John 2:1–16

Explore the Bible 
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

AUTHORITY ACKNOWLEDGED

John 2:1–16

Obey Jesus (1–5)
Jesus and His disciples are attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee, located around 8 miles north of His hometown of Nazareth. That Jesus, His mother and His disciples are all invited to this wedding suggests the wedding is for a relative or close family friend. It is not impossible that Mary has some responsibility for the organization of the catering, hence her attempt to deal with the shortage of wine.

A wedding celebration could last as long as a week, and the financial responsibility lay with the groom. To run out of wine would be a dreadful embarrassment in the Jewish culture. Yet this wedding celebration ran out of wine. Mary shares this agonizing predicament with Jesus, expecting Him to do something to remedy the shortage of wine. Jesus responds to Mary: “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus’ address for His mother, “Woman,” is an expression of polite distance, as is His question to her. Jesus declares that His “hour has not yet come.” In John, Jesus’ “hour” is the time of His crucifixion and the exaltation bound up with it. At this point in His ministry, because of people’s misconceptions about the coming Messiah, Jesus chooses not to reveal Himself openly to Israel. Even this miracle is done quietly.

Mary instructs the servants “to do whatever He tells you.” In saying this to the servants, Mary demonstrates persevering faith. Mary does not know what Jesus will do, but she has committed the matter to Him and she trusts Him. In verse 3 Mary approaches Jesus as His mother and is politely rebuked. In verse 5 she responds as a believer, and her faith is honored. The servants obey Jesus and are witnesses of His power and glory. As Christians we acknowledge that Jesus has authority over us by obeying Him. In what area of your life do you need to acknowledge Jesus’ lordship and begin obeying Him?

Grow in Faith (6–11)
Jesus has the servants fill six stone water jars “up to the brim.” Jesus commands the servants to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. He is amazed at the quality of wine the servant brought him. This first miracle, or sign, attests to Jesus’ identity as Messiah and Son of God and leads unbelievers to faith. John also states that Jesus’ disciples watched as Jesus turned the water into wine, understood what the miracle meant and grew in their faith in Him.

The statement that this is Jesus’ first miracle indicates that Jesus did not do any miracles during His childhood or early manhood, contrary to numerous apocryphal stories outside the New Testament. In each of the signs that John includes, the emphasis is on the way in which the sign reveals Jesus’ messianic identity and on the striking and exceptional nature of the miracle accomplished by Jesus. The large quantity and high quality of wine Jesus creates demonstrates that He is the Messiah.

This miracle shows the glory of Jesus as the sovereign Creator of the physical universe. It also manifests Jesus’ glory as the merciful God who abundantly provides for His people’s needs. As we see Jesus at work in our lives, our faith in Jesus grows. As we acknowledge Jesus’ authority over us, we grow in our faith in Him.

Make Worship Genuine (12–16)
The oxen, sheep and pigeons were used in the sacrificial worship of the temple. Especially for worshippers coming from a distance it was a convenience to be able to purchase them on site rather than having to bring them from afar. The money-changers converted various world currencies into the approved Tyrian coinage.

The presence of animals for sale and money-changers in the Court of the Gentiles disrupted the worship of non-Jewish God-fearers and thus obstructed the very purpose for which the temple existed. As we acknowledge Jesus’ authority over us, we remove any distraction that hinders our worship.