For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

LUKE 22:18KJV
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Luke 22:18 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:18 mean?

Luke 22:18 records Jesus telling his disciples that the cup they are sharing is part of a farewell meal. Jesus says he will stop drinking wine until God’s kingdom comes, giving the meal a connection to a future time when God’s rule is present.

“Fruit of the vine” is a way of describing wine, made from grapes. After telling the disciples to share a cup in verse 17, Jesus speaks about his own future drinking. His words place the meal just before his coming arrest and death.

The Greek behind Luke 22:18

  • “not” — οὐ μή (ou mē): These Greek words form a strong denial. Together, they make Jesus’ statement more emphatic than a simple “not.”
  • “kingdom” — βασιλεία (basileia): This word can refer to a king’s rule as well as a kingdom. Here, “the kingdom of God” points to God’s rule, rather than simply a place on a map.

Why Luke 22:18 matters

  • Jesus connects the meal with something still ahead. The word “until” sets God’s coming kingdom as the point at which his refusal to drink will end.
  • Jesus speaks as someone facing death, yet he also speaks of a future beyond the meal. Later in the same passage, he tells the disciples that he will eat and drink at his table in his kingdom (Luke 22:29–30).

Where else these words appear

“until” Greek G3755 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
  • Luke 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

“fruit” Greek G1081 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
  • Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

“vine” Greek G288 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
  • John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

“will” Greek G4095 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
  • John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.