John Chapter 2
1 The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother was there.
2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine."
4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come."
5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it."
6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." So they filled them up to the brim.
8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast." So they took it.
9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn't know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom
10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!"
11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.
15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money and overthrew their tables.
16 To those who sold the doves, he said, "Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!"
17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will eat me up."
18 The Jews therefore answered him, "What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?"
19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
20 The Jews therefore said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?"
21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.
24 But Jesus didn't entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone,
25 and because he didn't need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Footnotes
- Verse 6 (metretes)
- 2 to 3 metretes is about 20 to 30 U.S. Gallons, or 75 to 115 litres.
- Verse 17
- Psalm 69:9
Version: World English Bible
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John Chapter 2 Guide
At Cana our Lord wrought what John describes as the "beginning of His signs." It was a sign of power in the realm of creation, and of it being exercised in answer to faith. It was a sign, moreover, of His attitude toward pure joy in the activities of human life.
After a short period of retirement at Capernaum, Jesus went to Jerusalem, and there gave the first outward sign of His official position. The outer courts of the Temple had been turned into a veritable market-place. He cleansed them, and when asked for His authority, in words not then probably understood, He declared that the final sign of such authority would be His death and resurrection. Such an action by our Lord was bound to draw attention to Him. Moreover, while in Jerusalem He wrought other signs, so that many were attracted to Him. It is an arresting fact that whereas, in that sense, they committed themselves to Him, He, knowing them perfectly, did not commit Himself to them.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
John Chapter 2 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The miracle at Cana. -- (1-11)
- Christ casts the buyers and sellers out of the temple. -- (12-22)
- Many believe in Christ. -- (23-25)
Verses 1-11
It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our addresses to Christ, we must humbly spread our case before him, and then refer ourselves to him to do as he pleases. In Christ's reply to his mother there was no disrespect. He used the same word when speaking to her with affection from the cross; yet it is a standing testimony against the idolatry of after-ages, in giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objected against. The beginning of Moses' miracles was turning water into blood, Ex 7:20; the beginning of Christ's miracles was turning water into wine; which may remind us of the difference between the law of Moses and the gospel of Christ. He showed that he improves creature-comforts to all true believers, and make them comforts indeed. And Christ's works are all for use. Has he turned thy water into wine, given thee knowledge and grace? it is to profit withal; therefore draw out now, and use it. It was the best wine. Christ's works commend themselves even to those who know not their Author. What was produced by miracles, always was the best in its kind. Though Christ hereby allows a right use of wine, he does not in the least do away his own caution, which is, that our hearts be not at any time overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, Lu 21:34. Though we need not scruple to feast with our friends on proper occasions, yet every social interview should be so conducted, that we might invite the Redeemer to join with us, if he were now on earth; and all levity, luxury, and excess offend him.
Verses 12-22
The first public work in which we find Christ engaged, was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a house of merchandise, whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business when attending religious exercises, or who perform Divine offices for love of gain. Christ, having thus cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it, to prove his authority for so doing. He foretells his death by the Jews' malice, Destroy ye this temple; I will permit you to destroy it. He foretells his resurrection by his own power; In three days I will raise it up. Christ took again his own life. Men mistake by understanding that according to the letter, which the Scripture speaks by way of figure. When Jesus was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered he has said this. It helps much in understanding the Divine word, to observe the fulfilling of the Scriptures.
Verses 23-25
Our Lord knew all men, their nature, dispositions, affections, designs, so as we do not know any man, not even ourselves. He knows his crafty enemies, and all their secret projects; his false friends, and their true characters. He knows who are truly his, knows their uprightness, and knows their weaknesses. We know what is done by men; Christ knows what is in them, he tries the heart. Beware of a dead faith, or a formal profession: carnal, empty professors are not to be trusted, and however men impose on others or themselves, they cannot impose on the heart-searching God.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.