John Chapter 2 — The Wedding at Cana and Temple Cleansing
Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana and later clears the money changers from the temple in Jerusalem.
1The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
2Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding.
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*2 to 3 metretes is about 20 to 30 U. S. Gallons, or 75 to 115 liters. apiece.
7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So 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 drove 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.”✡Psalms 69:9
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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
John 2:5
“His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.””
This verse highlights Mary's confidence in Jesus' authority and serves as a call to obedience for the servants.
John 2:11
“This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
It identifies the miracle at Cana as the first sign that manifested Jesus' glory and strengthened the faith of his disciples.
John 2:19
“Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.””
This is a significant prophecy where Jesus identifies his own body as the true temple, referring to his future resurrection.
Chapter Summary
John Chapter 2 documents two significant events at the start of Jesus' public ministry. First, while attending a wedding in Cana with his mother and disciples, Jesus turns six large water pots of water into high-quality wine after the hosts run out. This is identified as the first of his signs, leading his disciples to believe in him. Following this, Jesus travels to Jerusalem for the Passover. Upon entering the temple, he finds merchants and money changers conducting business. Jesus makes a whip of cords and drives them out, instructing them not to turn his Father’s house into a marketplace. When asked for a sign of his authority, he speaks of destroying and raising the temple in three days, which his disciples later understand as a reference to his resurrection. The chapter concludes by noting that while many believed due to his signs, Jesus understood the hearts of all people and did not need anyone to testify about mankind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. After the wine ran out, he had servants fill six stone jars with water, which was then served to the master of the feast as high-quality wine.
Jesus cleared the temple because he found people selling livestock and exchanging money in the sacred space. He drove them out to prevent his Father's house from being used as a marketplace, demonstrating his zeal for God's house.
Although the observers thought he was talking about the physical building that took forty-six years to build, the text clarifies that Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body, referring to his death and resurrection.
The text mentions that Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited guests to the wedding in Cana.
Study Note
The six stone water pots mentioned in verse 6 were typically used for Jewish purification rites, suggesting a symbolic transition from ritual law to the new wine of the Gospel.
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