Bible Commentaries
John 2

Verse 1

John 2:1

Third day -- after the call of Philip and Nathanael.

Cana in Galilee -- was not a very well-known place. It is mentioned only here, in John 4:46, and John 21:2. Located about 8 miles north of Nazareth.

Mother of Jesus -- Never named by John. She probably had some part as hostess, cf. v.5, where she gives directions to the servants.

She "was there" whereas Jesus and his disciples were invited. Also note in v.12 where the family all seem to go from Cana to Capernaum, so apparently the brothers (and sisters?) of Jesus were at this wedding.

Verse 2

John 2:2

Wedding -- There is no clue to the identity of the bride and groom, but in all probability either relatives or friends of Jesus’ family were involved, since Jesus’ mother and both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the celebration. The attitude of Mary in approaching Jesus and asking him to do something when the wine ran out also suggests that familial obligations were involved.

Verse 3

John 2:3

Jewish wedding feasts often lasted a week and new guests were continually arriving.

Did Mary expect a miracle? In the light of John 2:11 this is not likely. Mary had not yet seen any miracles done by her Son.

Verse 4

John 2:4

Woman -- is Jesus’ normal, polite way of addressing women (Matthew 15:28; Luke 13:12; John 4:21; John 8:10; John 19:26; John 20:15).

Mine hour is not yet come -- John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:8; John 7:30; John 8:20;

"Hour is come " -- John 12:23; John 13:1; John 13:31; John 17:1. (Mark 14:41; Luke 9:51; Luke 22:14; John 16:4 )

(Approximately 13 x this similar expression appears.)

Verse 5

John 2:5

Whatever he tells you -- Good advice from Mary to us also.

Verse 6

John 2:6

Six stone water jars -- for holding waters for ceremonial washing or cleansing. Guests would wash their hand before eating. Matthew 15:1-2 Servants would wash the guests feet upon arriving .

firkins -- KJV, this measurment equals about 8 to 9 gallons, thus the water jars would hold about 20 t0 30 gallons. At 24 gal. per jar there would be about 144 gal. of wine produced.

metretes -- A measure of capacity (John 2:6), meaning the Attic amphora, a measure for liquids equivalent to about thirty-three and one-half quarts or eight and three-eighths gallons.

Verse 7

John 2:7

To the brin -- the waterpots were filled to the brim, so that no one could say that wine had been added to the water.

Verse 8

John 2:8

Ruler of the feast -- head steward (NET); Master of the banquet (NIV); Master of ceremonies.

Verse 9

John 2:9

Wine -- Jesus certainly would not make an intoxicating drink which was prohibited by his Father, Habakkuk 2:15; Isaiah 5:11-12; Isaiah 5:22-23;

Verse 10

John 2:10

The best wine -- the freshest, best tasting, best preserved. As it was used up the less tasty and the older wine which may even be in process of spoiling and turning to wine-vinegar would be used.

Verse 12

John 2:12

Capernaum -- Matthew 4:13; Matthew 9:1;

Verse 18

John 2:18

What sign -- the Jews were always looking for a sign from Jesus. (Had they heard what had happened at Cana?) They demanded that He should perform some sign to support His claim of being the Messiah.

Verse 19

John 2:19

This temple -- The Jews understood the Temple as the dwelling place of God, but the real Temple or dwelling place of God, at this time, was the body of Jesus.

Verse 20

John 2:20

Forty six years -- According to Josephus (Ant. 15.11.1 [15.380]), work on this temple was begun in the 18th year of Herod the Great’s reign, which would have been ca. 19 B.C. Forty-six years later would be around the Passover of A.D. 27/28.

Verse 21

John 2:21

But he spake of the temple of his body -- (ekeinos de elegen peri tou naou tou so¯matos autou). Emphatic he (ekeinos) and imperfect tense (he had been speaking). RWP.

His body ... which was the sanctuary in which all the fullness of the Godhead dwelt. Just as these Jews had defiled the temple in Jerusalem, so they would put Him to death in a few short years. BBC

The temple -- The Jews understood the Temple as the dwelling place of God, but the real Temple or dwelling place of God, at this time, was the body of Jesus.

Verse 22

John 2:22

Believed the scripture -- "trusted the scripture as absolutely true," Westcott.

Verse 23

John 2:23

Many believed -- Biblical faith involves three aspects - Trust, committment, and obedience. Eliminate one of the three and Biblical faith is lacking. 2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 10:16;

Saw the miracles -- This was the basis of their faith.

Verse 24

John 2:24

Commit himself ... (same word used for their belief in Him.) Westcott points out, "There is a contrast in tenses. The first verb marks a definite completed act; the second a habitual course of action."

He knew all men -- Lit. "On account of the fact of his knowing." Vincent.

Verse 25

John 2:25

Needed not -- The imperfect implies that this was always the case with Jesus.

Because he knew -- Imperfect "For he himself kept knowing" Robertson; "The glorified Christ sees to the bottom of every heart, detects every superficial confession, every trace of indifference or hositility." Lenski.