The Gospel of John
Chapter 2:1-11

John 2: 1-11

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to Him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then He told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and his disciples put their faith in Him.

In this chapter Jesus answers social opposition and religious opposition. It is always the religious crowd that criticizes the social life of the “relaxed” crowd. There are two events which take place in this chapter, one chronological (turning water into wine, which is the first miracle in the ministry of Jesus) and one logical (the casting of money changers out of the temple). There is a relationship between the two. This is done to show that Jesus has an answer for society and an answer for religion.

Another issue in this chapter is whether or not the wine is an alcoholic beverage or grape juice. It is definitely not grape juice. Jesus actually turned water into wine, which contained alcohol. This is particularly apparent in light of the remark in vs. 10, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This is common practice today, as it was then. When serving alcohol and wishing to impress guests, a host serves the best at first. Then when the guests are “under the influence” (inebriated, intoxicated) and are unable to taste the difference, he is able to bring out the cheaper stock. Everyone in the ancient world drank wine unless he took a vow not to do so. It is believed that this incorporated only about one percent of the population. A study of the Hebrew words translated into wine indicates that they referred to alcoholic beverages. There is only one Greek word, which is the equivalent to the Hebrew words for wine, and this word always indicates an alcoholic beverage except during the Passover. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Passover and the First Fruits are three feasts that take place during the same week, and during that time no “leaven” is permitted and “fermentation” is “leaven.” It is a microorganism, which is fermentation and the same as “leaven.” During these holy days when no leaven was permitted they drank the boiled juice of the grape, i.e., a non-alcoholic drink or grape juice. This is the reason why many churches use only grape juice during the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

Neither Jesus nor any of the human writers of the Bible had any objection to alcoholic beverages when used in moderation. On the other hand the Scriptures clearly condemns excessive use of the substance, i.e., drunkenness. No remarks in this Bible study should be construed as an excuse to go out and drink without moderation. Be sure of this! The Bible does not condemn “eating and drinking (alcohol),” but drunkenness is a sin. Proverbs 20:1-Wind is a mocker and beer a brawler; whomever they lead astray is not wise. Proverbs 23:20,21-Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Isaiah 5:11-Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. Isaiah 28:7,8-And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer; Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth. Romans 13:13-Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness . . . Other scriptures on drunkenness as a sin are Proverbs 21:17; 23:29-35; Hosea 4:10-12; Habakkuk 2:15; Luke 21:34; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10 and Ephesians 5:18. Excessive drinking (drunkenness), and also excessive eating is sin according to God’s Word. Drinking is not; drunkenness is! Why? It is because excessive eating and drinking affects the ability to be alert and to think clearly. It reduces or eliminates proper inhibitions (see Genesis 9:20,21; 19:30-38). It hampers the ability to apply Bible Doctrine and to share it with others. In other words, it diminishes and destroys one’s mental control. God would have you in control at all times. Now even though Scripture condemns drunkenness, it does not condemn drinking and eating in moderation.

Our Lord ate and drank in moderation. In Matthew 11:18,19 and Luke 7:33,34 we see that unlike John the Baptist who was forbidden from birth to take any wine, which was expressly compared to “other fermented drink” (Luke 1:15), and who was criticized for “not eating and drinking,” Jesus was criticized for just the opposite, i.e., “eating and drinking.” He was even called a “drunkard” by those who criticized him. It is a stretch of imaginative interpretation to believe they were accusing Him of drinking non-fermented grape juice.

The Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy when outlining the qualifications for an overseer (minister or pastor) and a deacon specifically did not forbid drinking in moderation. He did forbid drunkenness and indulging in much wine. I realize the King James Version says “not given to wine” relative to an overseer (bishop in KJV), but the Greek word (paroinos) for “wine” in this verse is more accurately translated “addicted to wine.” The word does not include the responsible and temperate usage of alcohol; rather, it has in view the abuse or incessant use of it. Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer . . .[he] must [not] be given to drunkenness . . . (1Timothy 3:1-3). Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine . . . (1 Timothy 3:8). Note that Paul is not prohibiting the use of a little wine. Paul has the same instruction for “older men” and “older women,” i.e., to be temperate [in the use of wine] and “not addicted to much wine.” (Titus 2:1-3) Paul instructs Timothy to Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine [same Greek word as in Timothy 3:8] because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (1 Timothy 5:23)

I realize that there are those in Christian circles that will find abhorrent this presentation. In light of the abuse of alcohol within our society and its destructive consequences, I can’t blame them. Alcohol is by far the most destructive, costly and vicious drug in America. It causes far more property damage, family separations and needless deaths than marijuana, cocaine or heroin. It is a fact that if a person avoids the first drink, he’ll never become drunk. Not to drink at all is always the safest preventive step in not becoming drunk or eventually becoming an alcoholic. This fact is unassailable. Nevertheless, truth (Bible Doctrine) remains.

