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John Chapter
Two
John 2
The third day we find in chapter 2. A marriage takes
place in Galilee. Jesus is there; and the water of purification is changed into
the wine of joy for the marriage-feast. Afterwards at Jerusalem He cleanses the
temple of God with authority, executing judgment on all those who profaned it.
In principle these are the two things that characterise His millennial
position. Doubtless these things took place historically; but, as introduced
here and in this manner, they have evidently a wider meaning. Besides, why the
third day? After what? Two days of testimony had taken place-that of John, and
that of Jesus; and now blessing and judgment are accomplished. In Galilee the
remnant had their place; and it is the scene of blessing, according to Isaiah
9-Jerusalem is that of judgment. At the feast He would not know His mother:
this was the link of His natural relation with Israel, which, looking at Him as
born under the law, was His mother. He separates Himself from her to accomplish
blessing. It is only in testimony therefore in Galilee, for the moment. It is
when He returns that the good wine will be for Israel-true blessing and joy at
the end. Nevertheless He still abides with His mother, whom, as to His work, He
did not acknowledge. And this also was the case with regard to His connection
with Israel.
Afterwards, in judging the Jews and judicially cleansing the temple,
He presents Himself as the Son of God. It is His Father's house. The proof of
this which He gives is His resurrection, when the Jews should have rejected and
crucified Him. Moreover He was not only the Son: it was God who was there-not
in the temple. It was empty-that house built by Herod. The body of Jesus was
now the true temple. Sealed by His resurrection, the scriptures and the word of
Jesus were of divine authority to the disciples, as speaking of Him according
to the intention of the Spirit of God.
This subdivision of the book ends here. It closes the
earthly revelation of Christ including His death; but even so it is the sin of
the world. Chapter 2 gives the millennium; chapter 3 is the work in and for us
which qualifies for the kingdom on earth or heaven; and the work for us,
closing Messiah's connection with the Jews, opens the heavenly things by the
lifting up of the Son of man-divine love and eternal life.
The miracles that He wrought convinced many as to their
natural understanding. No doubt it was sincerely; but a just human conclusion.
But another truth now opens. Man, in his natural state, [1] was really incapable of receiving the things
of God; not that the testimony was insufficient to convince him, nor that he
was never convinced: many were so at this time; but Jesus did not commit
Himself to them. He knew what man was. When convinced, his will, his nature,
was not altered. Let the time of trial come, and he would shew himself as he
was, alienated from God, and even His enemy. Sad but too true testimony! The
life, the death, of Jesus proves it. He knew it when He began His work. This
did not make His love grow cold; for the strength of that love was in itself.
[1]
Observe, that the state of man is here manifested fully and thoroughly.
Supposing him to be outwardly righteous according to the law, and to believe in
Jesus according to sincere natural convictions, he clothes himself with this,
in order to hide from himself what he really is. He does not know himself at
all. What he is remains untouched. And he is a sinner. But this leads us to
another observation. There are two great principles from Paradise
itself-responsibility and life. Man can never disentangle them, till he learns
that he is lost, and that no good exists in him. Then he is glad to know that
there is a source of life and pardon outside himself. It is this which is shewn
us here. There must be a new life; Jesus does not instruct a nature which is
only sin. These two principles run through scripture in a remarkable way:
first, as stated, in Paradise, responsibility and life in power. Man took of
one tree, failing in responsibility, and forfeited life. The law gave the
measure of responsibility when good and evil were known, and promised life on
the ground of doing what it required, satisfying responsibility. Christ comes,
meets the need of man's failure in responsibility, and is, and gives, eternal
life. Thus, and thus only, can the question be met, and the two principles reconciled.
Moreover two things are presented in Him to reveal God. He knows man, and all
men. What a knowledge in this world! A prophet knows that which is revealed to
him; he has, in that case, divine knowledge. But Jesus knows all men in an
absolute way. He is God. But when once He has introduced life in grace, He
speaks of another thing; He speaks that which He knows, and testifies that
which He has seen. Now He knows God His Father in heaven. He is the Son of man
who is in heaven. He knows man divinely; but He knows God and all His glory
divinely also. What a magnificent picture, or, rather should I say, revelation,
of that which He is for us! For it is here as man that He tells us this; and
also, in order that we may enter into it and enjoy it, He becomes the sacrifice
for sin according to the eternal love of God His Father.
