Did Jesus ever drink wine / alcohol?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Wine can be used for good (Psalm 104:14-15) or for evil (Proverbs 20:1). Jesus lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22), so although He likely drank wine (John 2:1-11), He never abused it. As such, accusations of Jesus getting drunk are grossly false (Luke 7:33-34). In fact, He spoke against drunkenness, warning it could hinder being ready for His return (Luke 21:34-36; Luke 12:45-47). We should reflect a Christ-like attitude about alcohol consumption. For example, we should avoid it if we will be tempted to get drunk (Romans 14:14), and we should show love to our brothers and sisters in Christ by avoiding it if doing so is in their best interest (Romans 14:21). A believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), so it must be diligently protected from sins, such as debauchery (Ephesians 5:18). The Apostle Paul once said: “‘All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be dominated by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). If we drink alcohol, we should not let it dominate our actions. We should also consider if it will help or hinder our relationship with God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalms describes wine as something to "gladden the heart of man" (Psalm 104:14-15). Christians may enjoy a glass of wine or an alcoholic beverage, but all drinking should be done in moderation and never to get drunk.
• While wine is beneficial in moderation, we should not be dominated or “led” by it, as this can contribute to drunkenness, recklessness, and other sins (Proverbs 20:1). While Jesus likely consumed a little wine, He was sinless, so He never abused alcohol.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Scripture implies that Jesus did drink alcohol in Luke 7:33-34 since religious leaders falsely accused Him of being a drunkard: "For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"
• Jesus warned against drunkenness because it prevents believers from being ready for His return (Luke 12:45-47; 21:34-36).
• Traditional Jewish wedding celebrations included drinking wine, and Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), so it is very possible He drank wine at this event.
• If we have previously had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol consumption, it may be best to abstain from drinking it to prevent the temptation to get drunk (Romans 14:14). Similarly, if we know someone who struggles with the temptation to abuse alcohol, we should refrain from drinking in their presence (Romans 14:21).
• The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and as such, our bodies are to be seen as something to be stewarded in a godly way: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Keeping this in mind, we should not over drink as this is not stewarding the Holy Spirit’s temple (our body) well.
• We should not allow any addiction to dominate us and that includes an addiction to alcohol (1 Corinthians 6:12).
• Instead of being drunk, we are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
• In spite of the religious leaders’ false accusations of Jesus, He was neither gluttonous nor a drunkard because He lived a totally sinless life (1 Peter 2:22).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While the Bible warns against alcohol abuse in many texts, it also discusses wine in a positive light. The Bible explicitly forbids drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3; Luke 21:34; Proverbs 23:20), but drinking wine or alcohol is not inherently a sin. In the Bible, the Nazirites are the only group who are instructed to never drink wine/alcohol (Numbers 6:1-4). Jesus was a "Nazarene," meaning He was from the town of Nazareth, but He was not a Nazirite (Luke 18:37). Traditional Jewish wedding celebrations included drinking wine, and Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). It is, therefore, safe to assume He drank wine in moderation. Jesus also partook of the Passover cup which is traditionally wine—-the Bible even refers to it as the "fruit of the vine" (Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:17-18). Although Jesus drank wine, this doesn’t mean He participated in drunkenness or gluttony as these are clearly condemned in Scripture (Proverbs 20:1; 23:2; 25:16, 27; Ephesians 5:18). Since we are called to be like Christ (Phillipians 2:5-11), we must not abuse our relationship with alcohol but rather steward our bodies in godliness just as Jesus did.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus likely drank wine but never got drunk.
• Drunkenness is sinful; moderate drinking is not.
• Christians should honor God and others in their alcohol use.

REFLECT

• How do you interact with those who believe drinking alcohol, even moderately, is a sin?
• As a believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how do you honor that in your habits and lifestyle choices?
• What sins in your life are at risk of dominating you? How do you protect against that?

ENGAGE

• What Bible passages are most effective to show those who believe drinking is inherently sinful?
• How can Christians model moderation in a culture that often celebrates excess?
• What can Christians do to protect brothers and sisters whose temptation is alcohol?