Commentaries:
<< John 1:51 John 2:2 >>
John 2:1
Jesus heaps great honor on marriage by using such an event to manifest His glory. The apostle Paul writes, "Marriage is honorable among all" (Hebrews 13:4), but society increasingly scorns marriage, a fact clearly seen in rampant premarital sex and divorce upon demand. Like Christ's coming, a wedding is a joyous celebration.
Jesus and at least six of His disciples were invited to the wedding, suggesting that the wedding couple were concerned about the character of their guests. As His blessing and presence are essential to marital happiness, Christ must be involved in our marriages. However, those who desire His involvement must invite Him in. Had Jesus not been invited to this wedding, a serious problem would have marred the marriage feast. We can learn that couples in whose marriage Christ is involved have a great advantage in solving problems that arise later.
Martin G. Collins
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Water Into Wine (Part One)Related Topics: Divorce | Marital Happiness | Marriage | Marriage, Sanctity of | Miracles of Jesus Christ | Miracles of Jesus Christ: Water into Wine | Pre-Marital Sex | Sex | Sexual Immorality | Wedding
John 2:1-10
Not only did Jesus condone the proper use of wine, but He knew what the qualities of a good wine were, a fact confirmed in Luke 5:39: "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'"
Some have argued that, at the Cana wedding, Jesus changed the water into unfermented grape juice, not wine. However, the Greek word translated "wine" throughout John 2:1-10 is oinos, which means "fermented wine."
Staff
Is It a Sin to Drink Alcoholic Beverages?Related Topics: Miracles of Jesus Christ | Miracles of Jesus Christ: Water into Wine | Oinos | Wine | Wine, Qualities of Good
John 2:1-11
The first miracle Jesus Christ performs during His ministry is changing water into wine at a marriage feast in Cana (John 2:1-11). When we compare what Christ and Moses each did with water, Jesus' miracle shows the contrast between law and grace. Moses changes water to blood, and Christ changes it into wine. Earlier, in John 1:17, the apostle John writes, "For the law was given through Moses, [and] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Moses' turning of water into blood suggests judgment (Exodus 7:14-17), while Jesus' turning of water into wine implies generosity and joy. In John 3:17, John comments, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world [what the law does to sinners], but that the world through Him might be saved [what grace does for those who repent]."
This miracle demonstrates at the earliest possible time that Christ's ministry would be one of grace and truth, as an extension and complement of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17-19). Jesus had come to fulfill God's law, that is, to teach it and live it as an example of how to apply it to everyday life (Luke 24:44-45).
Martin G. Collins
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Water Into Wine (Part One)Related Topics: Fulfilling the Law, Christ's | Jesus Christ's Miracles | Judgment | Judgment and Mercy | Judgment, Mercy, and Faith | Mercy | Miracles | Miracles of Jesus Christ | Miracles of Jesus Christ: Water into WineOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing John 2:1:
<< John 1:51 John 2:2 >>
Join 135,000+ readers
A Verse and a Thought, Every Morning
The Berean delivers one scripture and a short, insightful commentary to your inbox each day — a starting point for reflection and study.
What Does John 2:1 Mean?
On the third day, a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee, where Jesus' mother was present. Jesus performed His first miracle there, changing water into wine, highlighting a ministry of generosity and joy. His presence at the wedding honored marriage, showing that inviting Him into such unions brings essential blessing and aid in solving future problems. The wedding couple's concern for their guests' character is evident as Jesus and six disciples were invited. Additionally, the wine Jesus created was fermented, as indicated by the Greek term "oinos," reflecting His knowledge of good wine's qualities. This event marked the beginning of a ministry centered on grace and truth.