Reference

Matthew 20:23

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
21

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

23

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Total Abstinence

The verse uses the metaphor of "drinking of my cup" to refer to sharing in suffering or destiny, not to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. There is no mention of wine, alcohol, or any form of abstinence in the text.

Permissible Use (Moderation)

The verse uses "cup" and "baptized" metaphorically to refer to suffering and destiny, not literal drinking or a physical act of baptism. Therefore, it offers no direct commentary on the permissible use of wine or alcohol.