Sacramental Significance of Wine in Christian Tradition

Wine holds significant symbolic and sacramental meaning within Christian tradition, rooted deeply in biblical narratives and practices. The Bible frequently mentions wine, tracing its origins to Noah ^[2] and its cultivation throughout ancient Palestine ^{[3, 5]}. It was made primarily from grape juice ^[1], though pomegranate wine is also noted ^[2]. The production involved treading grapes in a press ^[1].

In the Old Testament, wine was an integral part of daily life and religious rituals. It was used as a drink offering, described as a "soothing fragrance to Jehovah" ^{[6, 8]}. The abundance of vineyards in regions like Canaan, Judah, and Moab highlights its importance ^[1]. Josephus records a tradition that God bestows the fruit of the vine for good, as a pledge of fidelity and a source of cheer ^[10].

The New Testament continues to feature wine prominently, particularly in the teachings and ministry of Jesus. Jesus himself is referred to as "the true vine" in John 15:1, a metaphor for his relationship with his disciples and their spiritual fruitfulness ^{[12, 13]}. This imagery emphasizes Christ as the source of spiritual life and sustenance for believers.

One of the most significant sacramental uses of wine is in the institution of the Lord's Supper, or Eucharist. During the Last Supper, Jesus shared wine with his disciples, declaring it to be "my blood of the New Testament" ^[14]. This act established wine as a symbol of the new covenant, ratified by Christ's sacrificial blood, which brings blessings such as peace, pardon, and righteousness ^[14]. John Gill notes that this alludes to the first covenant, which was ratified with the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8), but the new covenant is confirmed by Christ's blood ^[14]. Jesus also stated that he would not drink of the "fruit of the vine" again until the kingdom of God comes, which Gill interprets as referring to Christ's resurrection, exaltation, the outpouring of the Spirit, and the ultimate state of heavenly bliss ^[16].

Beyond its direct sacramental use, wine also appears in parables and teachings. Jesus' parable of new wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17, Luke 5:38) illustrates the incompatibility of new teachings or spiritual realities with outdated forms or traditions ^{[7, 9]}. John Gill interprets the "new wine" as the grace of God and Gospel truths, which are best received by those who are spiritually renewed ("new bottles") ^[17]. He also notes that "old wine is better" (Luke 5:39) is a proverbial expression, suggesting that those accustomed to the "old wine of their carnal lusts" may not desire the "new wine of the Gospel" ^[15].

The Bible also contains warnings about the misuse of wine. Ephesians 5:18 cautions against drunkenness, stating that being "filled with wine, wherein is excess," leads to ruin ^[11]. Instead, believers are exhorted to "be filled with the Spirit" ^[11]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown clarify that the warning is against the "excess" of wine, not wine itself when used appropriately ^[11]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Revelation, describes the "wine of the wrath of God" as a metaphor for divine judgment against those who have indulged in spiritual idolatry, likening it to a poisoned cup for criminals ^[18].

Historically, vinegar, or "sour wine," was a common drink, particularly among Roman soldiers ^[4]. This "sour wine" was offered to Christ on the cross, not in derision, but out of compassion to assuage his thirst, fulfilling a prophecy in Psalm 69:21 ^[4].

