Biblical Answer

Was the Wine in the Bible Alcoholic?

The Bible does not explicitly state the alcoholic content of the wine used in the New Testament era. However, based on the cultural context and the way wine was consumed during that time, it is reasonable to conclude that the wine was indeed alcoholic.

In the New Testament world, wine was often diluted with water, but even then, intoxication was still a threat (Proverbs 20:1). The Bible speaks against the use of alcohol as a beverage, condemning acts of drunkenness vigorously (Luke 7:34). This suggests that the wine used in the New Testament era was not just unfermented grape juice, but a beverage that had the potential to intoxicate.

The biblical account of the Last Supper, where Jesus and the disciples drank wine, also implies that the wine was alcoholic (Matthew 26:27-29). The fact that the disciples were accused of being "full of new wine" (Acts 2:13) after the event suggests that they had indeed consumed wine that had the power to intoxicate. While the exact alcoholic content of the wine is unknown, it is clear that the Bible presents wine as a beverage that can be enjoyed in moderation, but also carries the risk of intoxication.