── John Darby《Synopsis of John》
John 2
Chapter Contents
The miracle at Cana. (1-11) Christ casts the buyers and
sellers out of the temple. (12-22) Many believe in Christ. (23-25)
Commentary on John 2:1-11
(Read John 2:1-11)
It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have
Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their
marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we
sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness.
There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things
of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our
addresses to Christ, we must humbly spread our case before him, and then refer
ourselves to him to do as he pleases. In Christ's reply to his mother there was
no disrespect. He used the same word when speaking to her with affection from
the cross; yet it is a standing testimony against the idolatry of after-ages,
in giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what
to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's
favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the
way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objected against. The beginning
of Moses' miracles was turning water into blood, Exodus 7:20; the beginning of Christ's miracles
was turning water into wine; which may remind us of the difference between the
law of Moses and the gospel of Christ. He showed that he improves
creature-comforts to all true believers, and make them comforts indeed. And
Christ's works are all for use. Has he turned thy water into wine, given thee
knowledge and grace? it is to profit withal; therefore draw out now, and use
it. It was the best wine. Christ's works commend themselves even to those who
know not their Author. What was produced by miracles, always was the best in
its kind. Though Christ hereby allows a right use of wine, he does not in the
least do away his own caution, which is, that our hearts be not at any time
overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, Luke 21:34. Though we need not scruple to feast
with our friends on proper occasions, yet every social interview should be so
conducted, that we might invite the Redeemer to join with us, if he were now on
earth; and all levity, luxury, and excess offend him.
Commentary on John 2:12-22
(Read John 2:12-22)
The first public work in which we find Christ engaged,
was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers
encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a
house of merchandise, whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business
when attending religious exercises, or who perform Divine offices for love of gain.
Christ, having thus cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it,
to prove his authority for so doing. He foretells his death by the Jews'
malice, Destroy ye this temple; I will permit you to destroy it. He foretells
his resurrection by his own power; In three days I will raise it up. Christ
took again his own life. Men mistake by understanding that according to the
letter, which the Scripture speaks by way of figure. When Jesus was risen from
the dead, his disciples remembered he has said this. It helps much in
understanding the Divine word, to observe the fulfilling of the Scriptures.
Commentary on John 2:23-25
(Read John 2:23-25)
Our Lord knew all men, their nature, dispositions,
affections, designs, so as we do not know any man, not even ourselves. He knows
his crafty enemies, and all their secret projects; his false friends, and their
true characters. He knows who are truly his, knows their uprightness, and knows
their weaknesses. We know what is done by men; Christ knows what is in them, he
tries the heart. Beware of a dead faith, or a formal profession: carnal, empty
professors are not to be trusted, and however men impose on others or
themselves, they cannot impose on the heart-searching God.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on John》
John 2
Verse 2
[2] And
both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Jesus and his disciples were invited to the
marriage — Christ does not take away human society, but
sanctifies it. Water might have quenched thirst; yet our Lord allows wine;
especially at a festival solemnity. Such was his facility in drawing his
disciples at first, who were afterward to go through rougher ways.
Verse 3
[3] And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have
no wine.
And wine falling short — How many days the solemnity had lasted, and on which day our Lord came,
or how many disciples might follow him, does not appear.
His mother saith to him, They have not wine — Either she might mean, supply them by miracle; or, Go away, that others
may go also, before the want appears.
Verse 4
[4]
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet
come.
Jesus saith to her, Woman — So our Lord speaks also, John 19:26. It is probable this was the constant
appellation which he used to her. He regarded his Father above all, not knowing
even his mother after the flesh. What is it to me and thee? A mild reproof of
her inordinate concern and untimely interposal.
Mine hour is not yet come — The time of my working this miracle, or of my going away. May we not
learn hence, if his mother was rebuked for attempting to direct him in the days
of his flesh, how absurd it is to address her as if she had a right to command
him, on the throne of his glory? Likewise how indecent it is for us to direct
his supreme wisdom, as to the time or manner in which he shall appear for us in
any of the exigencies of life!
