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Summary

John 2:1–11 – The Wedding at Cana

What happens:
At a wedding in Cana of Galilee, the host runs out of wine. Mary informs Jesus, who initially hesitates but then instructs servants to fill six stone water jars with water. He tells them to draw out and take to the master of the banquet, who tastes it and marvels that the best wine was saved until now.

What it means:
Jesus’ first public sign reveals his glory and authority over creation, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His concern for human celebration shows his compassion and inaugurates the abundance of the new covenant.

John 2:12–17 – Cleansing the Temple

What happens:
Jesus travels to Capernaum, then goes up to Jerusalem for the Passover. In the temple courts he finds merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves and money changers at their tables. He makes a whip of cords, drives them all out, overturns tables, and declares, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market.”

What it means:
Jesus asserts his authority over religious practice, defending true worship. His zeal for God’s house emphasizes that devotion must be sincere and pure, not corrupted by commerce.

John 2:18–22 – Questioning and Prophecy

What happens:
The Jews ask Jesus for a sign to prove his authority to cleanse the temple. He replies, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days.” They misunderstand, thinking he speaks of the physical temple, but John explains he spoke of his body. After his resurrection, his disciples remember and believe his words.

What it means:
Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, redefining the temple as his own body. His rising in three days vindicates his claim and becomes the ultimate sign of his messianic identity.

Application

  • Invite Jesus to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary in your life, trusting his power to bring abundance
  • Maintain purity in your worship and community, guarding against distractions that compromise devotion
  • Believe in Jesus’ authority demonstrated by his resurrection, recognizing that his body is the true temple
  • Reflect on Christ’s zeal for God’s house as a model for wholehearted passion in your relationship with God

Bible

1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9When 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,

10And 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.

11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

13And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15And 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;

16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21But he spake of the temple of his body.

22When 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.

23Now 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.

24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

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