John 2

John 2:1-11

In this chapter we have, 1. The story of the first miracle which Jesus wrought, turning water into wine, at Cana of Galilee, ver. 1—11. and his appearing at Capernaum, ver. 12. 2. The story of the first padover he kept at Jerusalem after he began his public ministry. His dressing the buyers and sellers out of the temple, ver. 13—17. and the sign he gave in those who quarreled with him for it, ver. 18—22. with an account of Jesus that Jehovah him thereupon for some time, ver. 23, 24, 25. but he knew them too well to put any confidence in them.

1. AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.

2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus faith unto him, They have no wine.

4. Jesus faith unto her, 4 Woman, what have I to do with thee? 5 mine hour is not yet come.

5. His mother faith unto the servants, Whatsoever he faith unto you, do it.

6. And there were for there six water-pots of those, 7 after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7. Jesus faith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8. And he faith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9. When the ruler of the feast had called the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom.

10. And faith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is won’t; but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and 13 manitled forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The first miracle of Jesus was wrought at a marriage-feast in Cana of Galilee. It was probably a marriage of some near relation of his mother Mary’s, who seemed not to be there merely as a guest, but as one of the family. Christ was invited, and refused not the invitation given him on this occasion, but went with his disciples to grace the initial feast with his presence and company, and put an honour upon the institution. Note, (1.) Our marriages can only then be expected to offer happily, when Jesus with his benediction crowns the indissoluble union. (2.) Religion teaches none to be unsocial or uncivil, but commands us to rejoice with those that rejoice. We are told,

1. The concern expressed by the mother of Jesus to her Son on account of the deficiency of the wine at this entertainment. The number of the guests, perhaps more than were expected, confirmed the small quantity which these persons, who were probably in mean circumstances, had provided, and they might not be able to afford more. It seems the expected that he would soon begin to display his glorious powers, and intimated that the present necessity afforded an opportunity for his miraculous affluence. Note, (1.) In the height of our earthly joys, something still is wanting. We must look only for perfect bliss in that kingdom, where they neither marry nor are given in marriage. (2.) A gracious heart interells himself in the district of his friends, and, when he can do no more to relieve them, fails not to commend their case to the kind Saviour’s notice.

2. He gives her a reprimand for interfering in matters which did not belong to her. Though he was her son after the flesh, yet in the exercise of his miraculous powers he acted as Son of God, and owed her no obedience: and to intermeddle in the direction of his conduct, respecting the affairs of his kingdom, was a very blameable presumption. What a direct condemnation of the horrid idolatry of that church, which prays to the mother to command her Son? Besides he adds, My hour is not yet now; either it was not yet time to work this miracle, till all the wine was spent; or rather the time for the public manifestation of his glory, by his open performing miracles, was not yet come; and, whatever he might do in private, he was not to be directed by her, or any other, when or how to act.

3. Though his mother silently submitted to his pleasure, the entertained apprehensions that he would grant her request, and take the matter into his considerations; and therefore privately

bid the servants obey whatever orders he should give them. Note, (1.) We must not be discouraged in our faith, if our prayers are not immediately answered. (2.) Christ’s commands are implicitly to be obeyed, without reasoning or hesitation.

4. Christ performs the needful miracle; and with circumstances that eminently displayed his glory. Six water-pots of stone were placed there, containing about two or three firkins each, which some suppose to be in quantity about nine gallons; it being customary with the Jews to make use of frequent weddings, some of which were enjoined by the law of God, and more by the tradition of the elders, and therefore, where such a number of guests were present, much water was necessary. These water-pots Christ bids the servants fell with some to the brim, that there might be no suspicion of fraud in the miracle. They obeyed, and instantly the strange conversion was wrought. He orders them to reopen to draw out and carry this liquor in the governor of the feast, the person who was either the mother of the ceremonies, or fat in the most honourable place on that occasion; or was the chaplain, the priest or Levine, who blissed the cup before it was not found to the guests. No sooner had he toiled the wine which had been water, than he was struck with the delicious flavour, and, unacquainted whence it came, he observed with surprise to the bridegroom his unusual method of procedure. Others usually produced their half wine full, a d afterwards, when men have well drunk, that which is won’t, (cigarettes) of a weaker body; but he had kept the good wine to the last, as the grace-cup, to conclude the entertainment. Note, (1.) God’s creatures, and wine among the rest, are given us richly to enjoy. It is no far to be pleased with the delicious flavour of the grape, when we remember with thankfulness who gave it that quality; only we must because this we do not by intemperance abide our mercies, and turn our blessings into a cure by excels or drunkenness. (2.) Feasts need a governor to restrain the irregularities of those who else perhaps, to their shame, would have no government over themselves. (3.) Whatever consolation believes here enjoy, the greatest are reserved for them at last, when, at the marriage-fogger of the Lamb, they shall drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.