Verse 5
[5] His
mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
His mother saith to the servants — Gathering from his answer he was about to do something extraordinary.
Verse 6
[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.
The purifying of the Jews — Who purified themselves by frequent washings particularly before eating.
Verse 9
[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,
The governor of the feast — The bridegroom generally procured some friend to order all things at the
entertainment.
Verse 10
[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.
And saith —
St. John barely relates the words he spoke, which does not imply his approving
them.
When they have well drunk — does not mean any more than toward the close of the entertainment.
Verse 11
[11] This
beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his
glory; and his disciples believed on him.
And his disciples believed — More steadfastly.
Verse 14
[14] And
found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers
of money sitting:
Oxen, and sheep, and doves — Used for sacrifice: And the changers of money - Those who changed
foreign money for that which was current at Jerusalem, for the convenience of
them that came from distant countries.
Verse 15
[15] And
when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple,
and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew
the tables;
Having made a scourge of rushes — (Which were strewed on the ground,) he drove all out of the temple,
(that is, the court of it,) both the sheep and the oxen - Though it does not
appear that he struck even them; and much less, any of the men. But a terror
from God, it is evident, fell upon them.
Verse 17
[17] And
his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath
eaten me up.
Verse 18
[18] Then
answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing
that thou doest these things?
Then answered the Jews — Either some of those whom he had just driven out, or their friends: What
sign showest thou? - So they require a miracle, to confirm a miracle!
Verse 19
[19]
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up.
This temple —
Doubtless pointing, while he spoke, to his body, the temple and habitation of
the Godhead.
Verse 20
[20] Then
said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou
rear it up in three days?
Forty and six years —
Just so many years before the time of this conversation, Herod the Great had
begun his most magnificent reparation of the temple, (one part after another,)
which he continued all his life, and which was now going on, and was continued
thirty-six years longer, till within six or seven years of the destruction of
the state, city, and temple by the Romans.
Verse 22
[22] When
therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said
this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had
said.
They believed the scripture, and the word
which Jesus had said — Concerning his resurrection.
Verse 23
[23] Now
when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in
his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
Many believed —
That he was a teacher sent from God.
Verse 24
[24] But
Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
He did not trust himself to them — Let us learn hence not rashly to put ourselves into the power of others.
Let us study a wise and happy medium between universal suspiciousness and that
easiness which would make us the property of every pretender to kindness and
respect.
Verse 25
[25] And
needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
He — To whom all things
are naked, knew what was in man - Namely, a desperately deceitful heart.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on John》
Chapter 2. Make Wine from Water
Spiritual Wine
Spiritual Temple
I. The Wedding
Feast at Cana
II. Jesus
Cleans the Temple
III. Speak of
the Temple of His Body
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
JESUS CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
John 2:13-25.
It
was perfectly right for the people to get their money exchanged, and to buy and
sell sheep, oxen, and doves, but it was wrong for these things to be done in
the house of he Lord. The priests were also to blame in allowing these things
to be within the precincts of the Temple.
Ⅰ.
Desecration is the first thought to
which I direct attention. The Temple was set apart for God’s worship and
service, therefore to put it to a common use was to defile the house of God. Is
not this an illustration of how sin has defiled man? God made man upright, like
a beautiful temple, but by his inventions he has defiled the soul with all its
affections, and the holy place of the spirit with all its capabilities. If we
are self-centred we are desecrating the sacred shrine that has already been
polluted by sin. If any one allows the idol of selfishness to be erected in his
heart, he is a worse idolater than the heathen who bows down to blocks of wood
and stone.
Ⅱ.
Expulsion (verse 15). “ He drove
them all out.” When Christ comes into the hearts and lives of those who believe
in Him, He turns out all that is opposed to His will, and will keep every
unholy thing out, as we allow Him to be Governor of our being, by sanctifying
Him as Lord in our hearts (1. Peter 3:15, R.V.). A working man in the East End
of London, in giving his experience, said, “ When the Lord Jesus came into my
heart, He turned out all the bad lodgers”; yes, and He will keep them out as
well if we allow Him. We could not pray a better prayer than the little girl
who said, “ Please, Lord Jesus, come and live in my heart.” Some time after she
thanked the Lord for having come in , in the following words, “ Lord Jesus, I
thank Thee that Thou hast come to live in my heart. Now, Lord, please shut the
door.”
