Was wine or grape juice served at the last supper?

This is a question that has been debated by theologians and historians for centuries. There is no definitive answer, but here's what we know:

Arguments for Wine:

* The Bible: The Gospels describe the drink as "fruit of the vine" (Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18) and "cup" (Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23, Luke 22:20), which most scholars interpret as wine.

* Jewish custom: During the Passover Seder, it was customary to drink four cups of wine. Jesus and his disciples were observing Passover.

* Symbolism: In Christian tradition, the wine represents the blood of Christ, which is a core belief.

Arguments for Grape Juice:

* Jewish law: Some argue that Jews were forbidden from drinking fermented wine during Passover, making grape juice the more likely option.

* Social norms: It's possible that Jesus and his disciples, being observant Jews, would have followed this practice.

* Historical evidence: Some scholars argue that grape juice was more readily available in ancient Palestine than fermented wine.

The Verdict:

There is no conclusive evidence to prove definitively whether it was wine or grape juice. Both sides have valid arguments. Ultimately, the significance of the drink lies in its symbolic meaning rather than its literal composition.

For Christians, the Last Supper is a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the symbolic nature of the communion elements. The debate over wine versus grape juice doesn't change the core message of the event.