John 2:1
THE THIRD DAY] It was a three-days' journey from Judæa to Galilee. CANA] now Kana-el-Jelil, a village 9 m. NW. of Nazareth, called 'of Galilee' to distinguish it from Cana (Kanah) in Asher (Joshua 19:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD DAY] It was a three-days' journey from Judæa to Galilee. CANA] now Kana-el-Jelil, a village 9 m. NW. of Nazareth, called 'of Galilee' to distinguish it from Cana (Kanah) in Asher (Joshua 19:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WEDDING AT CANA. THE TEMPLE CLEANSED 1-11. The marriage at Cana. This miracle is not recorded by the synoptists because it occurred before the beginning of the ministry proper. St. John records it, because, spiritually interpreted, it forms a suitable introduction to our Lord's ministerial work... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE NO WINE] The deficiency happened towards the close of the festivities, which usually lasted seven or fourteen days (Judges 14:15; Tob 9:19). It was perhaps caused by the presence of so many (five or six) of the disciples of Jesus, and hence our Lord had a natural motive for working the mir... [ Continue Reading ]
WOMAN] A very gentle rebuke, but still a rebuke. Now that His ministry has actually begun, not even His mother may presume to suggest or control His course of action: cp. Matthew 12:46; Luke 11:27. 'Woman,' or, rather, 'Lady,' is in Greek a title of respect, used even in addressing queens. MINE HOUR... [ Continue Reading ]
PURIFYING] Washing the hands before dinner (Luke 11:38) is meant: cp. Mark 7:3, and see the full notes on Matthew 15:1. FIRKINS] Gk. _metretes_, about 9 gallons.... [ Continue Reading ]
RULER] an honoured guest, who presided at the entertainment.... [ Continue Reading ]
WELL DRUNK] RV 'drunk freely.' The expression is proverbial, and need not be literally interpreted of the present company.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGINNING OF MIRACLES] lit. 'signs.' Clearly Christ wrought no miracles in His childhood, as the Apocryphal Gospels assert. St. John calls our Lord's miracles 'signs,' because they indicate something beyond themselves. They are no mere marvels, but reveal God's character, Christ's divine nature, and... [ Continue Reading ]
SHORT VISIT TO CAPERNAUM. This unimportant event seems recorded for some personal reason. Perhaps it was the occasion of the first visit of Jesus to the evangelist's own house. BRETHREN] These are variously regarded as sons of Joseph by a former wife, sons of Joseph and Mary, and as cousins of Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST PASSOVER AND FIRST CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE. For a full commentary, see on Matthew 21:12. By a striking sign our Lord at the very outset of His ministry brought His claims before the whole nation. The rulers at once took up an attitude of hostility, although a few, like Nicodemus, were favourab... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ZEAL] Cited from Psalms 69:9. This Ps. is elsewhere quoted as Messianic, John 15:25; John 19:28; Acts 1:20; Romans 11:9; Romans 15:3, and is ascribed to David. The Psalmist complains that his zeal for God's house and for true religion has brought upon him bitter persecution and unnumbered calami... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews seek a sign. First prophecy of the Resurrection. 19. Destroy this temple (or, rather, 'sanctuary')] These words made a deep impression, and were quoted against Jesus, in a maliciously altered form, at His trial (Matthew 26:61). The evangelist understood them (John 2:21) to apply to the Resu... [ Continue Reading ]
Three temples have stood on Mt. Moriah: (1) Solomon's Temple, (2) Zerubbabel's Temple, (3) Herod's Temple. This last, however, some regard not as a new Temple, but as Zerubbabel's Temple repaired and enlarged. Herod the Great began to build it 20 b.c., and at this time, apparently, building operatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Many believe on Jesus, but with imperfect faith. 23. In the feast _day_] RV 'during the feast,' which lasted a week.... [ Continue Reading ]
DID NOT COMMIT (RV 'trust') HIMSELF UNTO THEM] because of their carnal conceptions of His person and work. They were impressed by His miracles, and thought that He would prove a militant and victorious Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]