[PRINT HERE] John 1 (11-30-16) Lecture Notes
St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church
Wed Night Bible Study
JOHN 2:1-11
Dr. E.C. Gregory, PhD – Bible Facilitator 11-30-16 Dr. H.T. Rhim, Pastor
JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE
John 2:1-11 (KJV)
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 saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith 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 tasted 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 saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Jesus’ First Sign (2:1-11)
Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospel of John was a private one, known only to His disciples, some servants, and probably Jesus’ mother. This turning water into wine was the first of 35 recorded miracles Jesus performed.
2:1. On the third day probably means three days after the calling of Philip and Nathanael. It would take a couple of days to reach Cana in Galilee from Bethany near Jericho of Judea (1:28). Jesus’ mother was there, but John did not give her name (cf. 2:12; 6:42; 19:25-27).
2:2-3. When the supply of wine was used up, Mary turned to Jesus in hope that He could solve the problem. Did Mary expect a miracle? Mary had not yet seen any miracles done by her Son.
2:4-5. The word woman was a polite, kind expression (cf. 19:26). Why do you involve Me? Was a common expression in Greek that referred to a difference in realms or relations. Mary had to learn a painful lesson namely, that Jesus was committed to God the Father’s will and the time for His manifestation was in the Father’s hand. My time has not yet come, or similar words occur five times in John. Even though she did not fully understand, she trusted Him.
2:6-8. The water in the six… water jars (of 20 to 30 gallons each) was used for Jewish purification rites before and after. The master of the banquet, would not know he was drinking from the purification jars.
2:9-10. As the master of the banquet tasted the… wine, he found it to be the best. The best wine was served first and the lesser quality later, he affirmed that this wine, served last, was the best. The significance of this miracle is that Christianity (Grace) is an advance over Judaism (Law). God has kept the best gift—His Son—until now.
2:11. The significance of the miracle was explained by John as a manifestation of Christ’s glory. In contrast with the ministry of Moses who turned water into blood as a sign of God’s judgment (Ex. 7:14-24. The first miracle—a transformation—pointed to the kind of transforming ministry Jesus would have (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). The disciples put their faith in Him. At this point they did not understand His death and resurrection (John 20:8-9) but they did know His power.
