John Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother was there.

• (1) Christ, declaring openly in an assembly by a notable miracle that he has power over the nature of things to feed man’s body, leads the minds of all men to consider his spiritual and saving strength and power.
• (a) After the talk which he had with Nathanael, or after his departure from John, or after he came into Galilee.

2:2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.

2:3 When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine."

• (2) Christ takes good enough care of our salvation, and therefore has no need of others to remind of it.

2:4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come."

• (b) My appointed time.

2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it."

2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing [6] two or three metretes [See John Footnotes 6] apiece.

• (c) These were vessels made for the use of water, in which they washed themselves.
• (d) Every firkin contained one hundred pounds, at twelve ounces a pound: By this we gather that Christ helps them with one thousand and eight hundred pounds of wine. (about 135 imperial gallons or 600 litres Ed.)

2:7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." They filled them up to the brim.

2:8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast." So they took it.

2:9 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,

2:10 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!"

• (e) Literally, "are drunken". Now this saying, to be drunken, does not always refer to being drunk in the evil sense in the Hebrew language, but sometimes signifies an abundant and plentiful use of wine, which is nonetheless a measured amount, as in (Genesis 43:34).

2:11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

2:12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

• (f) That is, his cousins.

2:13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

• (3) Christ being made subject to the law for us, satisfies the law of the passover.

2:14 He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

• (4) Christ being ordained to purge the Church with great zeal begins his office both of Priest and Prophet.

2:15 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.

2:16 To those who sold the doves, he said, "Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!"

2:17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will eat me up."[7]

• (g) "Zeal" in this place is taken for a wrathful indignation and displeasure of the mind, brought about when someone deals wickedly and evilly towards those whom we love well.

2:18 The Jews therefore answered him, "What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?"

• (5) Against those who so bind God to an ordinary calling, which they themselves most shamefully abuse, that they will not admit of an extraordinary calling, which God confirms from heaven (and they would have it extinguished, although in vain) unless it is sealed with outward and bodily miracles.
• (h) With what miracle do you confirm it, that we may see the heavenly power and strength which gives you authority to speak and to act in this manner?

2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

2:20 The Jews therefore said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?"

2:21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.

• (i) That is, of his body.

2:22 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.

2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.

2:24 But Jesus didn't trust himself to them, because he knew everyone,

• (6) It is not good giving credit to those who trust only because of miracles.

2:25 and because he didn't need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

• (7) Christ is the searcher of hearts, and therefore truly God.