Ⅲ.
Question ( verse 18). The Jews
questioned Christ as to His authority for acting as He did. They were blinded
by prejudice, for as Trapp remarks, “ They might have seen sign enough, in His
so powerfully ejecting those money-changers. The disciples call it zeal, the
Jews rashness.” The Jews were always asking for signs (Matt.12:38; 15:4), and
this was the one thing that kept them out of the power and blessing of the
Gospel (1. Cor.1:22).
Ⅳ.
Prediction (verse 19-21). Christ
predicts His resurrection in His reply to the Jews. Godet remarks, “ This
answer of Jesus is udden, like a flash of lightning. It springs from an
immeasurable depth; it illuminates regions then completely unexplored by any
other consciousness than His own. The woeds, ‘ Destroy this temple,’
characterise the present and future conduct of the Jew in its innermost
significance, and the words, ‘ In three days I will raise it up,’ display all
the grandeur of the Person and of the future work of Jesus.
Ⅴ.
Recollection (verse 22). In the
meantime they murmured not, much less opposed; we can do nothing against the
truth, when at the worst, “ but for the truth” (11. Cor. 13:8). “ They laid up
what they understood not; and as the waters cast up the dead, so did their
memories that which seemed dead therein, by the help of the Holy Ghost,”
remarks Trapp. A good memory is a blessing, if we call to mind what the Lord
has done (Deut. 8:2), but it is a bane if it is the “ Son, remember” to bring
back to memory the evil things one has done, or the good things not done (Luke
16:25).
Ⅵ.
Profession (verse 23). These
believers are only make-believes. They have got the King’s head stamped on the
coin of their profession, but the coin is made of base metal, therefore they
are counterfeits. There was a great difference in the faith of the disciples
mentioned in verse 11, and the mere faith of assent to Christ’s power in these,
as Godet remarks, “ This faith had nothing inward and moral; it resulted solely
from the impression of astonishment produced upon them by these wonders. Signs
may, indeed, strengthen and develop true faith, where it is already formed, by
displaying to it freely the riches of its object (verse 11). They may even,
sometimes, excite attention, but not produce real faith. Faith is a moral act
which attaches itself to the moral being of Jesus.
Ⅶ.
Penetration (verse 24,25). The Holy
Spirit seems to play upon the word “believe,” as the word “commit” in verse 24,
is the same as is translated “ believe” in the other ninety-nine times in
John’s Gospel. Christ did not commit (believe in ) Himself to them, as they did
not commit themselves to Him. As Luthardt says, “ As they did not give
themselves morally to Him, neither did He give Himself morally to them.”
