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 2:9 mean?

Explanation

John 2:9 describes an event at a wedding feast in Cana, where Jesus performs his first recorded miracle by turning water into wine.

The "ruler of the feast" or "governor of the feast" is likely the master of ceremonies or person in charge of the banquet's proceedings.

He tastes the wine that Jesus has miraculously made from water and is impressed by its quality, but he does not know where it came from.

In contrast, the servants who had drawn the water knew of the miracle that had taken place.

The governor then calls the bridegroom to commend him for serving such fine wine at this stage in the festivities, breaking with the custom of serving the best wine first and lesser quality wine as guests became less discerning.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John places this event early in Jesus' ministry.

Weddings in first-century Jewish culture were significant social events, typically lasting multiple days.

Wine was an essential element of the celebration, symbolizing joy and abundance.

A shortage would have been a considerable embarrassment for the host family.

The role of the "ruler of the feast" would have been to ensure the smooth running of the event, including the quality and quantity of wine served.

This context highlights Jesus' role as a provider and hint at his divine authority to perform miracles.

Theological Insights

This verse contributes to several theological themes:

Divine Provision: Jesus' miracle can be seen as a sign of God's plenty and willingness to provide for human needs.
Jesus' Messianic Identity: In the Gospel of John, the miracles of Jesus, referred to as "signs," reveal his divine nature and messianic identity.
The New Covenant: The transformation of water (representing the old Jewish purification rituals) into wine (symbolizing the joy of the New Covenant) can be interpreted as a metaphor for the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.

Different Christian denominations may emphasize various aspects of this passage. For instance, the Catholic Church often sees this event as a scriptural support for the sacramentality of marriage, while Protestant interpretations may focus on the symbolism of Jesus as a provider and transformer.

Practical Applications

This verse can teach the following practical lessons:

Hospitality and Generosity: Followers of Christ are encouraged to provide generously for others, reflecting the generosity of God.
Faith in God's Provision: Believers can trust in God's ability to provide in unexpected ways and be reassured that He cares about everyday needs.
Celebration: Christian life embraces celebration and joy, recognizing that God is present in life's significant moments.

Cross-References

John 4:46-54: Another of Jesus' miracles in Cana, emphasizing His power over sickness.
Matthew 26:29: Parallels with the Last Supper, where Jesus speaks of wine as his blood, marking the New Covenant.
Psalm 104:14-15: A psalm celebrating God's provision, including wine to gladden human hearts.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse are:

"οἰνοπότης" (oinopotēs) – often translated as "ruler of the feast" or "governor," referring to the individual responsible for the banquet.
"ὕδωρ" (hudōr) – "water," representing the purification jars' contents that Jesus turns into wine.
"οἶνος" (oinos) – "wine," which in this context is a symbol of abundance and joy.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This miracle of transforming water into wine bears similarities with other ancient myths where gods provide abundantly for their followers, such as the Dionysian myths, where the Greek god Dionysus is associated with wine, festivity, and regeneration.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, turning water directly into wine - a process involving the fermentation of sugars into alcohol - would suspend natural laws. This account is treated as a supernatural event beyond the explanation of current scientific understanding.

Commentaries

Various experts and theologians have offered commentary on this verse:

Matthew Henry: Henry sees this miracle as a demonstration of Christ's power over nature and a sign meant to lead to belief in Him.
William Barclay: Barclay notes the social implications of running out of wine and presents Jesus as one who rescues the family from shame.
**Craig S.

Keener**: In his commentary, Keener points to the symbolism of wine in John's Gospel and suggests that Jesus' miracles point to deeper spiritual truths, such as the joy and fullness that come from Christ.

John 2

John 2

What does John 2:9 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 2:9 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?