John 2

The Wedding at Cana

¹The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.

²Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding.

³When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”

⁴Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”

⁵His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

⁶Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.

⁷Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.

⁸He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.

⁹When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom

¹⁰and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”

¹¹This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

¹²After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

The Cleansing of the Temple

¹³The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

¹⁴He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

¹⁵He made a whip of cords and drove all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables.

¹⁶To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”

¹⁷His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”

¹⁸The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”

¹⁹Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

²⁰The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”

²¹But he spoke of the temple of his body.

²²When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

²³Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.

²⁴But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone,

²⁵and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

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John 2 presents Jesus' first miracle at a wedding in Cana, where he transforms water into wine, revealing his divine glory and prompting his disciples' faith. The chapter then shifts dramatically as Jesus cleanses the Jerusalem temple during Passover, driving out merchants and money changers while claiming divine authority over God's house. These contrasting episodes—one of joyful provision, the other of righteous judgment—establish Jesus' dual nature as both gracious provider and authoritative judge, while introducing the theme of his body as the true temple.

Context

Following Jesus' calling of disciples in chapter 1, this chapter demonstrates his divine power and authority, setting the stage for his public ministry throughout the Gospel.

Key Themes

Outline

1-2
Wedding Invitation Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee.
3-5
Wine Crisis and Mary's Faith When wine runs out, Mary approaches Jesus with confidence despite his cryptic response about his hour.
6-11
Water to Wine Miracle Jesus transforms ceremonial washing water into superior wine, revealing his glory as his first sign.
12
Journey to Capernaum Jesus travels with family and disciples to Capernaum for a brief stay.
13-17
Temple Cleansing At Passover, Jesus drives merchants from the temple with righteous zeal for his Father's house.
18-22
Temple of His Body Jesus cryptically refers to his resurrection when challenged about his authority to cleanse the temple.
23-25
Knowing Human Hearts Many believe in Jesus' signs, but he withholds trust because he knows human nature intimately.

The Wedding at Cana

2:1–2:12

gospel narration joyful

Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding in Cana by turning water into wine, revealing his glory and strengthening his disciples' faith in him.

person_contrast

Jesus transforms ordinary purification water into extraordinary wine, inverting Jewish ritual cleansing into abundant celebration and foreshadowing his replacement of old covenant ceremonies.

The Cleansing of the Temple

2:13–2:25

gospel narration wrathful

Jesus cleanses the temple by driving out merchants and money changers, declaring it his Father's house. He prophetically speaks of his own death and resurrection when challenged about his authority.

quotation_chain

John uniquely links Jesus's temple cleansing with Psalm 69:9's "zeal for your house," connecting messianic suffering with righteous anger in only this Gospel.

Insight Character Study

Jesus transforms ordinary purification water into extraordinary wine, inverting Jewish ritual cleansing into abundant celebration and foreshadowing his replacement of old covenant ceremonies.

Insight Quotation Chain

John uniquely links Jesus's temple cleansing with Psalm 69:9's "zeal for your house," connecting messianic suffering with righteous anger in only this Gospel.