John 2:1-6 (WEL) Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Both Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When they ran out of wine, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “O woman, what is it to me and you? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do.” 6 Sitting there were six stone water jars for ceremonial washing in the Jewish manner, each containing two or three measures [metrētēs, which is about 25 gallons/94.6 liters total for each jar].
Chapter summary:
(1) Christ attends a marriage-feast in Cana of Galilee, and miraculously changes water into wine, John 2:1-11.
(2) After a short stay at Capernaum, he attends the Passover at Jerusalem, and drives the traders out of the temple, John 2:12-17.
(3) He vindicates his conduct, and foretells his death and resurrection, John 2:18-22.
(4) He avoids trusting himself with pretended believers, John 2:23-25.
V1 Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
(Easton’s Bible Dictionary) “Cana, reedy, a town of Galilee, near Capernaum. Here our Lord wrought his first miracle, the turning of water into wine (John 2:1-11; 4:46). It is also mentioned as the birthplace of Nathanael (21:2). It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It has been identified with the modern Kana el-Jelil, also called Khurbet Kana, a place 8 or 9 miles north of Nazareth.”
V2 Both Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
Jesus wasn’t known other than as a religious Jewish carpenter. Some knew of John the Baptist’s proclamation. Jesus’s temptation was completed, and Jesus has called some to follow Him.
Things will soon change.
Jesus will on this very day begin His public ministry with this miracle.
Application: Jesus can do anything He wishes to do, for He is the Creator.
Principle: It is wise to obey Jesus as the men who filled the water pots. If they had refused for whatever reason, a blessing would have been unrealized. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Principle: God’s timing is different than ours.
V3 When they ran out of wine, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They don’t have any wine.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew that He was the Savior (Luke 1:46-47).
(Amplified Study Bible Notes) “Hospitality in the East was a sacred duty. A wedding feast often lasted for a week. To run out of wine at such an important event would have been humiliating for the bride and groom. The family of Jesus was not wealthy, and it is likely their relatives and acquaintances were not either. This may have been a “low-budget” wedding feast.”
V4 Jesus said to her, “O woman, what is it to me and you? My time hasn’t come yet.”
The time to begin His ministry depended on the command of God the Father, not Mary, His mother.
Joseph Benson writes: “But Jesus, says Dr. Doddridge: “was of so benevolent a temper, and Mary seems to have been so far concerned as a relation, that it does not appear this would have been a proper reply. The words seem rather to be intended as a rebuke to Mary, and it was surely expedient she should know that Jesus was not, upon such occasions, to be directed by her. And nothing is more evident than that the phrase, in other places, has the meaning that our version gives it.” Thus also Dr. Campbell: “It was, no doubt, our Lord’s intention in these words gently to suggest that in what concerned his office, earthly parents had no authority over him. In other things he had been subject to them.”
Principle: Honor your mother (Mary) and Father. Jesus speaks respectfully to His mother, Mary.
V5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do.”
This indicates that one of the wedding party was a relative. She is saying in effect, “If Jesus does nothing, do nothing. If Jesus tells you to do something, then do it.”
Romans 5:19 (Simplified KJV) “For as through one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one many shall be made righteous.”
Obedience to God is very important. If Jesus had not been obedient to His Father (God the Father), then there would be no salvation. Compare Matthew 26:39.
V6 Sitting there were six stone water jars for ceremonial washing in the Jewish manner, each containing two or three measures [metrētēs, which is about 25 gallons/94.6 liters total for each jar].
Washing was commanded in Mosaic Law and signified purity after washing.
Summary by Copilot AI:
We learn:
- About Jesus’s authority.
- About Jesus’s provision for others.
- About honoring parents.
- About obedience to God.
- About various Jewish rituals for washing.
Questions:
- Do you honor your parents?
- Do you try to obey the over 1,000 rules of the Law of Christ?
- Do you believe and trust in Jesus Christ alone for purity?