Mark 14:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

NIV: "Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

NASB: Truly I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again, until that day when I drink it, new, in the kingdom of God.'

CSB: Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

NLT: I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.'

KJV: Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

NKJV: Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

The "fruit of the vine" is wine. Jesus acknowledged to the Pharisees and scribes that He drank wine (Luke 7:28–35), and He made wine for a wedding (John 2:6–11). This does not mean that Christians must drink alcohol or even that they should drink alcohol, just that we may. We may not get drunk, use it to escape the worries of life, or drink if it leads us to ungodly behavior (Proverbs 20:1; Ephesians 5:18). We should not drink if we think we're prone to addiction (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19) or if it would tempt someone around us to act against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9–13). But if no biblical restrictions are being broken, it is not for another believer to condemn someone who chooses to drink (Romans 14:1–4).

And, yet, that's not what this verse is about. The Bible says that wine is for celebration (Psalm 104:14–15). Jesus and the disciples are celebrating the Passover which falls the day before the great feast shared on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. But, by that day, Jesus will be buried in the tomb. Even on the cross, when offered wine mixed with a mild analgesic, Jesus refuses it (Matthew 27:34).

The traditional Passover meal is a long, liturgical affair. Throughout the various statements and courses of food, four cups of wine are drunk, representing the four phases of redemption in Exodus 6:6–7: "I will bring you out…I will deliver you from slavery to them…I will redeem you…I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God." Some scholars say Jesus is making His statement of abstinence between the third and fourth cups. He is about to fulfill the first three promises on the cross, but the fourth will not be until the end times. Jesus promises to drink wine again in a time and place suitable for celebration. It may be at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–10), likely after the rapture ("…take you to be my people…"), when He will finally be "married" to the church.

Mark 14:22–25 occurs almost 1500 years after the event that Passover commemorates. Here, Jesus radically repurposes the God-given tradition, creating the Lord's Supper we celebrate today. Instead of escaping Egypt, we escape hell. Instead of gifts from Egyptian neighbors (Exodus 11:2), we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Instead of sacrificing a lamb, we remember the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Matthew 26:26–29 is nearly identical; Luke 22:14–23 adds a bit more detail; John doesn't mention the Lord's Supper, but Paul goes into more detail about how it should be observed (1 Corinthians 11:23–32).

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.