The story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana stands as one of the most famous and often debated miracles in the New Testament. For centuries, Christians have wrestled with this account, asking: Does what happened at Cana provide biblical justification for Christians to drink alcohol? Or does the fuller context, when interpreted with all of Scripture, suggest another view? This article will explore both perspectives, quoting the Bible as the ultimate authority.

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The Case for Christian Liberty: Cana as Evidence for Alcohol Use

Key Passage:
“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.’” (John 2:7–10, NASB)

Argument 1: Jesus Created and Provided Wine

• The Gospel of John records that Jesus miraculously transformed about 120–180 gallons of water into “wine” (oinos), the standard Greek term for this beverage (John 2:6–9, NASB).
• The headwaiter praises the resulting wine as “good”:
  “Every man serves the good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:10, NASB).
• Wine was normal for Jewish feasts, especially at weddings:
  “Both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.” (John 2:2, NASB).

Argument 2: The Meaning of “Wine” (Oinos)

• The word oinos is used in scripture for both unfermented and fermented grape drinks, but contextually at feasts months after harvest, fermentation would be common (John 2:3, 10, NASB).
• Jesus’ attendance at the wedding, and other feasts where wine was central (see Matthew 22:2, NASB: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son”), demonstrates He did not shun such occasions.
• Nowhere in the passage is the drinking of wine condemned, while the miracle is described as a sign of Jesus’ glory, fostering faith:
  “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee…and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11, NASB).

Argument 3: The Language of Enjoyment

• The headwaiter’s words:
  “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine…” (John 2:10, NASB).
• The Greek term for “drunk freely” is methusko, often translated as “become intoxicated” or “drink freely”.
• Jesus provides wine after the guests have already “drunk freely,” suggesting He does not prohibit moderate drinking during celebration.

Argument 4: Theological and Symbolic Implications

• In scripture, wine often symbolizes joy, blessing, and abundance (Psalm 104:15, “And wine which makes man’s heart glad…” NASB), and Jesus frequently uses wine imagery in parables about the kingdom (Matthew 22:2; Matthew 25:1).
• The absence of a command against wine, but rather implicit approval, supports responsible enjoyment.

Argument 5: Christian Liberty

• Paul wrote, “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23, NASB).
• On matters not clearly forbidden, the church is called to liberty guided by love:
  “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” (Romans 14:22, NASB).
  “It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.” (Romans 14:21, NASB).

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The Case Against Alcohol: Cana Does Not Mandate Christian Drinking

Argument 1: The Nature of the Wine Could Be Unfermented

• The word oinos is generic, just as the Hebrew “yayin;” it can stand for unfermented grape juice.
  “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it’…” (Isaiah 65:8, NASB).
• Historical sources (Pliny, Plutarch) say that for Greeks and Romans, “the best wines were those whose alcoholic potency had been removed by boiling or filtration” and that “good wine” meant harmless, not intoxicating, wine.
• “Pliny expressly says that a ‘good wine’ was one that was destitute of spirit.” (Barnes Notes, referencing John 2:10 NASB).

Argument 2: The Moral Testimony of Christ

• Scripture condemns drunkenness and strong drink:
  “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1, NASB)
  “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NASB).
• If Jesus had produced, after “drinking freely,” up to 180 more gallons of intoxicating wine, would He not violate the principle of not causing stumbling or encouraging sin? Christ is sinless:
  “Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22, NASB).

Argument 3: Overall Scriptural Warnings About Alcohol

• Solomon wrote: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow?… Those who linger long over wine… At the last it bites like a serpent…” (Proverbs 23:29–32, NASB).
• Paul warned, “Envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you… that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21, NASB).
• Peter: “For the time already past is sufficient for you…having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties…” (1 Peter 4:3, NASB).

Argument 4: Historical and Cultural Context

• Preservation of unfermented grape juice was known in the ancient world, for instance by boiling or filtration, so the possibility that Jesus made high-quality, unfermented wine cannot be ruled out.
• Rabbinic tradition saw boiled (unfermented) wine as the “richest and best wine,” and sometimes forbade musical instrument–accompanied drinking at weddings to prevent excess.

Argument 5: The Purpose of the Miracle

• The sign at Cana was about revealing Jesus as the Christ and inaugurating the New Covenant, not about sanctioning or promoting alcohol:
  “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11 NASB).
• The miracle was not for promoting alcohol, but pointing to new creation and spiritual transformation.

Argument 6: The Principle of the Stumbling Block

• Paul urges care in using liberty:
  “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9, NASB).
  “All things are lawful, but not all things edify… Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24, NASB).
• Therefore, even if “wine” was fermented, the principle is love first, not personal satisfaction.

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Debate Summary Table

Argument For Drinking	Bible References (NASB)	Argument Against Drinking	Bible References (NASB)
Jesus transformed water to wine	John 2:7–9	“Wine” (oinosoinos) can be non-alcoholic	Isaiah 65:8, Proverbs 23:31, John 2:10
Wine praised as “good”	John 2:10	Ancient “good wine” often unfermented	John 2:10 (see Barnes Notes, Pliny)
Jesus attended and enhanced celebration	John 2:2, Matthew 22:2	Alcohol repeatedly condemned in scripture	Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:21, 1 Peter 4:3
No prohibition in the passage	John 2:11	Christ would not promote drunkenness	Luke 9:56, Proverbs 23:29–32, 1 Peter 2:22
Liberty in debatable matters	Romans 14:21, Romans 14:22, 1 Timothy 5:23	Responsibility to avoid stumbling block	1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:23–33

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Synthesis: What Does the Bible Ultimately Say?

Scripture must interpret scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The wedding at Cana, as recorded in John 2, does not explicitly command, nor does it explicitly forbid, alcohol consumption. The ultimate authority is the whole counsel of God:

• “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB)
• “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NASB)
• “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB)

Both liberty (Romans 14:21–22, 1 Timothy 5:23, NASB) and restraint (1 Corinthians 8:9, NASB) are biblical principles. Christians must reject drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29–32; Galatians 5:21), avoid making others stumble (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:9), and always pursue what glorifies God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Bible is the final authority; let all Christians study and apply it faithfully.