John 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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.

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

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

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

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

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;

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

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

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

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

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

But he spake of the temple of his body.

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.

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.

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

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

What does John 2:12 mean?

Explanation

John 2:12 describes the movement of Jesus and his group , his mother, brothers, and disciples , from Cana, where Jesus performed his first recorded miracle of turning water into wine, to Capernaum, a town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

This verse serves as a transitional statement in John's Gospel, marking a physical move from one location to another.

Literally, the verse implies that Jesus and his companions did not remain in Capernaum for long, suggesting that their stay was temporary.

The inclusion of his family (mother and brothers) along with his disciples highlights the communal nature of Jesus' ministry.

Deeper meanings may arise from how this transition between locations correlates with the unfolding of Jesus' early ministry.

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Historical Context

At the time of Jesus, Capernaum was an important Galilean city.

It was known for its fishing industry and its location on a major trade route called the Via Maris, which connected Egypt with the northern empires.

The move from Cana to Capernaum might reflect a strategic choice, positioning Jesus' ministry in a more populous and diverse setting.

John's Gospel was written at a time when establishing Jesus' authority and the spread of his message were crucial, so mentioning the movement to significant cities may also underscore the expansion of Jesus' influence.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the movement of Jesus serves various purposes.

Some would see in this the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies that a light would shine in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2), while others might consider Jesus' itinerant ministry as indicative of his role as a rabbi who teaches not just through words, but also through actions.

The transient nature of Jesus' stay in Capernaum could also be interpreted as a reflection of the Christian life, where believers are not to be overly attached to worldly places, as their ultimate home is the Kingdom of Heaven (Hebrews 13:14).

Practical Applications

The practical applications of John 2:12 may include the embrace of change and transition as part of one's spiritual journey.

Christians might find encouragement to spread their faith beyond their immediate surroundings and comfort zones.

Moreover, the communal aspect of Jesus' journey with his disciples and family can serve as an example of the importance of Christian fellowship and the support it provides.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:13: "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:"
Mark 2:1: "And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house."
John 2:1-11: The verses describe the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, preceding the events of verse 12.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "Capernaum" (Καφαρναούμ) is of Hebrew origin and may mean "village of consolation." The Greek words for "mother" (μήτηρ) and "brothers" (ἀδελφοί) can also suggest a broader understanding of family, as 'brothers' could include close associates or kin beyond the immediate family.

Similarly, the phrase "not many days" (οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας) could indicate a brief period, emphasizing the temporary nature of the stay.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison with other ancient myths and religious narratives, the itinerant nature of religious figures is a recurrent theme.

Many religious texts describe the journeys of their leaders as they spread teachings and interact with various individuals and communities. The inclusion of family in these journeys could also be seen in other religious contexts, indicating a holistic approach to ministry and teaching.

Scientific Perspectives

The passage does not directly intersect with scientific understandings in terms of empirical data or theories.

However, the mention of geographical locations, which have been verified by archaeological finds, lends historical credibility to the biblical narrative. Modern scientific disciplines such as archaeology and geography contribute to our understanding of the settings of biblical events.

Commentaries

Commentators offer varying perspectives on John 2:12.

Some suggest that Jesus travelled to Capernaum to continue his public ministry, considering its strategic location and diverse population. Others focus on the personal relationships depicted in the verse, highlighting the presence of Jesus' family along with his disciples.

Commentators also debate the identification of the "brothers" mentioned , whether they were Jesus' literal siblings, which would have implications for beliefs about the perpetual virginity of Mary, or whether "brothers" was used more broadly to mean kinsmen or close followers.

Interpretations of the temporal phrase "not many days" range from suggesting a sense of urgency in Jesus' mission to a simple transition in the narrative.

John 2

John 2

What does John 2:12 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 2:12 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?