John — Chapter 2

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1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9When 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,

10And 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.

11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

13And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15And 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;

16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21But he spake of the temple of his body.

22When 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.

23Now 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.

24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews` manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it.

9And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom,

10and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when [men] have drunk freely, [then] that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and [his] brethren, and his disciples; and there they abode not many days.

13And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers` money, and overthrew their tables;

16and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father`s house a house of merchandise.

17His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.

18The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?

21But he spake of the temple of his body.

22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.

24But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men,

25and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

1Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,

2and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.”

4Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come.”

5His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

6Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding 20 or 30 gallons.

7Jesus told the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top.

8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” and they did.

9When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom

10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days.

13Now the Jewish Feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables.

15So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

16To those who sold the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!”

17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will devour me.”

18So then the Jewish leaders responded, “What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things?”

19Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again.”

20Then the Jewish leaders said to him, “This temple has been under construction for 46 years, and are you going to raise it up in three days?”

21But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body.

22So after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken.

23Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing.

24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them because he knew all people.

25He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.

1The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.

2Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.

3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”

4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”

5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

6Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.

7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim.

8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.

9When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,

10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

15He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables.

16To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”

17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”

18The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”

19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”

21But he spoke of the temple of his body.

22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.

24But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone,

25and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus performs His first sign by turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, then cleanses the temple in Jerusalem and speaks of raising "this temple" in three days — pointing to His resurrection.

Authorship & Background

Author: The Apostle John (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 2 contains two pivotal events — the first miracle at the wedding in Cana, and the first cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. Both events reveal Jesus' authority: over nature (water to wine) and over worship (purifying the Temple). John places these early in his Gospel to establish immediately that Jesus is no ordinary teacher.
Wedding at Cana: Weddings in first-century Jewish culture were major community events lasting 7 days. Running out of wine was a serious social disgrace for the host family. Mary's request to Jesus shows her confidence in His ability to act.
Temple Cleansing: The outer courts of the Temple (Court of the Gentiles) had become a marketplace where money changers and animal sellers operated, often exploiting worshippers. Jesus' response was not passive — He made a whip and drove them out, demonstrating righteous anger at the corruption of His Father's house.

Map & Geography

  • Cana of Galilee (v.1): A village in Galilee (exact location debated — possibly Kefr Kenna, 4 miles northeast of Nazareth). Jesus performed His first miracle here.
  • Jerusalem / the Temple (v.13): Jesus went up to Jerusalem for Passover and cleansed the Temple. John places this early in Jesus' ministry (the Synoptics record a later cleansing).

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik addresses the meaning of "mine hour is not yet come" (v.4), the significance of the six stone waterpots, and the two Temple cleansings (John's early cleansing vs. the synoptic Gospels' later one).
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Obedience to Christ" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 12, No. 680) "Whatever He says to you, do it — not part of it, not a modified version of it, not what you think He probably means — but what He says. This is the secret of blessing: simple, prompt, complete obedience." Sermon: "The Zeal of Thine House" (MTP Vol. 9, No. 496) Spurgeon on the Temple cleansing: "Christ's anger was not the anger of wounded pride but of wounded love — love for His Father's honor, love for the worshippers being robbed, love for the Gentiles whose court had been turned into a market."

Videos

David Guzik — Enduring Word Video Series (John)

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QIfO0mxbX4zgQH4vuK6q1q7gu8Ok6tz John 2:1-12 - Revealed at Cana: John 2:13-25 - Revealed in the Temple:

Reflection

  • 1. Mary's instruction — "Whatever He says to you, do it" (v.5) — is the simplest and most complete description of the Christian life. Where are you currently hearing something from Christ that you haven't fully acted on yet?
  • 2. Jesus saved the best wine for last (v.10). God's provision often exceeds our expectations and comes at the right time, not our time. Where in your life are you struggling to trust God's timing?
  • 3. Jesus' zeal for His Father's house (v.17) shows that righteous anger has a place — when God's honor is at stake. As a man, are there things in your home, workplace, or community that should stir righteous anger in you? What would it look like to act on that?
  • 4. "He knew what was in man" (v.25). Jesus doesn't need your resume or your reputation — He sees exactly who you are. That can be humbling or freeing depending on where you stand with Him. How does being fully known by Christ affect how you approach Him?
  • 5. The servants obeyed Jesus' instruction to fill the pots with water before they saw any miracle. They acted in faith before they saw results. What step of obedience is God asking you to take right now, before you see the outcome?
  • 6. Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding — an ordinary social event. What does it say about God that He cares about the everyday details and potential embarrassments of our lives?
  • 7. Jesus drove out the money changers with a whip He made Himself. This was deliberate, not impulsive. What is the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger? How do you tell the difference in your own life?
  • 8. Many believed in Jesus because of His miracles (v.23), but Jesus didn't entrust Himself to them because He knew their hearts (v.24-25). What is the difference between being impressed by Jesus and truly trusting Him?
  • 9. The disciples didn't fully understand Jesus' words about the Temple until after the resurrection (v.22). Is there something in Scripture you don't fully understand yet that you're trusting God to make clear in time?