AND THE THIRD DAY - On the third day after his conversation with Nathanael. CANA - This was a small town about 15 miles northwest of Tiberias and 6 miles northeast of Nazareth. It is now called Kerr Kenna, is under the government of a Turkish officer, and contains perhaps 300 inhabitants, chiefly Ca... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS DISCIPLES - Those that he had made when in Judea. These were Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael. They were not yet called to be apostles, but they believed that he was the Messiah. The miracle performed here was doubtless to convince them more fully that he was the Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY WANTED WINE - A marriage feast among the Jews was commonly observed for seven or eight days. It is not probable that there would be a want of wine at the marriage itself, and it is possible, therefore, that Jesus came there some time during the marriage feast. THEY HAVE NO WINE - It is no... [ Continue Reading ]
WOMAN - This term, as used here, seems to imply reproof, as if she was interfering in that which did not properly concern her; but it is evident that no such reproof or disrespect was intended by the use of the term “woman” instead of “mother.” It is the same term by which he tenderly addressed Mary... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS MOTHER SAITH ... - It is evident from this verse that his mother did not understand what he had said as a harsh reproof and repulse, but as an indication of his willingness at the proper time to furnish wine. In all this transaction he evinced the appropriate feelings of a son toward a mother.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIX WATER-POTS OF STONE - Made of stone; or, as we should say, stoneware. AFTER THE MANNER - After the usual custom. OF THE PURIFYING - Of the “washings” or ablutions of the Jews. They were for the purpose of washing the hands before and after eating Matthew 15:2, and for the formal washing of ves... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH WATER - This was done by the servants employed at the feast. It was done by “them,” so that there might be no opportunity of saying that the disciples of Jesus had filled them with wine to produce the “appearance” of a miracle. In this case there could be no deception. The quantity was very con... [ Continue Reading ]
DRAW OUT NOW - This command was given to the servants. It showed that the miracle had been performed immediately. As soon as they were filled the servants were directed to take to the governor of the feast. Jesus made no parade about it, and it does not even appear that he approached the waterpots.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KNEW NOT WHENCE IT WAS - This is said, probably, to indicate that his judgment was not biased by any favor, or any lack of favor, toward Jesus. Had he known what was done, he would have been less likely to have judged impartially. As it is, we have his testimony that this was real wine, and of s... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY MAN - It is customary, or it is generally done. WHEN MEN HAVE WELL DRUNK - This word does not of necessity mean that they were intoxicated, though it is usually employed in that sense. It may mean when they have drunk sufficient, or to satiety; or have drunk so much as to produce hilarity, an... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS BEGINNING OF MIRACLES - This his first public miracle. This is declared by the sacred writer to be a “miracle” - that is, an exertion of divine power, producing a change of the substance of water into wine, which no human power could do. MANIFESTED FORTH - Showed; exhibited. HIS GLORY - His p... [ Continue Reading ]
TO CAPERNAUM - See the notes at Matthew 4:13. NOT MANY DAYS - The reason why he remained there no longer was that the Passover was near, and they went up to Jerusalem to attend it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS’ PASSOVER - The feast among the Jews called the Passover. See the notes at Matthew 26:2. AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM - Every male among the Jews was required to appear at this feast. Jesus, in obedience to the law, went up to observe it. This is the first Passover on which he attended af... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUND IN THE TEMPLE ... - The transaction here recorded is in almost all respects similar to that which has been explained in the notes at Matthew 21:12. This took place at the commencement of his public ministry; that at the close. On each occasion he showed that his great regard was for the pure w... [ Continue Reading ]
A SCOURGE - A whip. OF SMALL CORDS - This whip was made as an emblem of authority, and also for the purpose of driving from the temple the cattle which had been brought there for sale. There is no evidence that he used any violence to the men engaged in that unhallowed traffic. The original word im... [ Continue Reading ]
IT WAS WRITTEN ... - This is recorded in Psalms 69:9. Its meaning is, that he was affected with great zeal or concern for the pure worship of God. THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE - “Zeal” is intense ardor in reference to any object. The “zeal of thine house” means extraordinary concern for the temple of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SIGN ... - What “miracle” dost thou work? He assumed the character of a prophet. He was reforming, by his “authority,” the temple. It was natural to ask by what authority this was done; and as they had been accustomed to miracles in the life of Moses, and Elijah, and the other prophets, so they... [ Continue Reading ]
DESTROY THIS TEMPLE - The evangelist informs us John 2:21 that by “temple,” here, he meant his body. It is not improbable that he pointed with his finger to his body as he spoke. The word “destroy,” used here in the “imperative,” has rather the force of the “future.” Its meaning may thus be expresse... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID THE JEWS ... - The Jews, either from the ambiguity of his language, or more probably from a design to cavil, understood him as speaking of the temple at Jerusalem. What he said here is all the evidence that they could adduce on his trial Matthew 26:61; Mark 14:58, and they reproached him w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD ... - This saying of our Saviour at that time seemed obscure and difficult. The disciples did not understand it, but they treasured it up in their memory, and the event showed what was its true meaning. Many prophecies are obscure when spoken which are perfectly plain... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAST-DAY - Feast. During the celebration of the Passover, which continued eight days. MIRACLES WHICH HE DID - These miracles are not particularly recorded. Jesus took occasion to work miracles, and to preach at that time, for a great multitude were present from all parts of Judea. It was a favorab... [ Continue Reading ]
DID NOT COMMIT HIMSELF - The word translated “commit” here is the same which in John 2:23 is translated “believed.” It means to put “trust” or “confidence in.” Jesus did not put “trust” or “reliance” in them. He did not leave himself in their hands. He acted cautiously and prudently. The proper time... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD TESTIFY OF MAN - Should give him the character of any man. HE KNEW WHAT WAS IN MAN - This he did because he had made all John 1:3, and because he was God, John 1:1. There can be no higher evidence than this that he was omniscient, and was therefore divine. To search the heart is the prerogati... [ Continue Reading ]