John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
In English, when we use the term wine, it automatically means fermented grape juice or that of other fruits or grains; it could be flavoured or plain. But, surprisingly, Bible translators under the influence of the Catholic Church translated grape juice also as wine. Catholics are famous for their consumption of alcohol; thus, as they did to the second commandment to enable idol worship, they did the same with scriptures for alcohol consumption.
Bible does condemn alcohol but warns against the dangers of its consumption just as it does against other lusts of the flesh, mind and spirit.
If we go deeper into the Greek and Hebrew words used in various scriptures, we will understand what they mean.
In Greek, there are totally 3 words translated as/used for wine:-
Oinos – oy-nos – (Strong 3631) – wine in general whose fermentation levels may vary from fresh juice, to mild, to medium – John 2:10, Luke 5:39, 1 Tim 3:8, 1 Tim 5:23…
Gleukos – glyoo-kos – (Strong 1098) – high fermented wine – Act 2:13 (only scripture)
Parvinos – Par-oy-nos – (Strong 3943) – given to highly fermented wine or getting drunk with strong wine – 1 Tim 3:3
In Hebrew, there are a total of 7 words translated as/used for wine:-
Tiyrowsh – Tee-roshe – (Strong 8492) – fresh grape juice – Gen 27:25
Aciyc – Aw-sees – (Strong 6071) – fresh wine not fermented – Joel 1:5
Yayin – Yay-in – (Strong 3196) – fermented wine (mild to slightly strong) – Gen 27:28, Joel 1:5, Proverbs 23:30
Mamcak – mam-sawk – (Strong 4469) – spiced wine – Proverb 23:30
Shekar – Shay-kawr – (Strong 7491) – Alcohol or strong drink or spirit – Num 28:7 (only scripture)
Cobe – so-beh – (Strong 5435) – getting drunk with strong wine – Isaiah 1:22
Enab – Ay-awb – (Strong 6025) – to bear fruit or grape as a fruit or wine – Hosea 3:1
We see in John 2:10 the host of the wedding (the groom’s father) responds surprisingly as to why the fresh juice was served later, while the mildly fermented one prepared a day or 2 days before was served first.
Let us not take translations literally, but introspect them and be saved from deception.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. Lord, we pray we understand Your Word is infallible as are You. Lord we pray we seek do not be deceived by the games played by the evil ones, but seek to know the truth by studying Your Word deeper. Bless us will wisdom and guide us to the Truth…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
John 2:9-10
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Dated 30 June 2026
Bro Rollwyn