, think that if it were true that people with the Holy Spirit shouldn't drink as it 'pollutes the temple' (as some say) then John the baptist would have 'come drinking' and Jesus (being VERY HOLY) would have come not drinking! Instead the scriptures attest to the opposite! We must still be careful of the 'weaker brother' though. If someone does not drink, then don't drink around them.

June 17 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice?

Based on the biblical account in John 2:1-11, Jesus turned water into wine, not grape juice. The Greek word oinos in the text typically refers to fermented, alcoholic wine, the standard beverage at Jewish weddings, which the banquet manager described as of high quality.

Since each jar was "able to hold two or three liquid measures" of water, Jesus' miracle involved a great volume of wine​—perhaps 390 litres (105 gallons)! (John 2:6) Why such a huge quantity? Jesus was not promoting drunkenness, something God condemns. (Ephesians 5:18) Rather, he was demonstrating godly generosity. Since wine was a common beverage, any surplus could be used on other occasions.​—Compare Matthew 14:14-20; 15:32-37.

Jesus was moved by his mother's concern and by the couple's plight as they prepared to get married. He cared about their feelings and wished to spare them embarrassment. 

At a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, Jesus performed his first miracle. The number of guests may have been greater than expected. But whatever the case, the wine ran out. 

Jesus knew that hospitality was a duty. So he miraculously turned some 100 gallons (380 L) of water into" fine wine” (Read John 2:3, 6-11.) Was Jesus obligated to perform this miracle? No. He cared about people and, by being generous, was imitating his heavenly Father.

In their culture, such a lapse of customary hospitality would shame the family, marring the occasion terribly. 

One Bible scholar explains: "Hospitality in the East was a sacred duty... Real hospitality, especially at a wedding feast, demanded a superabundance. If the supplies had [run out] at a wedding feast, the family and the young couple would never have lived down the shame."

This incident set the stage for Jesus' first miracle.​—John 2:1-3.

The bible says the following: 2nd Timothy 3:16 ESV: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness."

This being the case, if God inspires all scripture, then the account recorded in John 2:9 must be true because God would not have anything untrue recorded in His Holy Word.

May 07 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report