Did Jesus drink Alcohol?
I’ve seen videos and heard statements by some Protestant pastors that claim that Jesus did not drink wine with alcohol in it nor would he give wine to people for he would be contradicting himself. They claim that wine in the Bible means grape juice pretty much. First I want to start off with Luke 7:33-34
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
John the Baptist was instructed by his parents through the Archangel Gabriel that he should abstain from wine or any strong drink. “Lk 1:15”
Why would John have to abstain from grape juice when it’s mentioned in the same sentence as strong drink. Jesus referencing that John didn’t partake in drinking wine but that he himself did helps make this point. Jesus goes on to say that he is called a drunkard because he drinks wine. Now, I believe for him to be called a drunkard he would have to be drinking wine with Alcohol in it and not just grape juice (Welch’s).
Another proof that the wine spoken of in the Bible is fermented wine, is the passage in John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
when Jesus was given the sour wine or vinegar depending on translation it can only mean one thing. Wine becomes vinegar once the Alcohol reacts with oxygen, so for the wine to be sour or become vinegar like scripture says it has to have (Alcohol) in it.
The next question I’m sure you are wondering is… does this mean we can be drunk? The answer to that is, the Bible speaks many times on not being a drunkard. Alcohol is a gift from God meant to consume in moderation, but in excess can lead to temptation and sin. St. John Chrysostom said “Let there be no drunkenness; for wine is the work of God, but drunkenness is the work of the devil.”
Let’s see what the catechism says about drinking. “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. - The Fifth Commandment, CCC 2290”.
I’ll do another blog on tabaco later on (which I think is fine) we all know Food and medicine are good things unless used in excess. I believe wine falls into the same category as food and medicine in that it can be a good thing if used properly and never abused.
I hope this clarified some confusion on whether or not Jesus drank real wine with alcohol in it and how that pertains to us as followers. I will add, if you have problems with alcohol then I pray you get the help you need to recover from it and beat the addiction.