In
chapter 1. we behold Christ discerning a man who was true in heart, and to whom
Christ committed Himself (1:48), but here He does not commit Himself because He
knew that these disciples were not true to Him.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
The Water Turned To Wine (2:1-12)
INTRODUCTION
1. John's purpose in his gospel was to produce faith - Jn 20:30-31 a. Which he sought to accomplish by recording the "signs" done by Jesus b. Not all of them, but enough to produce faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God 2. The "signs" Jesus performed were miracles... a. Expressions of supernatural, divine power b. Designed to attest His unique relationship with God - cf. Ac 2:22 [The first sign recorded by John took place shortly after Jesus hadacquired His first disciples...] I. THE SETTING
A. IN CANA OF GALILEE ... 1. On the third day - Jn 2:1 a. The third day after Jesus made two more disciples (Hendriksen) b. Taking two days to reach Galilee from Judea (JFB) 2. In the city of Cana a. Cana was about 4 miles NE of Nazareth, and SW of the Sea of Galilee b. Jesus had wanted to go to Galilee - cf. Jn 1:43 c. Nathanael was from the city of Cana B. AT A WEDDING FEAST... 1. The mother of Jesus was there - Jn 2:1 2. Likewise Jesus and His disciples, who had been invited - Jn 2:2 a. Jesus and His disciples were not ascetics - cf. Mt 9:14 b. He came eating and drinking - cf. Mt 11:19 C. WHERE THE WINE HAD RUN OUT... 1. As noted by the mother of Jesus - Jn 2:3 a. She appears to have some role of responsibility and authority - cf. Jn 2:5 b. The invitation to Jesus and His disciples may have been a last minute thing c. Running out of wine would have been an embarrassment to Mary, if she were in charge d. She tells Jesus; perhaps hinting a request? (RWP) 2. Jesus responds to His mother - Jn 2:4 a. "Woman" 1) Not a term of disrespect in those days - cf. Jn 19:26;20:15
2) Though a subtle hint may be implied by its use instead of "Mother" that their relationship of mother and son was changing b. "What does your concern have to do with Me?" 1) Perhaps a mild rebuke for her anxiety 2) Perhaps too much like Martha? - cf. Lk 10:41 c. "My hour has not yet come." 1) This suggests that Mary's request was more than just a desire for a gift of wine 2) Perhaps she wanted a supreme manifestation of Him as the Messiah 3) That event would come later, with His death and resurrection - cf. Jn 2:18-19; 12:23,27; 17:1 4) His mother sought for a supreme sign, but at that time only a secondary sign could be fittingly given 5) I.e., the triumph at Pentecost was not to be achieved at Cana (McGarvey) [Despite the subtle rebuke, Mary evidently sense a willingness on Jesus'part to do something. So she instructed the servants to do whatever Hesays (cf. Jn 2:5). This leads us to...] II. THE MIRACLE
A. THE WATER TURNED TO WINE... 1. Beginning with six empty water pots - Jn 2:6 a. Normally used for the Jewish rituals of purification - cf. Mk 7:3-4 b. Capable of holding twenty or thirty gallons (two or three firkins, KJV) each 2. Filled with water - Jn 2:7 a. As instructed by Jesus b. Filled to the brim 3. A sample drawn and taken to the master of the feast - Jn 2:8 a. As instructed by Jesus b. Carried out by the servants c. Apparently what was drawn was still water; it became wine before reaching the guests - cf. Jn 2:9 B. THE IMPACT ON THOSE PRESENT... 1. Upon the master of the feast - Jn 2:9-10 a. He tasted the water that was made wine b. Not knowing where it came from, he called the bridegroom c. Telling him that he kept the good wine for last, contrary to normal custom 2. Upon the disciples of Jesus - Jn 2:11 a. It was the beginning of signs Jesus did in Galilee - cf. Jn4:54
b. In which Jesus manifested His glory - cf. Jn 1:14 c. Their faith in Jesus was even more strengthened C. THE IMPACT ON US TODAY... 1. It should not be to justify the custom of social drinking a. The word "oinos" can refer to fermented wine, but not necessarily b. Alcoholic drinks today are much stronger than those in Bible times c. The Bible is filled with the dangers of drinking - cf. Pro20:1; 23:29-35
d. We do well to consider the influence of our example - cf. Ro14:21; 1 Co 10:31-33
2. This miracle of turning water to wine reveals Jesus as: a. One who honors the bond of marriage by His presence at the wedding b. One who bestows His gifts lavishly; if in the physical realm, how much more in the spiritual? c. One whose infinite love is made effective by His equally infinite power d. One who, accordingly, is the Son of God, full of grace and glory -- William Hendricksen, New Testament Commentary CONCLUSION
1. After this miracle in Cana, Jesus went down to Capernaum a. Capernaum , a city on the northwestern shore of Galilee frequently by Jesus b. Together with His mother, His brothers (cf. Mt 13:55), and His disciples c. Though they did not stay many days - cf. Jn 2:13 2. The disciples of Jesus must have been excited... a. They had heard the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus b. They had borne their own initial testimony as to Jesus c. Now they had seen this "sign" that Jesus was truly what they believed Him to be! More signs to come would increase their faith in Jesus. They can have asimilar affect in us as we continue to read and study the gospelaccording to John...