Wine and grape juice

The Greek word for wine that the inspired Bible writers used means “wine, fermented grape juice.” There is a Greek word for unfermented grape juice, but the Bible writers did not use that word.

There is nothing sinful in the moderate use of alcoholic beverages such as wine. Jesus’ use of wine in his celebration of the Passover with his disciples—and the institution of the Lord’s Supper—illustrates that.

The phrase that the Gospel writers use in their accounts of the institution of the Lord’s Supper (“fruit of the vine,” Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18) refers to wine. We know from history that the Passover celebration included wine. We also know that any grape juice made from the fall harvests would not have remained grape juice by the time of the Passover celebrations in spring.