John Chapter 2:1-25 King James Bible KJV

The Wedding at Cana, The Cleansing of the Temple, Jesus’ Knowledge of Humanity

John Chapter 2:1-25 King James Bible KJV. John Chapter 2 in the New Testament of the Bible contains two key events from the life of Jesus: the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. These events are significant for both the development of Jesus’ ministry and their deeper theological implications. This chapter introduces key aspects of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and foreshadows many elements of His mission, including sacrifice, transformation, and the establishment of a new way to relate to God.

• Jesus’ Divine Authority: Both the miracle at Cana and the cleansing of the temple demonstrate Jesus’ divine power and authority.
• Spiritual Renewal: The water-to-wine miracle signifies transformation and the newness Jesus brings, while the temple cleansing represents a call to purity and proper worship.
• Foreshadowing the Cross and Resurrection: The reference to the destruction and rebuilding of the temple hints at Jesus’ death and resurrection, an overarching theme in the Gospel of John.

John Chapter 2:1-25 King James Bible KJV
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The Wedding at Cana – verses 1 -11
Jesus, His mother Mary, and His disciples attend a wedding in Cana of Galilee. When the wine runs out, Mary informs Jesus, and He miraculously turns water into wine. This is described as Jesus’ first miracle or “sign,” revealing His divine power and glory. It also deepens the faith of His disciples.

• Revealing Jesus’ Glory: This miracle signifies the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and the manifestation of His divine authority.
• Transformation: The miracle of turning water into wine can be interpreted as a symbol of spiritual transformation, showing that Jesus brings newness and fullness (the wine representing joy, celebration, and abundance).
• Mary’s Role: Mary’s involvement, though brief, emphasizes her faith in Jesus’ ability to act, and the conversation between her and Jesus has been subject to various interpretations regarding timing, obedience, and divine will.

The Cleansing of the Temple – verses 12-22
Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem and finds people selling animals for sacrifices and money changers conducting business. In a rare display of anger, He drives them out, overturns their tables, and declares, “Do not make my Father’s house a house of trade!” His actions challenge the corruption that had taken root in the temple system.

• Purification: The cleansing of the temple symbolizes the need for spiritual purity and a rejection of practices that exploit faith for material gain.
• Jesus as the New Temple: Jesus’ statement, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” is later interpreted by His disciples as a reference to His resurrection. This points to a shift from the physical temple in Jerusalem to Jesus Himself being the true dwelling place of God’s presence.

Jesus’ Knowledge of Humanity – verses 23-25
At the end of the chapter, many people begin to believe in Jesus because of the miracles He performs. However, the passage notes that Jesus did not “entrust” Himself to them, because He knew the hearts of men.

• Insight into Human Nature: Jesus’ knowledge of human nature, including people’s inner motives, suggests His divine ability to see beyond outward actions to the intentions and faith of individuals.
• Sincerity of Faith: This section highlights the distinction between superficial belief based on signs and deeper, genuine faith.

John Chapter 2:1-25 King James Bible KJV

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When 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,
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.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And 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;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When 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.

23 Now 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.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.