5. At the conclusion of this miracle the Evangelist observes, that this was the first Jesus performed after his entrance on his ministry. Whereas he completed forth his glory in such displays of his power and grace, wrought by his authoritative word, as exalted his own great name, and proved his own eternal Godhead and glory; and his disciples believed on him, confirmed in their assurance of the truth of that high character which he assumed. Note, The more we become acquainted with Christ in his word, the more shall we be convinced that this is he who should come, and shall be engaged to rest our souls on him for life and salvation.

6. ¶ After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and 1 his brethren, and his disciples, and 2 they continued there not many days. 13. ¶ And the 3 Jews passers was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jesus. 4. And 5 found in the temple those that said 6 oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, 7 sitting: 8. And when he had made a scourge of small coeds, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables; 9. And said unto them that said doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. 10. And his disciples remembered that it was written, 11 The 12 read of thine house hath eaten me up. 12. ¶ Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, 1 What sign sheweth thou unto us, seeing that thou dost these things? 13. Jesus answered and said unto them, 2 Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 14. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will thou fear it up in three days? 15. But he spake of 1 the temple of his body. 16. When therefore he was risen from the dead, 2 his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them: and they 3 believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

John 2:12-22

Capernaum was the place where Christ usually resided, Mark iv. 13. Either he came with his mother, brethren, and disciples, who, struck with what they had seen, attended him to observe the further manifestness of his divine power and glory which he should make. He abode at this time at Capernaum was not many days, the passers being at hand, which called him up to Jerusalem. Where we find him,

1. Purging the temple of those intruders who had defied that holy place. Under pretence of accommodating those, who came up to worship, with families and change of money, a market was kept in the temple by the connivance of the priests, who probably made some considerable advantage by permitting such

such a profanation. But Christ, beholding with indignation such corruptions in the house of God, immediately began to vindicate the honour of that sacred inclosure, and, having made a scourge of cords, he drove out the traders with their berths, overturned the tables of the money-changers, and had those who sold doves to take them away; remonstrating with them on the wickedness of their conduct, Mute aut my Fader’s body on house of merchandise; and, standing in so near a relation to the God of the temple, he could not endure to see him thus dishonoured. Nate, (1.) The love of filthy lucre is generally at the root of the corruptions which creep into the church of God. (2.) If God is our father, we cannot but be grieved to see him dishonoured, and shall zealously appear in his cause. (3.) They who are bold and faithful for God will often see that one can chafe a thousand, and that, if we dare stand up in his name, the consciences of sinners will cover them with confusion.

2. The disciples remembered that it was written, The soul of thine house hath eaten me up. And this confirmed still the more their faith, as they observed all the Scripture prophecies accomplished in him.

3. Being questioned by the Jews concerning the authority on which he added, and required to give a sign in proof of the mission to which he pretended, He answered and said unto them, Desireg this temple, and in thine days I will reply it up. Since they refused to be convinced by other miracles, he refers them to the last sign which should be wrought, even his resurrection from the dead by his own divine power, after they had destroyed the temple of his body: as he had now cleansed his house from their profanations, so would he raise his own body, which they should say, and never suffer it to see corruption. They understood him as if he meant the material temple where he then was, which had now been forty-six years building and beautifying; since Herod took down that erected by Zerubbabel, and raised the present fabric on the same spot, which, though the body of it was finished in eight years, might probably tell that time have continued to be more highly ornamented: though some foppots the words are to be interpreted of the time which Zerubbabel’s temple was in building. However, they looked upon it in a most absurd pretension, for a mere man, as they presumed him to be, to assert he could do that in three days, which had employed thousands of workmen so many years. Thus they ridiculed his assertion, though it appears they understood not his meaning. Nate, (1.) It is just with God to give those up to their vain imaginations, who have no love of the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. (2.) The greatest mistakes have been entertained by understanding literally what the Scriptures have spoken figuratively, as in the doctrine of transfalsistion, drawn from the words of Christ, This is my body. (3.) The body of Jesus was the true temple, in which the fulness of the Godhead dwelt; and of him the temple at Jerusalem was but the type and figure. (4.) As the temple was the medium of worship, and they who prayed turned their faces thitherwards, so is it through Christ Jesus alone that we can have access to and acceptance with God.

