MPV Commentary
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for John 2
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for John 2
1. The third day--Jesus would take two days to reach Galilee, and this was the third.
His mother was there, likely attending a family member's wedding. John never names her.
3. There was no wine available--it seems Jesus' host expected some display of his glory and hinted that now was the time for it.
4-5. The woman asked what to do with him, meaning "In my Father's business I have to do with Him only." This was a gentle rebuke for her officious interference, entering an area from which all creatures were excluded (compare Acts 4:19-20).
Jesus hinted that he would do something, but at his own time; and she understood it as such.
6. The water jars held about twenty gallons each, used for washings at feasts like this one (Mark 7:4).
7-8. Jesus directed everyone to fill the jars with water, then draw some out without touching anything himself, to prevent any appearance of collusion.
9-10. The guests were well-drunk, speaking of the general practice at such feasts.
10. The good wine was served until now--thus testifying that it was real wine and better than any at the feast.
11. Jesus' glory was manifested in this miracle--nothing like this is said of prophets or apostles, nor could be said of any mere creature without blasphemy. Observe:
(1) At a marriage, Christ made his first public appearance in any company, and at a marriage he wrought his first miracle, giving noble sanction to that God-given institution.
(2) As the miracle did not make bad good but good better, so Christianity redeems, sanctifies, and ennobles the beneficent but abused institution of marriage; Christ's work turns the water of earth into the wine of heaven. This "beginning of miracles" exhibited the character and "manifested forth the glory" of his entire Mission.
(3) As Christ countenanced our seasons of festivity, so also that greater fulness which befits such; He was far from encouraging asceticism, which has since been put for all religion.
(4) The character and authority ascribed by Romanists to the Virgin are directly in conflict with this and other scriptures.
12. Capernaum--a town on the Sea of Galilee (see Matthew 9:1).
His mother and his brethren were there, as mentioned elsewhere (Luke 2:51, Matthew 13:54-56).