John 2
BSB1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine." 4 “Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you." 6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!" 11 Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this, He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there a few days. 13 When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!" 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me." 18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?" 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again." 20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?" 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. 22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23 While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name. 24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. 25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
Study Notes — John 2
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from John 2
- Themes from John 2
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on John 2
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
John chapter 2 begins with Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He turns water into wine, demonstrating His divine power and glory. The chapter then transitions to Jesus' cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem, where He drives out the money changers and merchants, declaring the temple to be His Father's house. Jesus also performs many signs and miracles in Jerusalem, leading many to believe in Him. However, Jesus does not entrust Himself to them because He knows all people and their intentions. The chapter concludes with a reference to Jesus' future resurrection and the testimony of the disciples who believed in Him.
Context for the Chapter
John chapter 2 is situated early in Jesus' public ministry, following His baptism and temptation. The events in this chapter, including the miracle at Cana and the cleansing of the temple, set the stage for Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. The chapter also establishes themes that will be developed throughout the Gospel of John, such as the importance of faith, the revelation of Jesus' glory, and the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders.
Heart Application
As we reflect on John chapter 2, we are reminded of the importance of responding to Jesus' self-revelation with faith and obedience. Just as the disciples believed in Jesus after witnessing His first miracle, we too can deepen our faith by considering the signs and teachings of Jesus. May we, like Jesus, prioritize the pursuit of true worship and the glorification of God in our lives.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
John chapter 2 tells us about Jesus' first miracle, where He turns water into wine at a wedding. This shows Jesus' power and glory, leading His disciples to believe in Him. Jesus also cleanses the temple, teaching us about the importance of true worship and faith. As we read this chapter, we can learn more about Jesus and how to follow Him, as seen in John 2:11.
Voices from the Church
“The miracle at Cana was not merely a display of power, but a revelation of Jesus' character, showing His care for the humble and His desire to bring joy to those who trust in Him.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The cleansing of the temple demonstrates Jesus' zeal for the house of God and His commitment to restoring true worship, free from corruption and hypocrisy.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11) — Jesus performs His first miracle, turning water into wine, and reveals His glory, leading to the faith of His disciples.
- The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:12-22) — Jesus drives out the money changers and merchants from the temple, declaring it to be His Father's house and restoring true worship.
- Many Believe in Jesus (John 2:23-25) — Jesus performs many signs and miracles in Jerusalem, leading many to believe in Him, but He does not entrust Himself to them because He knows all people and their intentions.
- The Resurrection Foretold (John 2:18-22) — Jesus refers to His future resurrection, which will be a sign of His divine authority and power.
- Conclusion (John 2:23-25) — The chapter concludes with a reference to Jesus' knowledge of all people and His decision not to entrust Himself to them, highlighting the theme of faith and obedience in response to Jesus' self-revelation.
Core Doctrines
- The Deity of Christ
- John chapter 2 teaches the deity of Christ through His miracles and teachings, demonstrating His divine power and authority.
- The Importance of Faith
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in response to Jesus' self-revelation, as seen in the disciples' belief in Him after the first miracle.
- The Nature of True Worship
- Jesus' cleansing of the temple highlights the importance of true worship, free from corruption and hypocrisy, and centered on the glorification of God.
- The Authority of Jesus
- The chapter demonstrates Jesus' authority over the temple and its practices, declaring it to be His Father's house and driving out the money changers.
Lessons from John 2
- The Power of Faith — The chapter teaches us about the importance of faith in response to Jesus' self-revelation, as seen in the disciples' belief in Him after the first miracle.
- The Centrality of Worship — Jesus' cleansing of the temple highlights the importance of true worship, free from corruption and hypocrisy, and centered on the glorification of God.
- The Authority of Jesus — The chapter demonstrates Jesus' authority over the temple and its practices, declaring it to be His Father's house and driving out the money changers.
- The Necessity of Obedience — The chapter teaches us about the importance of obedience to Jesus' teachings and commands, as seen in the disciples' response to His signs and miracles.
- The Promise of Resurrection — Jesus refers to His future resurrection, which will be a sign of His divine authority and power, and a source of hope and comfort for believers.
Themes from John 2
- The Revelation of Jesus' Glory — The chapter highlights the revelation of Jesus' glory through His signs and teachings, leading to the faith of His disciples.
