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 2:3 mean?

Explanation

John 2:3 details an event at the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine.

This verse captures the moment when Mary, the mother of Jesus, brings a practical problem to her son's attention, indicating the wine provided for the celebration has run out.

While on the surface, the verse relays a simple concern about the provision of wine at a wedding feast, the mention of wine, which is often symbolic of joy and festivity in biblical terms, and Mary's approach to Jesus, hint at a deeper level of trust and recognition of Jesus' capacity to address needs beyond the ordinary.

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Historical Context

The Wedding at Cana is a scene set in the Gospel of John at a time when weddings were significant social events in Jewish culture, lasting several days.

The running out of wine would have been a major social embarrassment for the hosting family.

Within this cultural context, Mary's statement not only addresses a practical concern but also reflects the societal importance of hospitality and the shame associated with failing to provide adequately for guests.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse illustrates several key concepts:

Intercessory Role of Mary: Some Christian traditions view Mary's request as indicative of her role as an intercessor, through whom believers can approach Jesus.
Divine Providence: The interaction can be seen as a display of the providential care of Jesus, responding to human needs with divine resourcefulness.
Faith and Obedience: Mary's approach to Jesus also demonstrates a model of faith and obedience.

She doesn't dictate to Jesus what to do but simply presents the problem, showing her trust in his judgment and power.

Significance of Jesus' Miracles: In John's Gospel, miracles are signs that reveal Christ's glory and point to his divine identity as the Son of God.

Practical Applications

From this verse, Christians can draw several practical applications:

Trust: Followers of Christ are encouraged to bring their concerns to Jesus, trust in his timing, and be open to his way of resolving situations.
Responsiveness: Christians are invited to be sensitive to the needs around them and to take initiative in helping address those needs, possibly being an instrument for God’s work.
Community Support: The importance of community support and the value of stepping in during others' times of need is emphasized.

Cross-References

John 2:5: "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
John 2:11: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
Psalm 104:15: "And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."
Isaiah 25:6: "And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined."

Language Study

Original language studies focus on the Greek words used in the New Testament:

"Wine" (Greek: οἶνος, oinos): Refers to fermented grape juice, common in Jewish ceremonies and social gatherings.
"They have no" (Greek: οὐκ ἔχουσιν, ouk echousin): Implies a state of lacking or being without something deemed necessary.
"Saith unto him" (Greek: λέγει αὐτῷ, legei autō): Mary's addressing Jesus indicates a direct, personal communication that is often of significant or intimate nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious traditions, figures like Dionysus in Greek mythology are associated with wine, signifying divine provision and abundance.

Mary’s turning to Jesus reflects similar themes of divine interaction but within the unique context of Jesus' identity and mission as understood in Christian theology.

Scientific Perspectives

The transformation of water into wine involves complex fermentation processes which from a scientific viewpoint, cannot occur instantaneously by natural means. This underscores the miracle that Jesus performs, as it transcends natural scientific explanations.

Commentaries

Traditional biblical commentaries may focus on varied aspects of this verse:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes Mary's faith and the respect between her and Jesus, suggesting that even though Jesus' response seems dismissive, Mary's faith is unfazed, indicating her understanding of Jesus' divine capabilities.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary highlights the social embarrassment of running out of wine and sees Jesus' reaction as a sign of his divinity, distinguishing between earthly relations and his divine mission.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary affirms Mary's respectful request and Jesus' subsequent compassionate response reflect his glory and his power to provide abundantly to meet human needs.

John 2

John 2

What does John 2:3 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 2:3 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?