Matthew 26:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, I will {G4095} not {G3754}{G3364} drink {G4095} henceforth {G575}{G737} of {G1537} this {G5127} fruit {G1081} of the vine {G288}, until {G2193} that {G1565} day {G2250} when {G3752} I drink {G4095} it {G846} new {G2537} with {G3326} you {G5216} in {G1722} my {G3450} Father's {G3962} kingdom {G932}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I tell you, I will not drink this `fruit of the vine' again until the day I drink new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."

Berean Standard Bible

I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this poignant declaration during the Last Supper, Jesus reveals His intention to abstain from the "fruit of the vine" until a future, glorious day when He will share it anew with His disciples in His Father's kingdom. This statement transforms the immediate ritual of the Lord's Supper into a profound eschatological promise, pointing beyond His imminent suffering to the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan and the joyous fellowship of the coming age.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper, where He reinterprets the Passover elements of bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, inaugurating the new covenant ([Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26-28 "Matthew 26:26-28 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Having established this foundational ordinance, Jesus then looks beyond His impending crucifixion and resurrection to the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive work. His words in [Matthew 26:29](/matthew/26-29 "Matthew 26:29 - Jesus' Promise of Future Communion") serve as a powerful bridge, connecting the present covenant meal to its future consummation in the Kingdom of God, thereby providing His disciples with a profound hope amidst the looming darkness of His betrayal and death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Last Supper was a Passover Seder, a meal steeped in centuries of Jewish tradition commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Wine was a central element of the Passover, with four cups typically consumed, each with symbolic significance. Jesus' reinterpretation of the third cup (the cup of redemption) as His blood of the new covenant, followed by His declaration about not drinking again until the Kingdom, would have resonated deeply with His Jewish disciples. The concept of a future "messianic banquet" was a well-established theme in Jewish eschatology, anticipating a time of great joy, peace, and fellowship with God in the age to come, often symbolized by feasting and abundant wine ([Isaiah 25:6-8](/isaiah/25-6-8 "Isaiah 25:6-8 - The Messianic Banquet Prophecy")). Jesus' words tap into this deeply ingrained hope, reorienting it around His own person and the reality of God's Kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 26:29](/matthew/26-29 "Matthew 26:29 - Jesus' Eschatological Promise") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Eschatological Hope**, shifting the disciples' focus from immediate sorrow to a glorious future. Jesus' promise of drinking "new" wine in His [Father's kingdom](/matthew/6-10 "Matthew 6:10 - Thy Kingdom Come") assures them of a certain reunion and the ultimate triumph of God's reign. Secondly, it evokes the theme of the **Messianic Banquet**, a rich Old Testament motif of celebratory feasting in the presence of God, which finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament as the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"). This imagery conveys perfect fellowship, joy, and peace. Lastly, the verse highlights the **New Covenant Fulfillment**. While the Lord's Supper institutes the new covenant through Christ's blood, this declaration looks forward to the full realization of that covenant's blessings in the Kingdom, where all things will be made "new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")), signifying a transformed and perfected reality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fruit (Greek, _génnēma'_):** From the root word meaning "to beget" or "to produce," _génnēma_ here refers to "offspring" or "produce." In the context of "fruit of the vine," it specifically denotes the product of the vine, i.e., wine. This term is a common Jewish designation for wine, particularly in liturgical contexts like the Passover, emphasizing its natural origin.
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** This word is crucial for understanding the qualitative nature of the future experience. _Kainós_ signifies "new in kind," implying something fresh, unprecedented, and qualitatively superior, as opposed to _neos_, which means "new in age" or "recent." Jesus is not merely promising a fresh batch of the same wine, but a radically transformed, perfected, and qualitatively different experience of communion in the Kingdom of God.
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** Derived from "king," _basileía_ refers to "royalty," "rule," or "realm." In this context, it denotes the sovereign reign of God, which is both a present spiritual reality (already inaugurated by Christ) and a future, consummated reality (not yet fully realized). Jesus' declaration points to the eschatological dimension of God's kingdom, where His kingship will be fully manifest and His people will share in His glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say unto you,"**: This opening phrase emphasizes the solemnity and authority of Jesus' declaration. It marks a significant pronouncement, setting apart what follows as a weighty and personal statement from the Lord to His disciples, establishing the certainty of His words.
* **"I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,"**: Jesus declares a voluntary abstention from wine from that moment forward. This is a profound act of self-denial and anticipation, connecting His present suffering and departure with a future, joyous reunion. The "fruit of the vine" specifically refers to the wine shared during the Passover, which He had just reinterpreted as His blood of the new covenant. His abstinence underscores the temporary nature of His physical presence and the spiritual transition underway.
* **"until that day when I drink it new with you"**: This clause introduces the eschatological hope. Jesus' abstinence is not permanent but conditional, lasting "until that day." This "day" refers to a specific, future point in time—the consummation of God's Kingdom. The act of drinking it "new" signifies a qualitatively different, perfected communion, one unmarred by sin, suffering, or separation, shared in full fellowship with His disciples.
* **"in my Father's kingdom."**: This specifies the glorious location and context of the promised reunion. It is not merely a reunion, but one that takes place within the full manifestation of God's sovereign rule. The phrase "my Father's kingdom" emphasizes the divine origin and ultimate authority of this realm, where God's will is perfectly done and where believers will experience the fullness of His presence and blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:29 employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the "fruit of the vine" (wine) transcends its literal meaning to symbolize the shared fellowship and joy of the Kingdom of God, a direct contrast to the blood of the new covenant just instituted. The act of "drinking it new" is a powerful **metaphor** for a transformed, perfected communion, not merely a physical act but a spiritual reality of ultimate joy and intimacy with Christ. The entire statement functions as a **prophecy**, a forward-looking declaration of a future event, providing hope and certainty amidst the impending trials. Furthermore, the deliberate abstention by Jesus creates a sense of **anticipation**, building suspense and longing for the promised "day" and the ultimate **consummation** of His redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:29 stands as a pivotal statement, bridging the historical act of the Last Supper with the eschatological hope of the Kingdom of God. Theologically, it underscores the inaugurated but not yet consummated nature of God's reign. Jesus, by instituting the Lord's Supper, establishes the new covenant, but by promising future communion, He points to the ultimate fulfillment of that covenant in glory. This verse transforms the Lord's Supper from a mere memorial into a forward-looking anticipation of the Messianic Banquet, where believers will share perfect fellowship with Christ in His Father's kingdom. It teaches us that our present communion with Christ, though real, is but a foretaste of the complete and unhindered joy that awaits us.

