John 2:1-11

Family Bible Study
Professor and Chair, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Samford University

Transforming Power
John 2:1–11

This episode is about Jesus changing a large amount of water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. The importance of how John records the event seems greater than that act itself. Even though the miracle is unusual, it’s not on the level as healing the blind and lepers, or raising Lazarus from the dead, or Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. But John says that it “revealed his glory, and his disciples believed on him” (v. 11).

The Wedding
We are not told whose wedding took place or why Jesus and his six disciples (the other six were not called by this time) were invited. Though the wedding is the occasion for Jesus’ first miracle in John, the details of the bride and groom are not front stage. Weddings generally took one week. It would begin with a vow of marriage, but the couple would not live together until the week was past. At the end of the time there would be a solemn ceremony and then a feast during which gifts would be given. John says Jesus came on the third day. This time probably does not refer to the third day of the wedding week, because it seems the feast has already started. Most likely the duration refers back to when Philip was called as a disciple.

Jesus’ mother is the first to notice the wine has run out. She might have been working at the wedding as a friend of the family. John does not name her, or anywhere else in the Gospel. She comes to Jesus expecting Him to do something, though not specified, about the shortage.

Jesus’ answer is perplexing (see v. 4). On one hand, it appears rather flippant and dismissive. But in that He does produce the gift of good wine, Jesus takes the occasion seriously for its significance. On the other hand, He connects His mother’s request to His own ministry.

The wedding becomes a concern for him, and by his actions a purpose of His ministry becomes evident to her and His disciples.

The Sign
John does not use the typical word for miracle to describe what occurred (i.e., thauma). Rather he calls it a “sign” (v. 11). The emphasis is less on the physical act and more on its religious significance. The attention is not on how the event happened but on why it did.

The six jars containing about 120 gallons were used ceremoniously to wash during the wedding and feast. The implication is many were attending the wedding and hence the water must have been somewhat dirty. John does say what Jesus actually does to change the water into wine, but the transformation makes a wine with a good, fermented taste (v. 10). The chief steward is amazed at its quality and brags about it to the bride and groom. How does this miracle reveal Jesus’ glory?

The Significance
John focuses on the disciple’s response to the episode. Nothing is said of how the crowd responds to Jesus. The disciples believe in Him because of the event.

In chapter one, Jesus had called each, and they sensed in Him a special calling. But now they begin to see what that calling is. Their belief is not merely in amazement of how He could do such a miracle. They must have seen another feature in the event.

In various prophecies wine is connected with divine restoration and salvation. Amos 9:13-14, Hosea 14:7, and Jeremiah 31:12 indicate that when God liberates God’s people and they prosper in a new covenant, there will be celebration and joy. Wine is symbolic of this salvation.

As John records this miracle (though it’s not found in the other three Gospels), the association is not necessarily between the act and God’s glory, but between Jesus’ messianic ministry and God’s glory.

By changing the water into the great amount of good wine, Jesus signifies the celebration of a new day, one in which new wine needs new wineskins (see Mark 2:19-22 and its parallels). His “hour” to start His work as the Messiah had come.

This interpretation gives some background understanding for what happens immediately after the miracle. Jesus drives out the merchants and moneychangers from the Temple where they had profaned the House of Prayer  with commercial and profiteering motives.