- The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in response to Jesus' self-revelation, as seen in the disciples' belief in Him after the first miracle.
- The Centrality of Worship — Jesus' cleansing of the temple highlights the importance of true worship, free from corruption and hypocrisy, and centered on the glorification of God.
- The Authority of Jesus — The chapter demonstrates Jesus' authority over the temple and its practices, declaring it to be His Father's house and driving out the money changers.
- The Promise of Resurrection — Jesus refers to His future resurrection, which will be a sign of His divine authority and power, and a source of hope and comfort for believers.
Questions for Meditation
- What does Jesus' first miracle at Cana reveal about His character and divine power?
- How does Jesus' cleansing of the temple relate to the theme of true worship and faith?
- What does Jesus' knowledge of all people and their intentions teach us about His divine nature and our response to Him?
- How can we, like the disciples, deepen our faith in Jesus through considering His signs and teachings?
- What lessons can we learn from Jesus' authority and commitment to restoring true worship in the temple?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11)
| John 2:1 | The chapter begins with Jesus being invited to a wedding in Cana, where His mother is also present. |
| John 2:2 | Jesus and His disciples are invited to the wedding, and Jesus' mother tells Him that the wine has run out. |
| John 2:3 | Jesus' mother asks Him to do something about the lack of wine, and Jesus responds by saying that His hour has not yet come. |
| John 2:4 | Jesus tells His mother that He will not get involved in the situation, but His mother instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. |
| John 2:5 | Jesus instructs the servants to fill six stone water jars with water, which they do. |
| John 2:6 | Jesus then tells the servants to draw some of the water out of the jars and take it to the master of the banquet. |
| John 2:7 | The servants do as Jesus instructs, and the master of the banquet is amazed at the quality of the wine. |
| John 2:8 | The master of the banquet calls the bridegroom and tells him that he has saved the best wine for last. |
| John 2:9 | The bridegroom is amazed at the quality of the wine, and the servants who had drawn the water out of the jars are also amazed. |
| John 2:10 | The master of the banquet tells the bridegroom that the wine is the best he has ever tasted. |
| John 2:11 | This, the first of His signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. |
2. The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:12-22)
| John 2:12 | After the miracle at Cana, Jesus goes down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and stays there for a few days. |
| John 2:13 | The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus goes up to Jerusalem. |
| John 2:14 | In the temple, Jesus finds people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and also money changers sitting at tables. |
| John 2:15 | Jesus makes a whip out of cords and drives all the animals out of the temple, and also overturns the tables of the money changers. |
| John 2:16 | Jesus tells the people selling doves to take them away, and tells them not to make His Father's house a house of trade. |
| John 2:17 | The disciples remember that the Scripture says, 'Zeal for Your house will consume me.' |
| John 2:18 | The Jews ask Jesus for a sign to show them why He is doing these things, and Jesus responds by saying that He will raise the temple in three days. |
| John 2:19 | The Jews tell Jesus that it has taken 46 years to build the temple, and Jesus responds by saying that He will raise it in three days. |
| John 2:20 | The Jews are amazed at Jesus' statement, and Jesus tells them that He is referring to the temple of His body. |
| John 2:21 | Jesus is referring to the fact that He will be raised from the dead in three days, and that this will be a sign of His divine authority and power. |
| John 2:22 | After Jesus is raised from the dead, the disciples remember that He had said this, and they believe the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. |
3. Many Believe in Jesus (John 2:23-25)
| John 2:23 | Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name. |
| John 2:24 | But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. |
| John 2:25 | He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He knew what was in each person. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Jesus' first miracle at Cana?
Jesus' first miracle at Cana reveals His divine power and glory, leading to the faith of His disciples. As seen in John 2:11, this miracle is a sign of Jesus' authority and a demonstration of His care for the humble and His desire to bring joy to those who trust in Him.
Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?
Jesus cleansed the temple to restore true worship and to declare the temple to be His Father's house. As seen in John 2:16, Jesus told the people selling doves to take them away, and told them not to make His Father's house a house of trade.
What does Jesus' knowledge of all people and their intentions teach us?