4. His disciples, though they, no more than the Jews, understood his meaning at that time, yet afterwards, when the events verified the prediction, and the Spirit poured out from on high opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, reflected on this prophecy, and, seeing the accomplishment of it in his resurrection, were the more deeply confirmed in their faith of the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Nate, The truths of Scripture which we learn in younger years, though not understood at that time, yet are of singular use when, in any future time, it pleases God to shine into our hearts, and open the eyes of our minds.

5. ¶ Now when he was at Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast-day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

During the seven days of the feast Christ preached openly the doctrines of his kingdom, and wrought mighty miracles in confirmation of the truths he taught. The effect of which, we are told, was,

1. That many believed in his name; at least for the time they were so struck with his miracles as to give their assent to his doctrine, and own him as the Messiah. But,

2. Jesus did not commit himself unto them, did not trust himself with them, or repuls any confidence upon them; because he knew all men; the wickedness of some, who would play the hypocrite in order to betray him; and the unabody of others, who in a time of danger might through timidity be tempted to desert him, or through mistake and indiscretion raise some disturbance, through their vain imaginations that his kingdom was compared, and his throne to be established by arms. And, being thus all-wife, he needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man, how deceitful above all things and desperately wicked his heart was; and therefore how little to be trusted.

John 2:37-42

cannot but delight to recommend him to the regard and notice of others.

Or. shid. 18. 1. v. Two house before night. Mat. ix. 25. § Or the annoted. Mat. xvi. 18. Or Peter.

37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and faith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou? 39. He faith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and faith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, § the Christ. 42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jon: ’thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, § a stone.

The first disciples of Jesus here begin to commence their acquaintance with him.

1. The two, who were with John when he pointed out Jesus to their notice, immediately followed him, defining to be indulged in a greater intimacy with him. And the gracious Lord, who observes and is delighted with the first steps a soul taken in approaching him, kindly accosted them, and enquired what they fought. With respectful address and humble enquiry they replied, Rabbi, where dwellest thou? Rabbi was the title given to the most famed of their wife men; and most deserving of it must be he so whom dwelt all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They desire to be admitted to a longer conversation with him than they could enjoy as they walked, and would gladly, if they might be permitted, wait upon him to receive his divine instructions. Note, Abiding communion with Jesus is the thing a soul, who is at all acquainted with him, impertinately defers Christ courteously invites them to his lodgings; Come and see: he was ready to give them an immediate welcome; for his arms are ever open to receive those who desire to come to him. With thankfulness and joy they immediately embraced the offer. Where the soul is at stake, every delay is dangerous. They come and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour: so that they spent that day in delightful conversation with him. The name of one of these disciples was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother; the other probably the author of this gospel, who here, as in other places, modestly suppresses his own name, when the mention of it would be to his honour. A noble inflator of his unfeigned humility.

2. A third disciple is added. Andrew, eager to communicate the glad tidings to his brother Simon, findeth him, and with exultation relates the important discovery they had made. He knew found the Messiah, (which is, being interpreted in the Greek language, the Christ) the animated of the Lord, to often spoken of in the Scriptures; and he brought him to Jesus, who took particular notice of him; and calling him by his name, which, though a stranger to him probably before, he well knew he gives him a new name, Cephas, which signifies a stone, as adopting him into his family, and intimating the fondness of his heart in the work of the gospel, and his being appointed one of those pillars on which, with his brethren the apostles, the church should stand firm, grounded on Jesus the chief cornerstone and fore foundation. Note, (1.) They who have called the choirs of a Saviour’s grace themselves cannot but be active to draw others unto him. There is in Christ enough and to spare. (2.) They who are nearly related to us in blood claim a peculiar interest in our regard and prayers; and the best token of our love to them will be shewn in leading them to Jesus. (3.) The faithful in Christ Jesus stand firm as a rock, uncovered with the shores of tribulation which for his sake they may be called to endure.