* [Isaiah 25:6](/isaiah/25-6 "Isaiah 25:6 - The Feast on Mount Zion") - Prophecy of a lavish feast for all peoples on Mount Zion, symbolizing God's ultimate salvation and the Messianic age.
* [Luke 22:16](/luke/22-16 "Luke 22:16 - Jesus' Promise at the Passover") - Jesus' parallel statement in Luke, "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
* [Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb") - The ultimate culmination of the Messianic banquet imagery, depicting the marriage supper of the Lamb in the consummated Kingdom.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:29 offers profound comfort and a robust framework for Christian hope. It reminds us that our present experience of faith, including partaking in the Lord's Supper, is not an end in itself but a signpost pointing to a glorious future. Every time we participate in communion, we are not only remembering Christ's sacrifice but also actively looking forward to His return and the full establishment of His Kingdom. This verse calls us to live with an eager, active anticipation of that "day," allowing this future hope to shape our present realities. It encourages us to persevere through trials, knowing that our ultimate destiny is unbroken, perfected fellowship with Christ in His Father's glorious realm. This hope should motivate us to pursue holiness, share the Gospel, and live as citizens of that coming Kingdom, even now.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' promise of drinking "new" wine in the Kingdom transform your understanding of the Lord's Supper?**
* **In what ways does the anticipation of future fellowship with Christ in His Father's kingdom impact your daily life and priorities?**
* **How can the hope expressed in this verse sustain you through periods of difficulty or spiritual dryness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus saying He will not drink "henceforth of this fruit of the vine"?**

Answer: Jesus' declaration signifies a voluntary and temporary cessation of His participation in the Passover meal, specifically the drinking of wine, from that moment until the consummation of His Father's kingdom. This abstention creates a profound sense of anticipation and marks a transition. It underscores that His earthly ministry, culminating in His sacrifice, is coming to an end, and that a new, perfected form of communion awaits in the future. It is not a permanent vow of abstinence, but a symbolic act connecting His imminent suffering with the ultimate joy of the Messianic age.

**What does "drink it new" imply about the future experience in the Kingdom?**

Answer: The word "new" (Greek: _kainós_) is crucial here. It doesn't mean merely "fresh" or "recent," but rather "new in kind," implying a qualitative transformation. When Jesus promises to "drink it new" with His disciples in the Kingdom, He is not suggesting a mere repetition of earthly meals. Instead, He is pointing to a radically transformed, perfected, and qualitatively superior experience of communion. This future fellowship will be unmarred by sin, sorrow, or death, characterized by perfect joy, peace, and unhindered intimacy with God, reflecting the complete renewal of all things in the [new heavens and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:29 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing and future work of Jesus as the Messiah. His declaration at the Last Supper, marking a temporary separation, foreshadows His death, resurrection, and ascension, through which He inaugurated the new covenant and His spiritual reign. The "fruit of the vine" He abstains from is transformed into the very symbol of His shed blood for the forgiveness of sins, the foundation of the new covenant community ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the Covenant")). The promise to "drink it new" with His disciples in His Father's kingdom points directly to His glorious return and the consummation of His reign, when He will gather His redeemed people for the ultimate celebration. This future banquet, often called the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies of a joyful messianic feast, where Christ, the Bridegroom, will share perfect, unbroken fellowship with His Bride, the Church. He is the one who initiates this new covenant, secures its blessings through His sacrifice, and will ultimately preside over its glorious culmination, bringing His people into the fullness of His [eternal kingdom](/2_peter/1-11 "2 Peter 1:11 - The Eternal Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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.

Luke 22:15

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

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.

Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Luke 22:29

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;