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 2:23 mean?

Explanation

John 2:23 speaks of an occasion during the Jewish festival of Passover where Jesus is in Jerusalem and performs miracles.

Many individuals who witnessed these miracles started to believe in him, associating his name with the divine power demonstrated through these miraculous acts.

The verse highlights both the immediate impact of Jesus's miracles on the spectators' belief and the importance of signs in Jesus's ministry as a means for people to recognize his divine authority and messianic identity.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Passover was one of the most significant Jewish festivals, commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

The event took place annually, and Jews from various regions would come to Jerusalem to celebrate.

The city would have been bustling with pilgrims.

This context stresses the public nature of Jesus's miracles and the wide exposure he received.

By performing miracles during such a significant festival, his actions would gain considerable attention and stir various reactions among the crowds.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Jesus's miracles are often seen as signs of the kingdom of God at hand and proof of Jesus's divinity.

Some Christian traditions emphasize the importance of faith, suggesting that witnessing miracles can lead to belief in Jesus as the Son of God.

Different denominations, however, may vary in their emphasis on miracles, with some viewing them as essential to the faith while others caution against seeking signs as the sole basis for belief.

Practical Applications

The verse can encourage individuals to recognize and appreciate miraculous occurrences in everyday life and to see them as opportunities to strengthen faith.

In practical terms, it encourages believers to witness to their faith, understanding that personal transformations and acts of kindness can be powerful testimonies to others.

It also invites reflection on how people come to faith and the role of personal experiences in that journey.

Cross-References

John 4:48: "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
John 20:29: "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Exodus 12:14-17 - Describes the Passover festival and its significance to the Jewish people.
Acts 2:22: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know."
1 Corinthians 1:22-23: "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;"

Language Study

In the original Greek, the phrase "many believed in his name" uses the word "ἐπίστευσαν" (episteusan) for "believed," which implies not just intellectual assent but also a trusting commitment and faith in Jesus.

The term "σημεῖα" (semeia) translated as "miracles," means "signs," which in Johannine context points to acts that reveal divine character or purpose.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The expectation of signs and wonders as validations of divine authority was not unique to Judaism or Christianity.

In various ancient cultures, miraculous feats were often associated with gods, heroes, or significant religious figures.

In the Greco-Roman world, stories abound of deities and demigods performing supernatural acts.

Comparative religious studies also show that prophetic visions, dreams, and miraculous events are common elements in confirming divine favor or authenticity in many religious traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, miracles, by definition, are phenomena that lie outside of the natural order and, thus, outside of scientific explanation.

While science may seek to understand events through the laws of nature, it does not posit answers for occurrences deemed supernatural. In cases of reported miracles, science may either offer alternative natural explanations or simply acknowledge the event as unexplained.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse interpretations of John 2:23.

Some suggest that the belief of the people was superficial, as it depended on witnessing miracles.

Others focus on Jesus's role in fulfilling Old Testament prophecies through these signs.

Commentaries may also explore the nature and purposes of Jesus's miracles, concluding that they serve to authenticate his message and reveal his glory, and that they invite observers to a deeper understanding and commitment to his teachings.

John 2

John 2

What does John 2:23 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 2:23 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?