Jesus' knowledge of all people and their intentions teaches us about His divine nature and our response to Him. As seen in John 2:24-25, Jesus did not entrust Himself to the people because He knew all people and their intentions, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with Him.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 2:1 → Genesis 2:2 | The miracle at Cana is reminiscent of God's creation of the world, where He brings order and abundance out of chaos. |
| 2 | John 2:11 → Isaiah 35:1-2 | The revelation of Jesus' glory is similar to the prophecy of Isaiah, where the glory of the Lord is revealed to all people. |
| 3 | John 2:14 → Matthew 21:12-13 | The cleansing of the temple is similar to the event in Matthew, where Jesus also drives out the money changers and merchants from the temple. |
| 4 | John 2:17 → Psalm 69:9 | The disciples remember that the Scripture says, 'Zeal for Your house will consume me.', which is a quote from Psalm 69:9. |
| 5 | John 2:19 → Matthew 26:61 | The statement that Jesus will raise the temple in three days is similar to the statement made by the false witnesses during Jesus' trial. |
| 6 | John 2:21 → 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 | The temple of Jesus' body is similar to the concept of the body of Christ, where believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit. |
| 7 | John 2:22 → John 12:16 | The disciples' remembrance of Jesus' words after His resurrection is similar to the event in John 12, where the disciples also remember Jesus' words after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. |
| 8 | John 2:23 → John 1:1 | The many people who believe in Jesus' name are similar to the people who believe in Jesus as the Word of God. |
| 9 | John 2:24 → John 6:64 | Jesus' knowledge of all people and their intentions is similar to the statement made in John 6, where Jesus knows that one of His disciples is a devil. |
| 10 | John 2:25 → Hebrews 4:13 | The fact that Jesus did not need anyone to testify concerning man is similar to the statement made in Hebrews, where it is written that nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. |
Sermons on John 2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Anahiem Talk on Revival by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of having a three-fold vision. He shares a story about a Welshman named Stephen Jeffries who was able to elicit a response fro |
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The Aroma of Prayer by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and its transformative power in people's lives. He shares his personal journey of learning about prayer and witnessi |
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Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Jesus overturning tables in the temple. He emphasizes the importance of not only doing God's work, but also doing it in the rig |
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(John) 05 - the Samaritan Woman by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the passage from John chapter 4, where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the harvest. The disciples saw need, but Jesus saw the potential f |
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(John) 03 - the Witness of Works by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. He emphasizes the significance of Jesus attending a wedding and bringing joy to eve |
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God's Purpose for Us by Major Ian Thomas | Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that God's ultimate purpose for us is to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is not only our Redeemer but also our very life. He s |
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(Europe 2008) Session 2 - Cleansing the Temple by B.H. Clendennen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of cleansing in the house of God. He draws a parallel between Jesus cleansing the temple at the beginning and end of his mini |
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A Call for Intercessors by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging that all our learning is meaningless without God's guidance. He prays for God to touch his physical body, mind, and the hearts |
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Dr. Baxter's Testimony by J. Sidlow Baxter | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal anecdotes and reflections on the impact of Jesus in his life. He recalls his mother's faith and the influence of evangelists in his town |
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True Discipleship - Part 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining zeal for God in the Christian life. He warns against getting caught up in worldly pursuits and living a life wi |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 2
In John chapter 2, we see the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, where He reveals His glory and divine power through His miracles and teachings. The miracle at Cana, where Jesus turns water into wine, is a sign of His authority and a demonstration of His care for the humble and His desire to bring joy to those who trust in Him. The cleansing of the temple, where Jesus drives out the money changers and merchants, is a declaration of the temple as His Father's house and a call to restore true worship. As Matthew Henry writes, 'The zeal of God's house has eaten Him up, and He will not suffer it to be made a house of merchandise.' Through these events, Jesus teaches us about the importance of faith, obedience, and true worship, and demonstrates His divine nature and power. As we reflect on this chapter, may we be reminded of the significance of Jesus' self-revelation and the importance of responding to Him with faith and obedience. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Role of Faith
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in response to Jesus' self-revelation, as seen in the disciples' belief in Him after the first miracle. This theme is central to the gospel, highlighting the necessity of faith for salvation.
Jesus' Authority
Jesus demonstrates His authority over the temple and its practices, declaring it to be His Father's house and driving out the money changers. This shows Jesus' divine nature and His commitment to restoring true worship.
The Reaction of the People
The people's reactions to Jesus' miracles and teachings vary, with some believing in Him and others being skeptical or even hostile. This reflects the mixed responses to Jesus' ministry throughout the Gospel of John.