When considering this issue it is well we remember the words of Christ in Matthew 15:10 when He said What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him “unclean,” but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him “unclean.” God does not condemn drinking in moderation, i.e., in amounts that do not affect one’s self-control; but He most definitely condemns the loss of self-control by means of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, or for that matter, the abuse of any substance that will cause one to lose self-control and be unable to apply or live in accordance with Bible Doctrine.

In the ancient world there existed no wedding ceremony as we understand one today, i.e., a couple walking down the aisle and the performance of a ceremony. This did not take place until the Roman Catholic Church dominated Christendom. Until then marriage was a divine institution intended for the human race. To be married “in the church” was not an issue, nor did it add any value to the marriage. In fact in can be readily argued that there is no value to be married by a minister in a church then or now. Marriage is a divine institution, not a Christian or church institution. This is what the Bible teaches.

The Bible must be interpreted in accordance to the time in which it was written. In the first century A.D., when the Gospel of John was written, a marriage took place as follows. The groom talked with the bride’s father, gained his approval for the wedding and a written contract between the two was created. The contract established that the father to the bride agreed to pay a certain amount of money to the groom for marrying his daughter, i.e., taking her out of his household and from under his responsibility. The contract was binding; therefore, the two were as good as married upon the sealing of the contract. At times the contract is signed a month ahead of time. A wedding day was established. On the wedding day while the groom was making preparation to pick up the bride, the groom’s father conducted a wedding feast with food, alcoholic beverages, music and dancing at his home. The groom’s friends attended the feast inside the house, while the bride’s friends remained outside the house. The groom’s friends usually had at least an hour head start over the bride’s friends at the liquor and the food. The bride’s friends could not enter until the bride entered the house. Once the groom picked up the bride, he brought her to his father’s home and the wedding feast. They went inside, and now all the friends of the couple were inside. The celebration lasted all day. Some wedding celebrations lasted even up to a week.

There really wasn’t any ceremony associated with a wedding. It was mostly logistics and included a traditional celebration based on a written contract. A study of the times and the Scripture established that the marriage was consummated by the initial sexual act. That was the only “ceremony” that meant anything. There was no man-made ceremony with any magic words pronounced over the couple. Unfortunately today there is a huge expense associated with a “traditional marriage in a church,” when the money could better be spent on the honeymoon or the initial household as the couple starts out on a life together. Getting married in a church really does not forecast the success of a marriage. The success of the marriage depends solely upon the two involved in it. And as far as the legality and consummation of the marriage before God, it all hinges on the initial sex act. This act is holy before God and was introduced at the beginning of creation by God for the union between man and woman along with all its ramifications. And this is why God condemns sexual misbehavior.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. (John 2:1,2)

The third day is believed to be three days following John 1:43, which was the forth day in the life of John as described in the first chapter. This is most probable, for some time would be necessary for traveling; and Jesus with His new disciples could hardly have journeyed back to Cana in less than two days' time. The entire span between John's initial introduction of Jesus and His appearance at Cana would have been more than a week. Cana was a village in the hills of Galilee. Its exact location is disputed, but the best site seems to be that of Khirbet Qana, about nine miles north of Nazareth.

Mary, the mother of the humanity of Jesus Christ attended the wedding. It should be noted at this time that Mary is given little significance within the New Testament, other than for just a few occasions when she is mentioned. Certainly she was the vehicle selected by God to give physical birth to Christ, but other than that she is mentioned only a very few times in the Bible. This doesn’t go well with those who believe in and practice Maryolitry, which is doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. Frankly, it is totally wrong to venerate or honor anyone above the Lord Jesus Christ. The focus of the entire Bible is Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the salvation of all mankind. So be certain of this, Mary is not the mother of God. She is the mother of the humanity of Jesus Christ. Along with Mary, the disciples of Christ, which numbered six at that point in time (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Phillip and Nathaniel), also attended the wedding.

When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." (John 2:3)

A wedding was a gala occasion, and in a village like Cana it would be a community celebration. "Refreshments" were provided for all guests. Of these, wine was very important. To fail in providing adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely-knit communities of Jesus' day, such an error would never be forgotten. The situation prompted Mary's urgency when she informed Jesus of the emergency. It is believed that Mary’s husband Joseph had passed away before this event; therefore, she would have been dependent upon her son to assist her in handling life’s problems.

