1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it].
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Overview of John Chapter 2
John Chapter 2 is a significant chapter in the Gospel of John, featuring two major events: the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into wine, and the cleansing of the temple, where Jesus demonstrates his authority over religious practices. This chapter highlights Jesus’ divine nature and sets the stage for his ministry.
Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
This section describes Jesus’ first miracle, a pivotal moment that reveals his glory and initiates his public ministry.
- Setting: The event occurs at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, attended by Jesus, his mother Mary, and his disciples.
- Problem: The hosts run out of wine, which would have been a significant embarrassment in the cultural context of the time.
- Mary’s Role: Mary informs Jesus of the situation, suggesting her awareness of his abilities and her faith in him.
- Jesus’ Response: He initially responds with a statement about his time not yet having come, indicating a deeper purpose behind his miracles.
- The Miracle: Jesus instructs the servants to fill jars with water, which he then turns into wine, demonstrating his power over nature.
- Significance of the Miracle: The quality of the wine is noted, emphasizing the abundance and richness of Jesus’ provision. This act is described as a “sign,” revealing his glory and leading to the belief of his disciples.
Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:12-25)
This section portrays Jesus’ authority and his challenge to the existing religious practices of the time.
- Context: Jesus travels to Jerusalem for Passover, a significant Jewish festival, where he finds the temple filled with merchants and money changers.
- Jesus’ Actions: He makes a whip and drives out the merchants, overturning their tables and expressing righteous anger at the commercialization of worship.
- His Declaration: Jesus declares, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade,” indicating his zeal for the sanctity of the temple.
- Response from the Jews: The Jewish leaders demand a sign to justify his actions, questioning his authority.
- Jesus’ Prophetic Statement: He responds cryptically, saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” referring to his body and foreshadowing his resurrection.
- Misunderstanding: The Jews misunderstand him, thinking he speaks of the physical temple, which took 46 years to build.
- Disciples’ Understanding: After his resurrection, the disciples remember this statement, recognizing its significance in light of their faith.
Thematic Analysis
- Transformation: The miracle at Cana symbolizes the transformative power of Jesus, not just in a physical sense but also spiritually, as he brings new life and joy.
- Authority: Jesus’ cleansing of the temple showcases his authority over religious practices and institutions, challenging the status quo and calling for a return to true worship.
- Faith and Belief: The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith, as seen in Mary’s trust in Jesus and the disciples’ belief following the miracle.
- Foreshadowing: The reference to Jesus’ body as the temple foreshadows his death and resurrection, a central theme in Christian theology.
Conclusion
John Chapter 2 serves as a crucial introduction to Jesus’ ministry, illustrating his divine authority and the transformative nature of his work. Through the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple, the chapter sets the tone for the conflicts and revelations that will unfold throughout the Gospel of John.
