2 And both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage.
Commentary: Jesus was invited he was wanted. Jesus means "Savior" His capacity at the wedding. His disciples may have been invited because they were followers of Jesus. This being Jesus' first miracle is a type and shadow of the great wedding feast in the Book of Revelation and us being the Bride of Christ. This is the heart and tenor of the New Testament. Jesus is truth and represents truth as the disciples and the wedding goers recipients.
3 And when they wanted wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him. They have no wine.
Commentary: Apparently Mary was in charge of the wine (or the wine master told Mary) and it would be unthinkable to run out of wine and the wedding not over. Mary knew Jesus after 30 years so it was natural to give Jesus this problem so too in our lives. All throughout the Scriptures Mary is the mother of Jesus.
4 Jesus saith unto her Woman what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Commentary: In the Gospels Jesus never called Mary His mother. Here Mary approaches Jesus on the natural level. And Jesus knew He had to sever his relationship with His mother to be the Son of God. He did this on the cross, but not now. Jesus was more concerned about the spiritual.
5 His mother saith unto the servants. Whatsoever he saith unto you do it.
Commentary: Jesus could not forsake His mother. Mary knew Jesus well and pondered many things the Holy Spirit told her in heart. Certainly Mary is much more than most give her credit, but not enough to be considered a co-redemption. Doing whatever He tells you to do without spiritual awareness would not make much sense. According to the Scriptures Mary had never seen Jesus do a miracle, but her words reflected her faith in Jesus.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone after the manner of purifying of the Jews containing two or three firkins apiece.
Commentary: The number six is symbolic of man and is one short of seven which means completion. Uncleanness is reflected in the water pots used for washing before going in to eat. Notice the water pots have not been used maybe the people were not dirty. The two or three refers to witness. The Faithful Witness is on the scene to manifest God's glory.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim
Commentary: Jesus does not hesitate at Mary's request. Here is a divine spiritual principle in action. When there comes a work of God in our lives bringing newness of life we must always function in that new areas. New wine is put into new wine skins. We must never attempt to function or operate with our newness of life in our old patterns.
8 And he saith unto them draw out now (no prayer) and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Commentary: The real miracle was they could drink the wine and it not kill them. Wine must set and age if not it can poison us. Each water pot held 27 gallons of wine which is a total of 162 gallons of wine. Jesus could have turned one of two pots of water into wine, but here changing all six shows the abundance of God in action.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made (not created a different word) wine and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom.
Commentary: Not everyone knew of the miracle. The servants knew of the miracles, but the more important people at the wedding did not have the spiritual awareness the servants did. The servants operated in Jesus area because Jesus operated in the servants area.
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.
Commentary: Man's order is good to worse, but God order is good to better. Rather than allow the wine to settle in its lees it is poured out from vessel to vessel to drain the wine with it impurities. Those who have settled on their lees and their dregs are not serviceable to the LORD.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana Galilee and manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on him.
Commentary: Who has seen the sign? Who has seen the glory. Just because one has seen a sign does not mean he has seen His glory. A manifest glory of God is not always apparent to all present. Those who are wrapped up in the carnal and material realm will see practically nothing of the spiritual realm. To see into the spiritual realm requires one to have a clean hands and purified heart.
12 After this he went down (the way up is down) to Capernaum he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Commentary: Capernaum means "village of comfort." The days of a normal natural relationship Mary and Jesus' brothers are nearing it completion. The disciples too will be coming more to a fulfillment. The disciples related to Jesus for a natural kingdom, but this too will soon change.
13 And the Jew's passover was at hand and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Commentary: Many critical events in the life and ministry of Jesus were around the passover. Jesus was always ever good Jew. From Capernaum one would have to walk up the hill to the City of Jerusalem. This "going up" to a higher place in God is seen often the Bible. God told Moses to come up on the mountain Exodus.
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
Commentary: Jesus did not accidently happen to run into this mess in the Temple He went looking for it. He knew it was there from past experience. Remember the cleansing of the temple happened in the last days of His ministry and He needed to do something to get the religious rulers to kill him.
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and poured out the changers' money and overthrew the tables.
Commentary: There is only one picture that can be drawn from this verse. Harsh measures must be employed to bring about the deliverance from corruption. No concession will be given to our flesh.
16 And said unto them that sold doves Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Commentary: Although no quarter is ever given to flesh and corruption dealings and judgment will be in relationship to personal standing. Those "that sold doves" speaks of the common people. Jesus was telling the common people to stay away from the hucksters in the so called ministry who scheme to fleece the flock in order to line their pockets will be dealt with by God. We must avoid these people at all cost. It is still better to give than to receive.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written ("man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4), The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Commentary: The disciples knew the Old Testament sayings quite well and always kept it in the back of their mind as they dealt with Jesus. Remember they were not quite sure of Jesus intentions, but Jesus knew their intentions. The "zeal" with this picture is its expression of the Father in Jesus which is such for the moment strong feeling that the Father's feelings consumed the gentleness of Jesus.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Commentary: Jesus takes His authority to drive out the money changers from His Father's house, but the religious leaders asked Jesus by what authority do you work this miracle. The sign was given in verse 11. Between the wedding and the driving out of the money changers two years passed and many other signs were given.
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
Commentary: They were not looking for a sign, but reasons to reject Jesus and His ministry. Jesus forth coming resurrection is the ultimate sign of His authority. The religious leaders did not mind if He was the Lamb of God, but they did mind if He arose from the dead as He said because this would be the ultimate sign that would inspire faith in Him.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
Commentary: Here is a blindness of educated men who have no hearing ear. The wisdom of God is foolishness in the eyes of the world. The Bible says the carnal man receives not the things of God.
21 But he was spake of the temple of his body.
Commentary: It would take keen discernment at this moment to understand what Jesus was staying. Remember at this time even the disciples did not want Jesus to die (see Matthew 16:21-22) they wanted to restore the kingdom of the Jews in revolt.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scriptures, and the word which Jesus had said.
Commentary: Like all things in God experience teaches us many things. After Jesus is raised from the dead they remember His words of His death and resurrection. This gives place for His words (Acts 1-2) to stay in Jerusalem until they receive power, the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover in the feast day, many believed (they believed because of the violence he displayed and maybe kicking out the Roman and their system) in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
Commentary: The people who believed had to have faith, but not the faith of the disciples. Degrees of faith are seen all throughout the Bible, but as we move closer to the LORD and hear His word our faith seems increase. But miracles are not God's best for our lives. Miracles are done for the unbelieving. God has put into place divine spiritual principles and if we walk in them we will not need God to do miracles for us.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men.
Commentary: Jesus never gave Himself (He did die for all men) to all men because He knew their heart. Jesus does not extend His fellowship to those who do not extend their fellowship to Him. We hold the key to God's fellowship not God.
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Commentary: By this time Jesus could read a person completely. In many faith is not pure. Commitment is not complete. Trust is not full. The new spiritual order will not create all men equal no more than the Law could. Different men will have different qualities therefore they will call for different responses and manners of working by God.
Summary: Verses 1-25
Here in the beginning of Chapter 2 we see Jesus still gathering disciples (He had 82 we know of in Scripture) and at a wedding feast where He does His first miracle turning water in stone pots (impure fleshly vessels) into drinkable wine (useable vessel prepared for the masters use). And of course the religious rulers began to question His authority by what power do you do these things. Then Jesus goes to the Temple and drives the cattle and money changers out with a whip of cords. Lastly the religious rulers ask Jesus for a sign and Jesus replies with a sign they do not understand, "destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up" speaking of His death and resurrection.
