Mark 14:25
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This declaration occurs Thursday evening, likely April AD 30 or 33, in an upper room in Jerusalem during Passover. The Passover meal commemorated Israel's exodus from Egypt and anticipated messianic deliverance. Jesus transforms this Jewish feast into the Christian Eucharist, pointing to Himself as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). First-century Passover celebrations included four cups of wine representing different aspects of God's deliverance. The eschatological banquet was a common Jewish expectation, drawn from prophetic imagery (Isaiah 25:6-9). Jesus appropriates this imagery, identifying Himself as the host of this future banquet. The early church understood communion as both memorial of Christ's death and anticipation of His return, crying "Maranatha" ("Our Lord, come!") at the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' vow to abstain from wine until the kingdom demonstrate His confidence in resurrection despite facing crucifixion?
- What does the promise of future fellowship at God's table teach us about the nature of eternal life and heaven?
- How should communion today function both as memorial of Christ's death and anticipation of His return?
- In what ways does Jesus transform the Passover meal from celebrating past deliverance to instituting the New Covenant?
- What does Christ's promise to drink wine "new" in the kingdom reveal about continuity and transformation in the age to come?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus speaks these solemn words during the Last Supper, instituting the New Covenant in His blood. The phrase "Verily I say unto you" (amēn legō hymin, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν) marks this as an authoritative divine pronouncement. Jesus' vow to abstain from wine until the kingdom's consummation demonstrates His complete commitment to accomplishing redemption. The "fruit of the vine" refers to wine in the Passover meal, now transformed into the symbol of Christ's blood shed for covenant ratification. The word "new" (kainon, καινόν) doesn't mean merely new in time but new in quality—the wine of the consummated kingdom will be unlike anything in this present age. This points forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), when Christ will feast with His redeemed people in the perfected kingdom. Jesus' statement reveals His confident faith in resurrection and kingdom fulfillment despite imminent crucifixion. Hours before betrayal and death, He speaks of future celebration with His disciples. This promise anchors Christian hope in the certainty that Christ's suffering leads to glory, that the cross precedes the crown, and that believers will share table fellowship with Jesus in the fully realized kingdom of God.