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G1098 · Greek · New Testament
γλεῦκος
gleukos
Noun, neuter
New Wine / Sweet Wine

Definition

The Greek noun gleukos (γλεῦκος) refers to new wine or sweet wine — freshly pressed grape juice or wine in early fermentation. It appears once in the New Testament (Acts 2:13), where mockers at Pentecost accused the disciples of being 'filled with new wine.' The accusation was simultaneously a misattribution and an unknowing metaphor.

Usage & Theological Significance

The accusation of being drunk on gleukos at Pentecost is laced with irony. The mockers were wrong about the cause but not entirely wrong about the effect: the disciples were indeed filled — not with new wine but with the Holy Spirit, whose effects could look, from the outside, like intoxication. Paul draws on this same contrast in Ephesians 5:18: 'Do not get drunk on wine...instead, be filled with the Spirit.' The gleukos of Pentecost mockery becomes a metaphor for Spirit-filled abandon — the exhilarating fullness that comes from God.

Key Bible Verses

Acts 2:13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much new wine.'
Acts 2:15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!
Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
John 2:10 Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.

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