Walmart and wine vending machines

This week, CBS reported that Walmart has preliminary approval to put the kiosks in stores in Pennsylvania. The machines require customers to swipe their driver’s license and even give a breathalyzer test before they can choose between more than 50 varieties of wine. This article got me to thinking about the people I have encountered in the past who justify social drinking (they know drunkenness is wrong) by saying that Jesus made wine in John 2:1-11 at the wedding feast in Cana.

This belief is misguided because it rests on five incorrect assumptions. First, it is assumed that the word oinos (the Greek word for “wine”) indicates only “fermented-quality grape drink.” Second, it is assumed that since the word oinos is used in reference both to the wine which ran out and the wine that Christ made, both wines must have been alcoholic. Third, it is assumed that the Jews did not know how to prevent the fermentation of grape juice; and since the wedding was just before Passover (John 2:13), that is, six months after the grape harvest, the wine had ample time to ferment. Fourth, it is assumed that the description given by the master of the banquet to the wine provided by Christ as “the good wine” means a high-quality alcoholic wine. Fifth, it is assumed that the expression “well drunk” indicates that the guests were intoxicated because they had been drinking fermented wine. Consequently, the wine Jesus made must also have been fermented.

It was common custom to bring out the freshest wine at the beginning of the feast. As the wine ran low, the older wine was brought out. In John 2:10, the master of the feast made the comment that Jesus had saved the good wine until the end. This “good wine” was fresh, unfermented wine. Jesus did not make intoxicating wine!

Kyle Campbell