John 2:1–12 – The Wedding at Cana
John 2:(1–2) Wedding in Cana - Jesus’ Mother Involved
“On the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.”
“On the third day” links back to John 1:43 and shows a timeline of Jesus’ early ministry. Weddings were major social events in Jewish culture, often lasting a week. Mary is likely a close friend or relative of the hosts, perhaps helping with the wedding arrangements. Jesus and His disciples were invited, possibly because He was gaining attention or out of family ties.
John 2:(3–5) No Wine Left - My Hour Hasn’t Come - Do Whatever He Says
“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”
Running out of wine was a serious social embarrassment. Mary’s concern may reflect more than hospitality; it is perhaps an expectation of Jesus’ intervention. The word “Woman” sounds harsh in English, but in Greek, it is a respectful address for a person (like “Ma’am”), though it remains formal. “What does this have to do with me?” is a Hebrew idiom meaning, “Why are you involving me?”. Jesus indicates a shift in His relationship with Mary, where His actions now follow His Father’s will. “My hour has not yet come,” where “Hour” refers to the time of His glorification, primarily through His death and resurrection. Mary doesn’t argue; as she trusts Him, showing faith by telling the servants to obey Him.
John 2: (6–10) Six Waterpots of Stone - Fill Pots with Water - Take It to the Governor - Water Became Wine - Good Wine Last
Jesus turns water into wine. There were six stone jars for Jewish purification rites, each holding 20–30 gallons. Jesus tells the servants to fill them with water and draw some out. The water becomes wine, a sign (Greek: semeion) pointing to Jesus’ divine nature. The master of the feast, unaware of the miracle, praises the quality of the wine. This symbolically tells us that Jesus is bringing something better than Jewish ritual purification. He brings new wine, joy, and transformation.
John 2:(11) His Glory Revealed
“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”. This miracle revealed Jesus’ glory in a subtle but powerful way. “First of his signs”, John records seven significant signs pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. The disciples’ belief deepens as this is an early stage of their faith journey.
The Seven Signs (Miracles) traditionally identified in the Gospel of John:
Turning Water into Wine. (John 2:1–11)
Healing the Royal Official’s Son. (John 4:46–54)
Healing the Paralyzed Man at Bethesda (John 5:1–15)
Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1–14)
Walking on Water (John 6:16–21)
Healing the Man Born Blind (John 9:1–41)
Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1–44)
John 2:(12) Went to Capernaum
“After this, he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.”
Jesus transitions to Capernaum, a key location in His Galilean ministry. “Brothers” refers to Jesus’ biological half-siblings (Matthew 13:55), showing Mary had other children after Jesus.
John 2:(13–25) Jesus Cleanses the Temple
John 2:(13) Passover Was Near
“The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”
This is the first of three Passovers mentioned in John, giving us a rough 3-year timeline for Jesus’ public ministry. Passover was a major festival commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12).
John 2:(14–16) Temple Found in Commerce - Drove Out Merchants - Do Not Make Marketplace
“In the temple, he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple...”
Merchants and money-changers operated in the Court of the Gentiles, converting foreign currency and selling sacrificial animals. While these services were necessary, they had likely become corrupt and exploitative, turning a place of prayer into a market. Jesus’s forceful action with the whip shows righteous anger, not violence for harm, but zealous cleansing. He demands reverence for the temple, which is God’s house.
John 2:(17) Zeal for House Consumes
“His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’”
This is a quote from (Psalm 69:9), connecting Jesus’ passion for authentic worship with Scripture. This shows the disciples interpreting Jesus’ actions through a messianic lens.
Psalm 69:9 (ESV)
“For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.”
This verse expresses devotion and suffering. The Psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, declares his deep care for God’s house. So much so that his passion leads to personal suffering, those who insult or mock God end up directing their hostility toward the psalmist as well. This verse is also quoted in the New Testament in reference to Jesus:
John 2:17: “His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” (after Jesus cleansed the temple)
Romans 15:3: Paul references the second part of the verse, applying it to Christ bearing the insults directed at God.
It serves as a messianic prophecy, showing how Jesus’ passion for God’s glory led to his suffering on behalf of others.
John 2:(18–19) Jews Demand a Sign - Destroy Temple, Raise It
“So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.’”
“The Jews” refers to the religious leaders who challenge Jesus’ authority. Jesus’ response is cryptic. He speaks of His body as the true temple, foreshadowing His death and resurrection. The Jews misunderstood, thinking He meant the physical temple.
John 2:(20) He Meant His Body
“It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it in three days?”
This refers to Herod’s ongoing renovation of the Second Temple. They’re thinking in material terms, and Jesus is speaking spiritually.
John 2:(21) Disciples Remembered Later
“But he was speaking about the temple of his body.”
John clarifies the more profound meaning: Jesus is the new center of God’s presence and worship. After His resurrection, this becomes clear.
John 2:(22) Scripture Was Fulfilled
“When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Jesus’ resurrection becomes the key that unlocks all understanding. The disciples’ belief matures as they connect His words with the Old Testament.
John 2:(23–25) Many Believed His Name - Jesus Knew All Men - He Knew Their Hearts
(23) Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. (24) But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, (25) and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
Many believed, but their faith was shallow and was based on signs, not an accurate understanding or a relationship. Jesus “did not entrust himself” because He knew their hearts. This emphasizes that genuine faith involves more than fascination with miracles; it requires a heart transformation.
What have we learned?
Jesus’ Glory Revealed through a quiet miracle and a bold prophetic act.
Jesus replaces old forms with something better, as exemplified by a New Wine &a New Worship.
Jesus Himself is now the proper dwelling place of God.
True belief (faith) goes deeper than any signs; it involves recognizing who Jesus truly is.
Five Questions and Answers
What was Jesus’ first miracle, and where did it take place?
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1–11). This revealed His glory and confirmed His divine power to His disciples.
Why did Mary approach Jesus during the wedding feast?
Mary noticed the wine had run out and came to Jesus with faith that He could help. Despite His reply, “My hour has not yet come,” she told the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:3 5), displaying absolute trust in Him.
What is the spiritual meaning of turning water into wine?
The miracle symbolized transformation — from the old covenant of law to the new covenant of grace. The wine reflected the abundant joy and new life that comes through Jesus Christ.
What did Jesus do in the temple, and why?
When Jesus entered the temple, He saw merchants and money changers exploiting worshippers. He made a whip of cords and drove them out, saying, “Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (John 2:13-16). This showed His zeal for holiness and proper worship.
What did Jesus mean by, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it”?
Jesus was referring not to the building, but to His body (John 2:19–21). It was a prophecy of His death and resurrection — that though He would be crucified, He would rise again on the third day.