King James Version

What Does Mark 14:25 Mean?

Mark 14:25 in the King James Version says “Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Mark 14:25 · KJV


Context

23

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

25

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm

27

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. offended: or, scandalized, or, shall stumble


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus speaks these solemn words during the Last Supper, instituting the New Covenant in His blood. The phrase "Verily I say unto you" (amēn legō hymin, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν) marks this as an authoritative divine pronouncement. Jesus' vow to abstain from wine until the kingdom's consummation demonstrates His complete commitment to accomplishing redemption. The "fruit of the vine" refers to wine in the Passover meal, now transformed into the symbol of Christ's blood shed for covenant ratification. The word "new" (kainon, καινόν) doesn't mean merely new in time but new in quality—the wine of the consummated kingdom will be unlike anything in this present age. This points forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), when Christ will feast with His redeemed people in the perfected kingdom. Jesus' statement reveals His confident faith in resurrection and kingdom fulfillment despite imminent crucifixion. Hours before betrayal and death, He speaks of future celebration with His disciples. This promise anchors Christian hope in the certainty that Christ's suffering leads to glory, that the cross precedes the crown, and that believers will share table fellowship with Jesus in the fully realized kingdom of God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This declaration occurs Thursday evening, likely April AD 30 or 33, in an upper room in Jerusalem during Passover. The Passover meal commemorated Israel's exodus from Egypt and anticipated messianic deliverance. Jesus transforms this Jewish feast into the Christian Eucharist, pointing to Himself as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). First-century Passover celebrations included four cups of wine representing different aspects of God's deliverance. The eschatological banquet was a common Jewish expectation, drawn from prophetic imagery (Isaiah 25:6-9). Jesus appropriates this imagery, identifying Himself as the host of this future banquet. The early church understood communion as both memorial of Christ's death and anticipation of His return, crying "Maranatha" ("Our Lord, come!") at the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 16:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' vow to abstain from wine until the kingdom demonstrate His confidence in resurrection despite facing crucifixion?
  2. What does the promise of future fellowship at God's table teach us about the nature of eternal life and heaven?
  3. How should communion today function both as memorial of Christ's death and anticipation of His return?
  4. In what ways does Jesus transform the Passover meal from celebrating past deliverance to instituting the New Covenant?
  5. What does Christ's promise to drink wine "new" in the kingdom reveal about continuity and transformation in the age to come?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀμὴν1 of 26

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω2 of 26

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν3 of 26

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι4 of 26

no more

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκέτι5 of 26
G3765

not yet, no longer

οὐ6 of 26
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ7 of 26
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πίνω8 of 26

I drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ9 of 26

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ10 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γεννήματος11 of 26

the fruit

G1081

offspring; by analogy, produce (literally or figuratively)

τῆς12 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀμπέλου13 of 26

of the vine

G288

a vine (as coiling about a support)

ἕως14 of 26

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῆς15 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρας16 of 26

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκείνης17 of 26

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ὅταν18 of 26

that

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

αὐτὸ19 of 26

it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πίνω20 of 26

I drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

καινὸν21 of 26

new

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

ἐν22 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ23 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείᾳ24 of 26

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ26 of 26

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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