Thus, wine in Christian tradition carries a multifaceted significance, ranging from its practical role in ancient life and its symbolic representation of spiritual truths to its central place in the sacrament of communion and its use as a metaphor for both divine blessing and judgment.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wine — First mention of -- Ge 9:20,21. Was made of The juice of the grape. -- Ge 49:11. The juice of the pomegranate. -- Song 8:2. First mode of making, notice -- Ge 40:11. Generally made by treading the grapes in a press -- Ne 13:15; Isa 63:2,3. Refining of, alluded to -- Isa 25:6. Improved by age -- Lu 5:39. Places celebrated for Canaan in general. -- De 33:28. Possessions of Judah. -- Ge 49:8,11,12. Lebanon. -- Ho 14:7. Helbon. -- Eze 27:18. Assyria. -- 2Ki 18:32; Isa 36:17. Moab. -- Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:32,33. Many kinds of -- Ne 5:18. Sweet, esteemed for flavour ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Wine — The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [[1296]Vine] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Song of Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Vine — One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Gen. 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Num. 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), H”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Vinegar — Heb. hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Ps. 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matt. 27:34). This was the common sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst. Prov. 10:26 shows that there was also a stronger vinegar, which was not fit for drinking. The comparison, "vinegar upon nitre," probably means "vinegar upon soda" (as in the marg. of the R.V.), which then effervesces.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Vine — the well-known valuable plant (vitis vinifera) very frequently referred to in the Old and New Testaments, and cultivated from the earliest times. The first mention of this plant occurs in (Genesis 9:20,21) That it was abundantly cultivated in Egypt is evident from the frequent representations on the monuments, as well as from the scriptural allusions. (Genesis 40:9-11; Psalms 78:47) The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced, which were sometimes carried on a staff between two men,”
Numbers “Numbers 15:7 (LITV) — and wine for a drink offering, a third part of a hin. You shall bring it near, a soothing fragrance to Jehovah.”
Matthew “Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.” -- Matthew 9:17”
Numbers “You shall prepare wine for the drink offering, the fourth part of a hin, with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb. -- Numbers 15:5”
Luke “But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved. -- Luke 5:38”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 2: to restore him to it again; for he let him know that God bestows the fruit of the vine upon men for good; which wine is poured out to him, and is the pledge of fidelity and mutual confidence among men; and puts an end to their quarrels, takes away passion and grief out of the minds of them that use it, and makes them cheerful. "Thou sayest that thou didst squeeze this wine from three clusters of grapes with thine hands, and that the king received it: know, therefore, that this vision is for thy good, and foretells a release from ”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:18: excess--worthless, ruinous, reckless prodigality. wherein--not in the wine itself when used aright (Ti1 5:23), but in the "excess" as to it. but be filled with the Spirit--The effect in inspiration was that the person was "filled" with an ecstatic exhilaration, like that caused by wine; hence the two are here connected (compare Act 2:13-18). Hence arose the abstinence from wine of many of the prophets, for example, John the Baptist, namely, in order to keep distinct before the world the ecstasy caused by the Spirit, from that caused by wine. So ”
John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 15:1: Here Christ discourses concerning the fruit, the fruits of the Spirit, which his disciples were to bring forth, under the similitude of a vine. Observe here, I. The doctrine of this similitude; what notion we ought to have of it. 1. That Jesus Christ is the vine, the true vine. It is an instance of the humility of Christ that he is pleased to speak of himself under low and humble comparisons. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star, compares himself to a vine. The church, which is Christ mystical, is a vine (Psa 80:8), so is Christ, who ”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 15 (introduction): I am the true vine,.... The fruit of which he had been just speaking of at supper with his disciples; and then informs them, that he himself is the vine from whence that fruit must be expected, which should be partook of by them in his Father's kingdom; for though Christ may be compared to a vine for its tenderness, weakness, and being subject to cuttings and prunings; all which may express his outward meanness in his birth, parentage, and education, Which exposed him to the contempt of men; the weakness of the human nature in itself, his being encompassed ”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 26:27: For this is my blood of the New Testament,.... That is, the red wine in the cup, was an emblem and representation of his precious blood, whereby was exhibited a new dispensation, or administration of the covenant of grace; and by which it was ratified and confirmed; and whereby all the blessings of it, such as peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life, come to the people of God: the allusion is to the first covenant, and the book of it being sprinkled with the blood of bulls, and therefore called the blood of the covenant, Exo 24:8. But the second covenant, or ”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 5:38: No man also having drunk old wine,.... "Wine", though not in the text, is rightly supplied by our translators, as it is by the Syriac and Persic versions: straightway desireth new; new wine: for he saith, the old is better; old wine is more grateful, more generous, and more reviving to the spirits, than new wine is. This is a proverbial expression, and which Luke only records; which may be applied to natural men, who having drunk the old wine of their carnal lusts and pleasures, do not desire the new wine of the Gospel, and of the grace of God, and of spiritual thin”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 22:17: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,.... That is, wine; see the blessing at the passover cup in the notes on the preceding verse: until the kingdom of God shall come; with power, as in Mar 9:1 in the resurrection of Christ from the dead; in his exaltation and session at God's right hand; in the pouring forth of the Spirit on the apostles; in the conversion of great multitudes, both in Judea, and in the Gentile world; in the destruction of the Jews; in the latter day glory; and in the ultimate state of happiness and bliss in the world to come”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 5:37: But new wine must be put into new bottles,.... Such as the disciples of Christ were, and sinners called to repentance are, who are renewed by the Spirit and grace of God: and these are filled with spiritual joy and comfort, as with new wine, arising from discoveries of the love of God, a view of interest in the blessings of the covenant, and an application of Gospel truths and promises. And both are preserved; both these renewed ones, who are preserved unto the kingdom and glory of Christ; and the grace that is put into them, which is a well of living water, springing”
Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:10: The wine of the wrath of God - As they have drunk the intoxicating wine of idolatry or spiritual fornication, they shall now drink the wine of God's wrath, which is poured out into the cup of his indignation. This is an allusion to the poisoned cup, which certain criminals were obliged to drink, on which ensued speedy death. See on Heb 2:9 (note). Shall be tormented with fire and brimstone - An allusion to the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrha for their unnatural crimes. Presence of the holy angels, and - of the Lamb - These being the instruments employed in the”

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