John 2 - The Wedding Feast at Cana

Joh 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: Most scholars agree that this would be the third day after the last event. (i.e. the seventh day of the week, or the Sabbath day). The celebration was in the village of Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was present. (A typical Jewish wedding feast lasted seven days).

Joh 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding celebration. (It's always good to invite Jesus to your wedding if you are a Christian). Spiritually speaking... The presence of the Holy Spirit at such a celebration always makes for a wonderful time.

Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. The wine supply had run out early in the festivities, so the mother of Jesus told Him about the lack of drink.

Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. That's not our problem Jesus replied. "My time has not come." In other words Jesus is saying, "what would you like Me to do?" 

Joh 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Do what ever Jesus tells you. "Always listen to what Jesus has to say and follow His instruction." (Acts 9:6, Hebrews 5:9).

Joh 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. The Jews regarded themselves ceremonially unclean if they did not wash both before and after eating. These pots were not drinking water pots, but many scholars believe that Jesus only picked these pots because they would hold a large supply of water. I believe there is a deeper meaning here.  Jesus could have had any of the empty wine jugs filled with water and used them. However, I believe that He used these ceremonial washing pots symbolically to show that they would no longer be needed for washing after His crucifixion. It would be His shed blood that would do the spiritual cleansing of the soul for all that come to repentance of their sins. "Cleansing for the sins of the world." (Hebrews 10:22). We can go into the very presence of God with sincere hearts as believers. Fully trusting Him, because our guilty consciences have been sprinkled clean with the blood of Christ, and washed (baptized), with pure water. (Matthew 3:11, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Peter 3:21).  

Joh 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots. (Were talking of over 120 gallons of water here).

Joh 2:8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. Now Jesus commanded the servants to take some of the water from the pots, and take it to the master of ceremonies. (The governor). The servants of course followed His instructions.

Joh 2:9 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, The master of ceremonies called the bridegroom over to his table after he tasted the wine. 

Joh 2:10 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. When the bridegroom came over, the master of ceremonies said to him; a host always serves the best wine first, and then he brings out the less expensive wine later. But, you have saved this wonderful wine until now. (Man always tries to trick you; God is always straight up in His actions).

Joh 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. This would be the first time that Jesus revealed His glory with this miraculous sign. And His disciples believed in Him. (This is the key to the signification of the eight miracles of this Gospel, and John has laid them out for us as signs). It has been 450 years since the Jews had seen a miracle. (The last was in Daniel 6).

Joh 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. A little visit to Capernaum (village of comfort), for a few days.

Joh 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration so Jesus went to Jerusalem.

Joh 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: Here we see the Temple merchants selling their goods (cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifice), along with exchanging money. (The problem is that they were a bunch of rip offs, selling mite infested doves and blemished animals for sacrifice). Right in the "house of God." (The law required that all sacrificial animals should be without blemish). The priests were a part of this racket also, and they got a cut from the animal sales. (According to a Jewish historian and culture expert, the priests were netting the equivalent of $300,000 a year in money exchange alone because the rates were so high).

Joh 2:15 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; Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He turned over the money changers tables and drove out all the animals. Needless to say, "Jesus was a little upset." (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15).

Joh 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. Going over to the merchants that sold doves, He told them to get these might infested doves out of here. Stop turning "My Father's House" into a marketplace. "My Father's House." (This was the beginning of His ministry). At the end He called it "Your House." (Matthew 23:38).  

Joh 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. The disciples remembered this prophecy from the scriptures." Passion for God's house will consume Me." (Psalm 69:9, Psalm 119:139). Christ didn't live to please Himself, He came as a servant towards others. They criticized Christ and they will do the same to you. (1 Timothy 3:7, Matthew 5:11). When you teach the truth of God's Word, you will be talked about and falsely accused. People will look for every fault they can against you.

Joh 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? The Jewish leaders were really upset that Jesus ruined their little party, and wanted to know by what authority He had to do this. "They wanted a sign to prove His authority." (What a mistake people make when they question Jesus).

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Jesus replied; You want a sign? "Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up." (The Lord's enemies remembered what He had said, and changed the wording to "I will destroy"). (Matthew 26:60-61, Mark 14:58). Was this written? Yes... But they twisted the scripture. Jesus never said "I would destroy the temple," but rather "you would destroy the temple," speaking of His body as the temple of God. (John 2:18-21). This was the temple that He would raise up in three days; and He did. "Beware of false witnesses."

Joh 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? "What!" they exclaimed. "It took 46 years to build this Temple, and you say you can rebuild it in three days?" (Bunch of ignorant hypocrites).

Joh 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body. We all know that Jesus meant His own body as the Temple He was talking about. (They did not get it). "Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone of the living Temple of God." (Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5). Christ is that Living Chief Cornerstone of God's temple that was rejected by men, but chosen by God with great honor. "We are also part of that temple of God as believing Christians." (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit dwells within you. (The many member body is the temple of God).

Joh 2:22 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. It would be after Jesus was raised from the dead; then His disciples remembered He had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.

Joh 2:23 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. Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to believe in Him.

Joh 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, But Jesus didn't trust them, because He knew human nature. I have a saying I use occasionally: "I don't even trust myself at times in this flesh body, so why should I trust you."

Joh 2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. No one needed to tell Jesus what mankind is really like. God knows your heart! "He knows who He can trust and who He cannot trust with certain things." Where do you fit in? Can He really trust you?

Keep the faith,
Barton