Skip to content

Commentaries
English
John
  
4. Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana
(John 2:1–12)
1On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.2Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples.3When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."4And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come."5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."6Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it.9When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom10and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."


Jesus led his disciples from the vale of repentance round the Baptist in the Jordan gorge, to the hills of Galilee to take part in the joys of a wedding. This journey of 100 kilometers shows us the radical change between the two Testaments. No longer would believers dwell in the shadow of Law, but in the joy of righteousness with Jesus the rising Sun and giver of Peace.
Jesus was not an ascetic as the Baptist was. For that reason the departure of Christ with his disciples to the happiness of a common celebration was a miracle in itself. He did not ban wine, since he taught that it was not what entered a man that defiled, but filthy thoughts that came out from the heart of man was what defiled him. Jesus did not reject asceticism or austerity, but taught that these lifestyles were of little use. Our corrupt hearts need a new nature and a new birth. What the Bible forbids is drunkenness and alcoholism.
The disciples accompanied Jesus to the feast, while Nathanael was himself from Cana (21:2). It seems the mother of Jesus was acquainted with the bridegroom’s family. The assumption is that Joseph had already died. Mary had become a widow, and Jesus played the part of the firstborn responsible for the family.
So his mother turned to him for help in meeting the need of their relatives. Since his return from the Jordan, no longer an ordinary man, but transformed by the Holy Spirit moving from worldly responsibilities to serve God, a role in which his disciples would follow.
Mary relied on her Son, for she knew his care and love. Her love led to the first miracle at Jesus’ hands. Faith in Christ’s love moves God’s arm. The mother bade the servants to do whatever Jesus said. She was sure he would help in one way or other. Her words to the servants, serve as a motto to all Churches, "Whatever He tells you, do it!" In effect submit to Christ alone; obedience to Jesus’ word brings about many miracles.
Purification jars, empty and spacious, with a capacity of 600 liters were filled. This shows that the guests had made use of large quantities of water for cleansing. A different purifying is needed when Jesus is present. No man can participate in the wedding of the Lamb until he has been thoroughly cleansed.
However, purification was not Christ’s immediate concern. The celebration of the wedding must go on. Jesus calmly changed the water of purification into fine sweet wine. How this was performed we do not know. But we know from this event that his shed blood is sufficient for all partakers in the Lamb’s wedding. This has no bearing on drunkenness. The Holy Spirit does not permit any drunken conduct. But the plentiful supply of sweet wine symbolizes the infinite measure of Christ’s forgiveness of the sins of mankind. May all partake of heaven’s joys. All receive with thanksgiving the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, a symbol of Christ’s presence – bestowing pardon as we rest in his joy.