Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,

Spoken to
challengers

At the Last Supper, after picking up a cup of wine and handing it to his apostles.

KJV

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.

NIV

Luke 22:18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

LISTENERS HEARD

Because I tell you: never ever I might drink from now on (the now) out of this product of the vine until this: the realm of the Divine might show up. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

There is a whole little section of the Greek that does not appear in most Biblical translations though it does appear in at least one, the NASB version. The verbs here are not the future tense. They are verbs of possibility, things that might or should happen. 

 The term used for "fruit" here means both "offspring" and "product". It is not the Greek word usually translated as "fruit". Except for the similar verse in Matthew 26:29, this word has only been used previously translated in the Gospel as "generation" in the phrase "generation of vipers", (Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:33 but originally used by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:7) referring specifically, to the Pharisees and perhaps meaning the "product of vipers", that is, poison. It is NOT the term Christ commonly uses to refer to "fruit" as in "judging a tree by its fruit".

The word "I will...drink" is the Greek meaning "to drink". It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate". The form of this verb is not the future tense, but a form, which when used with this form of negative is used either to make this future seem doubtful or certain, "it may be that" or "it is certain". We see this same form in Luke 22:16 and Matthew 26:29.

MY TAKE

Jesus gave up alcohol. Done it a number of times myself. 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9

For I say unto you, I will(WW) not(CW) drink (OS) of(CW) the fruit(CW) of(CW) the vine, until (MW) the kingdom of (MW) God shall(CW) come.

  • WW  - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should".
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "from the present" after "drink" is in the source we use today.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is word not usually translated as "fruit".
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" after "until" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.
For I say unto you, I will(WW) not(CW) drink (OS) of(CW) the fruit(CW) of(CW) the vine, until (MW) the kingdom of (MW) God shall(CW) come.
  • WW  - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should".
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "from the present" after "drink" is in the source we use today.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is a word not usually translated as "fruit."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" after "until" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form  -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
EACH WORD of KJV

For -- The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why".

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

say -- The word translated as "I say" is the most common word that means "to say" and "to speak". but it also means "to teach", which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.

unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case, the form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell", of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. The "to" for an indirect object is the  most common.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc. 

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might".

not -- (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think". When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

drink -- The word "I will...drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink". It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate". The form of this verb is not the future tense, but a form, which when used with this form of negative, is used either to make this future seem doubtful or certain, "it may be that" or "it is certain". We see this same form in Luke 22:16 and Matthew 26:29.

missing "from the present" -- (OS) The Greek words here aren't tranlated correctly. There is a phrase here that means "from the present" or, as we would say, "from now on". The word that should be translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. The "now on" is literally "the now", which means "the present". The word that should be translated as "this" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. The Greek word that should be translated as "now" means "now", "at the present moment","presently" and "as it is".  With the article, as it is here, its sense is "the present" or "this now".

of --- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from". It is not the word form usually translated as "of". Referring to time, it means "from" and "after". 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

fruit -- (CW) The term used for "fruit" here means both "offspring" and "product". This is word not usually translated as "fruit".

of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

vine -- The terms translated as "of the vine" is means "vine" and specifically "grape vine". Christ has used the related term, vineyard, many times but this word is less common.

until -- "Until" is from the conjunction that means "until", "till", "in order that" and "up to the point that".

missing "this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.  Here, it introduces the following short sentence.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

kingdom The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to", "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons) or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.  

God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity". It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way, perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form. 

come -- The word translated as "shall come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go", but it is more like our phrase "being underway". Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. The form is not the future tense, as translated. It is again in the form of a possibility "might show up".

EACH WORD of NIV

For -- The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why".

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

tell -- The word translated as "tell" is the most common word that means "to say" and "to speak", but it also means "to teach", which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself". Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might tell" or "should tell".

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might".

not -- (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think". When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

drink -- The word "I will...drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink". It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate". The form of this verb is not the future tense, but a form, which when used with this form of negative is used either to make this future seem doubtful or certain, "it may be that" or "it is certain". We see this same form in Luke 22:16 and Matthew 26:29.

missing "from the present" -- (OS) The Greek words here aren't translated correctly. There is a phrase here that means "from the present" or, as we would say, "from now on". The word that should be translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. The "now on" is literally "the now", which means "the present". The word that should be translated as "this" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. The Greek word that should be translated as "now" means "now", "at the present moment", "presently" and "as it is". With the article, as it is here, its sense is "the present" or "this now".

from ---The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from". It is not the word form usually translated as "of". Referring to time, it means "from" and "after". 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

fruit -- (CW) The term used for "fruit" here means both "offspring" and "product". This is word not usually translated as "fruit".

of -- This word "of"  comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

vine -- The terms translated as "of the vine" is means "vine" and specifically "grape vine". Christ has used the related term, vineyard, many times but this word is less common.

until -- "Until" is from the conjunction that  means "until", "till", "in order that" and "up to the point that".

missing "this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.  Here, it introduces the following short sentence.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

kingdom The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to", "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons) or  "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.  

God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity". It is introduced with an article, so "the God". Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. 

come -- The word translated as "shall come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway". Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. The form is not the future tense, as translated. It is again in the form of a possibility "might show up".

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

λέγω (1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount", "to tell over", "to say", "to speak", "to teach", "to mean", "boast of", "tell of", "recite", "nominate" and "command". It has a secondary meaning: "pick out", "choose for oneself", "pick up", "gather", "count" and "recount". A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay", "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep".

γὰρ (partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since" and "as". In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what".

ὑμῖν, (pron 2nd pl dat) "Unto you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you".

οὐ μὴ (partic) "Not" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.

πίω ( verb 1st sg aor subj act ) "I will...drink" is pinô (pino), which means "to drink", "to celebrate" and "soak up".

ἀπὸ (prep) Untranslated is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from", "from" when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.

τοῦ ( article sg neut gen )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

νῦν (adv) Untranslated is nyn (nun), which means "now", "at the present moment", "at the present time", "just now", "presently" and "as it is". With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now".

ἀπὸ (prep) "Of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg  neut gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

γενήματος (noun sg neut gen) "Fruit" is from gennema, which means "that which is born or produced", "offspring", "fruits" (of the earth), generally, any "product" or "work", "breeding", "begetting" and "producing".

τῆς  [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. 

ἀμπέλου (noun sg fem gen) "Of the vine" is from ampelos, which means "any climbing plant with tendrils", "grape vine", "wild vine" and "vineyard".

ἕως (conj) "Until" is from heos which means "until", "till", "in order that" and "up to the point that".

οὗ (pron sg masc gen) "This" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason" and many similar meanings.

   [821 verses](article sg fem nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

βασιλεία ( noun sg fem nom ) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom", "dominion", "hereditary monarchy", "kingly office", (passive) "being ruled by a king" and "reign".

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God", "divine" and "Deity".

ἔλθῃ. ( verb 3rd sg aor subj ) "Shall come" is erchomai, which means "to start", "to set out", "to come", "to go" and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

parallel comparison

This verse is very different that the version in Matthew. Luke commonly offers "kingdom of God" instead of the other descriptions of the kingdom used in Matthew.

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