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." (John 2:4)

The translation (New International Version - NIV) used in this study indicates that Jesus answered the mother of His humanity in a kind fashion. The term in the NIV is “Dear woman.” There is some disagreement as to how “kind” was His reply. The word in the Greek is gune, which can be translated “woman” (as it is in several translations), and some Bible scholars believe this was a term of strong rebuke. Instead of calling her “mother,” He used the term “woman.” While Mary is the mother of the humanity of Jesus (the name which indicates His humanity), Jesus Christ is the God of Mary. In any case the point should be made that Jesus Christ at this event, and in fact in other Biblical events, does not relate to Mary as His mother. He relates to her as her God. When Jesus Christ is speaking from His deity, and He is in this case, He relates to all human beings the same. This Scripture along with a few others eliminates Maryolitry.

In the King James translation He then says, “What do I have to do with thee?” This can better be translated from the Greek as “What is this to you and me?” In other words, and similar to the NIV translation, it can be translated “How should this involve us?” or “Why should we become involved?” This can be taken in several ways. He could have meant that wine was not important to Mary or to Him. He could have meant that it was not their responsibility to supply the logistics for the wedding. But in light of the response that Jesus gave, i.e., My time has not yet come, it appears that He meant that it was not His time to reveal Himself as the Redeemer. Some suggest that Mary at this time wanted to see Jesus glorified by performing a miracle; whereupon, Jesus reminded her that it was not time for this yet. Others believe that by using the Greek idiom (phrase) They have no more wine, Mary was suggesting that they should leave the ceremony; whereupon, Jesus said it wasn’t time for Him to go. That is He was destined to be there and had a purpose to fulfill. He wouldn’t go until that purpose was complete, i.e., to leave His calling card. The point is that God’s response is not always what man anticipates. As in this case it brings on a mild (some interpret a “sharp”) rebuke and when this happens, man should then take the position that Mary took upon the response of Christ.

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5)

This was the position Mary took immediately, i.e., submission to whatever is God’s plan. She quickly realized she was out of line, so she instantly aligned herself with God’s plan and directed the servants to do likewise. At this point she draws back from trying to influence the situation, and she completely trusts Christ to carry out His plan. So she simply tells the servants to do whatever Christ tells them to do. She was apparently in a position of authority in order to command the servants. How much more important is it for those in authority to follow God’s express will. In authority or not, the lesson is that at this point she was not handling the problem. She turned it over to the Lord knowing that He could handle it. This is a lesson for all. When we attempt to handle life’s problems, we will fail. We must always turn our cares and concerns over to the Lord. He then will handle them.

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. (John 2:6,7)

These water jars or pots were there to hold water for the washing of feet and hands, a custom of the Jews. Each has the capacity of at least 20 gallons. Six times 20 means that there existed the capacity of at least 120 gallons of liquid. At that moment they are empty. Christ orders them to be filled to the brim with water.

Then He told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him. (John 2:7-11)

The "master of the banquet" was not the host; he was the headwaiter or toastmaster. Usually he was called in to take care of the distribution of food and drink at a large social occasion. It was also his responsibility to test the wine for suitability. He was astounded by the high quality of the wine (probably the best ever made upon Earth) since generally a poorer quality was served once the taste of the guests became dulled by means of intoxication. The term “turned” in this passage when examined in the Greek means “changed from something it is not.” This was indeed a miracle. Christ turned pure water into first-rate wine.

This was the first miracle of Jesus, which manifested His glory, and it was performed at Cana in Galilee. This confirmed to His disciples what He had been teaching them all along, and they “put their faith in Him.” The tense of the Greek verb in this phrase reveals that the disciples previously believed, and they continued to believe. A parallel may be drawn between the six disciples and the six water pots. Initially they were empty when found by Jesus. In them went water, representing salvation (Isaiah 55:1), the Word (Ephesians 5:26) and the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Just as the empty pots, the disciples were non-functional (useless, helpless and out of God’s plan) when Jesus found them. When a person experiences salvation, matures in Bible doctrine and is controlled by the Holy Spirit, he continues in a transformation, which may be represented here by “wine.” Wine represents “happiness” (inner peace and joy) and usefulness.

The main issue of this portion of Scripture is not whether there is any good or evil in wine. The issue is not social. The main issue is one’s relation to Jesus Christ. The primary focus is Christ and the revelation of His glory. Christ could have condemned everyone for drinking alcoholic beverage, but He did not. He used the occasion to bring glory to Himself. He showed who He was and emphasized that all social problems are not resolved by a negative attitude but by a positive relationship with Jesus Christ.