The general subject of the second great division of the Gospel is continued in this section. It contains an account of the miracle at Cana of Galilee, in which, as we are told at John 2:11, Jesus ‘manifested His glory.' The Redeemer is still in the circle of His disciples and friends, and there are... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:1. AND THE THIRD DAY. The third day, as reckoned from the day last mentioned (chap. John 1:43-51); the _sixth_ day referred to in these Chapter s. The first is the day of the Baptist's interview, at Bethany, with the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem (John 1:19-28). On the second (John... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:2. AND JESUS ALSO WAS CALLED, AND HIS DISCIPLES, TO THE MARRIAGE. The form of the sentence shows that our chief attention is to be fixed on Jesus, not on the disciples. They were invited as His disciples. Those who came were probably the five or six mentioned in chap. 1, viz. Andrew, Simon Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:3. AND WHEN WINE WAS WANTING. The failure (which must be understood as complete) may have been occasioned by the long continuance of the festivities, but more probably arose from the presence of several unexpected guests. THE MOTHER OF JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, THEY HAVE NO WINE. Nothing was mor... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:4. AND JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, WOMAN, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE? The English words convey an impression of disrespect and harshness which is absent from the original. This use of the Greek word for ‘woman' is consistent with the utmost respect. In Homer, for example (_Iliad,_ xxiv. 300), Pria... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:5. HIS MOTHER SAITH UNTO THE SERVANTS, WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT. The answer of Jesus (John 2:4) plainly implied that His hour would come. Mary, therefore, turns to the servants, and bids them be ready. The words are indefinite, and we have no right to suppose either that she now lo... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:6. AND THERE WERE THERE SIX WATERPOTS OF STONE, PLACED AFTER THE MANNER OF THE PURIFYING OF THE JEWS, CONTAINING TWO OR THREE FIRKINS APIECE. The waterpots were near at hand,-in the court or at the entrance to the house, not in the house itself. Considering the many washings and purifyings of... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:7. JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, FILL THE WATERPOTS WITH WATER. Probably they were now empty, perhaps in consequence of the ablutions before the feast. AND THEY FILLED THEM UP TO THE BRIM. And when they are thus filled, nothing more can be done to fit them for their original design. They are able... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:8. AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM. DRAW NOW, AND BEAR UNTO THE RULER OF THE FEAST. As the words are commonly understood, the servants are bidden to bring to the table (in smaller jars or bowls) part of the contents of the larger vessels, which were themselves too unwieldy to be moved without difficul... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:9-10. IN THESE VERSES WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY BORNE TO THE COMPLETENESS OF THE MIRACLE. The ruler of the feast, a guest speaking as the representative of the guests, calling the bridegroom (who supplied the feast, and in whose house they were), emphatically recognises the excellence of the wine... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:11. THIS DID JESUS AS THE BEGINNING OF HIS SIGNS, IN CANA OF GALILEE, AND MANIFESTED HIS GLORY; AND HIS DISCIPLES BELIEVED IN HIM. This, His first sign, was wrought in Galilee, where Isaiah (John 9:1-2) prophesied that Messiah's work should begin. The threefold comment of the Evangelist is of... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:12. AFTER THIS HE WENT DOWN TO CAPERNAUM. Nazareth, not Cana, would appear to be the place from which Jesus ‘went down' (from the hill-country of Galilee, comp. chap. John 4:47; John 4:49; John 4:51) to Capernaum, for His brethren, who are not said to have been with Him in Cana, are now of th... [ Continue Reading ]
In the passage before us we have the first section of the third great division of our Gospel. Jesus leaves the circle of His disciples, and begins His public work. This is done at Jerusalem, after a few days spent in Capernaum. In the metropolis of Israel He appears as the Son in His Father's house;... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:13. AND THE PASSOVER OF THE JEWS WAS AT HAND, AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. The expression, ‘passover of _the Jews,_ is very remarkable, and can be explained only by the usage already noticed in John 2:6. To John's mind the nation cannot but present itself habitually as in opposition to his... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:14. AND HE FOUND IN THE TEMPLE-COURTS THOSE THAT SOLD OXEN AND SHEEP AND DOVES. The scene of this traffic was the outer court, commonly spoken of as the court of the Gentiles, but known to the Jews as ‘the mountain of the house.' This court (which was on a lower level than the inner courts an... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:15. AND MAKING A SCOURGE OF CORDS, HE DROVE THEM ALL OUT OF THE TEMPLE-COURTS, AND THE SHEEP AND THE OXEN. The scourge was made for the expulsion of the animals, but by it Jesus also declared His purpose to the traders themselves. The words show distinctly that it is with the men that He is d... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:16. AND SAID UNTO THEM THAT SOLD THE DOVES, TAKE THESE THINGS HENCE; MAKE NOT MY FATHER'S HOUSE AN HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE. We must not suppose that the sellers of doves were more leniently dealt with. The oxen might be driven away, the tables overturned, but the cages of birds must be carried o... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:17. HIS DISCIPLES REMEMBERED THAT IT WAS WRITTEN, THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE SHALL EAT ME UP. Clearly (from the contrast with John 2:22) they remembered this scripture _at that time._ The quotation is from Psalms 69, a psalm which is several times referred to in the New Testament. See Romans 15:... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:18. THE JEWS THEREFORE ANSWERED. The effect on the disciples has been related; what will be the response of the rulers to the self-revelation of Jesus? The word ‘therefore' answers to the Evangelist's knowledge of the fact. Their position of inward antagonism is present to his thought, though... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:19. JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, DESTROY THIS TEMPLE. The most important point for the understanding of this verse is the distinction between the two words which the English Bible renders ‘temple.' The word used in John 2:14-15 denotes generally the whole area within the walls, and here... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:20. THE JEWS THEREFORE SAID, FORTY AND SIX YEARS WAS THIS TEMPLE IN BUILDING, AND WILT THOU RAISE IT UP IN THREE DAYS? They answer only by another question, not an inquiry, but really an indignant and scornful rejection of His words. It was at the close of the year 20 B.C. or the beginning of... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:21. See above on John 2:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:22. WHEN THEREFORE HE WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD, HIS DISCIPLES REMEMBERED THAT HE SAID THIS. Again (as in John 2:10) we are struck by the suddenness with which the narrative breaks off. It has been related mainly to bring out the rejection of Jesus by the Jews; the Evangelist pauses upon it on... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:23. NOW WHEN HE WAS IN JERUSALEM AT THE PASSOVER, AT THE FEAST, MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, BEHOLDING HIS SIGNS WHICH HE DID. In this verse we pass from the public presentation of Jesus to the people and ‘the Jews' in the house of His Father to His more private ministry in Jerusalem: rejected... [ Continue Reading ]
It is of much importance to keep the closing verses of chap. 2 in close connection with the opening verses of chap. 3 (see the commentary on John 3:1). Rejected by the theocracy of Israel Jesus turns to individuals, but these are not confined to Israel. The woman of Samaria and the king's officer of... [ Continue Reading ]
John 2:24-25. BUT JESUS DID NOT TRUST HIMSELF UNTO THEM ON ACCOUNT OF HIS DISCERNING ALL MEN, AND BECAUSE HE NEEDED NOT THAT ANY SHOULD BEAR WITNESS CONCERNING A MAN; FOR HE HIMSELF DISCERNED WHAT WAS IN THE MAN. The effect produced upon Jesus Himself by this imperfection of faith is described in ve... [ Continue Reading ]