Luke 22:18

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

For {G1063} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} I will {G4095} not {G3364} drink {G4095} of {G575} the fruit {G1081} of the vine {G288}, until {G2193}{G3755} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} shall come {G2064}.

For I tell you that from now on, I will not drink the ‘fruit of the vine’ until the Kingdom of God comes.”

For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

Luke 22:18 (KJV) records Jesus' solemn declaration during the Last Supper, a pivotal moment before His crucifixion. He states, "For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." This verse, closely linked with Luke 22:16, underscores Jesus' anticipation of the full realization of God's eternal reign.

Context of Luke 22:18

This statement is made within the sacred setting of the Passover meal, which Jesus transformed into the institution of the Lord's Supper. Luke's account places this declaration about the cup (the "fruit of the vine") just before the giving of the bread, emphasizing the profound significance of this final meal with His disciples. It follows Jesus' earlier statement that He would not eat the Passover again until its fulfillment in the Kingdom of God, indicating a forward-looking promise beyond His immediate suffering. This moment marks a transition from the Old Covenant Passover to the foreshadowing of the New Covenant established in His blood.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Kingdom of God: Central to Jesus' ministry, the "kingdom of God" here points to its ultimate, glorious consummation, not merely His present spiritual reign. It signifies a future time of perfect fellowship and divine rule. This eschatological hope is a cornerstone of Christian belief.
  • Anticipation and Fulfillment: Jesus' abstention ("I will not drink") expresses a deep, eager anticipation for a future event. It highlights that His earthly mission, though culminating in His death and resurrection, was not the final act, but a necessary step towards the full establishment of God's kingdom.
  • Future Fellowship: The shared meal is a symbol of communion. By promising to drink again with them in the Kingdom, Jesus assures His disciples of a future, perfect fellowship with Him in His glorified presence. This is echoed in the imagery of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation.
  • Sacrifice and Hope: In the shadow of His impending suffering and death, Jesus offers a profound message of hope. His sacrifice makes possible the very kingdom He anticipates, providing a future for all who believe.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fruit of the vine" (Greek: genēma tēs ampelou) is a common biblical expression for wine, particularly in the context of Jewish ritual meals like the Passover. Its use here connects Jesus' words directly to the traditional elements of the Passover Seder, while simultaneously reinterpreting their meaning in light of the coming new covenant. The "kingdom of God" (Greek: hē basileia tou theou) is a core concept throughout the Gospels, denoting God's sovereign rule, which is both already present in Jesus' ministry (Luke 17:21) and yet to be fully manifested in the future.

Practical Application

Luke 22:18 offers believers a powerful reminder of our ultimate hope. Just as Jesus eagerly awaited the full coming of the Kingdom, we too are called to live with a forward-looking expectation for Christ's return and the establishment of God's perfect reign. This verse transforms our understanding of communion, the Lord's Supper, from merely a remembrance of the past to a prophetic anticipation of the future. It encourages us to find comfort and strength in God's promises, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and lead to an eternal, joyful fellowship in His glorious kingdom. It reminds us that our faith is not just about what God has done, but what He will do.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 26:29

    But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 55:1

    ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

  • Luke 22:16

    For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

  • Mark 9:1

    ¶ And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

  • Song Of Solomon 5:1

    ¶ I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

  • Matthew 16:18

    And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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