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Bible Study for Macroom – Teaching Series - No.1
The Gospel of John
Chapter 2
(John 20:30, 31)
Intro: The first miracle is done in Jesus’ ministry when He turns water into wine.
Key Verse - John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up.
Verse 1 - And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was
there:

Probably meant as the third day after speaking with Nathanael, they come to Cana. This was
a small town about 15 miles northwest of Tiberias and 6 miles northeast of Nazareth.

Jesus’ mother was already there at the marriage, and possibly could have been a relative or
friend of the bride or groom.
Verse 2 - And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Invited to the marriage are Jesus, and those disciples that Jesus had made when in Judea.
These were most likely Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael. They were not yet called to be
apostles, but they believed that he was the Messiah. The miracle performed here was
doubtless to convince them more fully that he was the Christ.
Verse 3 - And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

It is apparent by the verse that there was a lack wine and they wanted more. It certainly
could be an embarrassment to the host to run out of necessities at the feast which lasted
several days. Nevertheless we are told they wanted wine and Mary the mother of Jesus went
to her Son to take care of the situation. She had never seen Him do a miracle bu,t she knew
He was from God, and could do something in this situation. So, she tells Jesus the problem.
Note: Wine – Word used in the Bible for both the juice of the grape and alcoholic drink.
Context is what provides us with the proper intended meaning. I cannot believe this verse as
the wine being fermented, alcoholic wine. I believe it would have been pure grape juice. I
cannot rectify in my heart and mind Jesus Christ making (we will see in the succeeding verses
gallons of) alcoholic wine to give to people who were already drunk (though I do not believe
the connotation is that they were, Ref.Vs.10). Habakuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his
neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou
mayest look on their nakedness! We know the damaging effects of alcohol on the human
body and the results of drunkenness on society. Jesus would never do that. Luke 9:56
Verse 4 - Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
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Bible Study for Macroom – Teaching Series - No.1

Jesus speaks to His mother and says “Woman”. I don’t see the use of this address to His
mother as necessarily a reproving attitude toward her but a show or reminder of His
authority. We also need to be careful not to think of Jesus as someone we just call on only for
our own self-interest and wants. He is God! He is the Son of God, not a genie to be called on
notice. It is the same term by which he tenderly addressed Mary Magdalene after his
resurrection John20:15, and his mother when he was on the cross, John 19:26. Compare also
Matt.15:28; John 4:21

When Jesus says “…what have I to do with thee…” I do sense a mild reproof to His mother
about her trying to control the situation and before the time was right. His hour (as Jesus calls
it) or time to perform the miracle was coming but He would have made that decision at the
proper time but is being prodded to move ahead by His mother. Jesus is never late when He
is doing the will of the Father. Jesus is never late, seldom early, usually right on time.
Verse 5 - His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Mary seems to understand completely what her Son was conveying in the previous verse.
Mary instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus says to do. Matter handled, no one
offended. Mary realizes this is her Saviour and Lord also. Luke 1:46-48; 2:11
Verse 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.

Six stone water pots were set off to the side and they would have held some 18-25 gallons a
piece. So, there was the possible to hold anywhere from 100-150 gallons of water that would
have been used for purification (washings) in the Jewish home. A typical pitcher and bowl we
may have seen in the days before indoor plumbing.

Simply put the Jews would wash their feet, and hands and also other vessels as part of their
traditions and rituals in the Jewish home.
Verse 7 - Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

The Lord tells the servants at the feast to fill the waterpots to the brim with water. There
would be nothing left to doubt that somehow the miracle they were about to witness was
anything but a miracle.

It wasn’t Jesus filling the waterpots, and no room was left in the pots for any mixture of
something poured in. No, the waterpots were filled to the very top with water by some
household servants.
Verse 8 - And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they
bare it.
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
Just the spoken word of Christ has power. “Draw out now“ Jesus then instructs the servants
to draw from the waterpot and take it to the governor of the feast to taste. The servants did
as they were told. Smaller vessels were used to draw out some of what was thought to be
still water to man who was in charge of the marriage feast.
Verse 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,

The governor (was in charge of directing the feast such as when, what, where…) of the
marriage feast tastes the cup brought to him and quickly calls the bridegroom to himself. The
ruler of the feast had no idea what or from where this beverage had come to him except that
the servants knew.
Verse 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.

The ruler tells the bridegroom the usual custom is that men set out for consumption the best
grape juice (sweet and pure). Then, after much time has gone by and men have drunk much
wine their taste is dulled and the less good wine is brought out for the guests. Strange thing
has happened in this case though. The ruler says that you (the bridegroom) have kept the
best juice until now. Please take note of how wine mocks the user. Prov.20:1; 23:29-35 Also
the stories of Noah and Lot would suffice to show the destroying power of old wine.
Note: “…the good wine…” - This shows that this had all the qualities of real wine. We should
not be deceived by the phrase “good wine.” We often use the phrase to denote that it is
good in proportion to its strength and its power to intoxicate; but no such sense is to be
attached to the word here. The wine referred to here was doubtless such as was commonly
drunk in Palestine. That was the pure juice of the grape. It was not mixed wine, nor drugged
wine (as myrrh), nor wine compounded of various substances, such as we drink in this land.
The common wine drunk in Palestine was that which was the simple juice of the grape. We
use the word “wine” now to denote the kind of liquid which passes under that name in this
country - always containing a considerable portion of alcohol not only the alcohol produced
by fermentation, but alcohol “added” to keep it or make it stronger. But we have no right to
take that sense of the word, and go with it to the interpretation of the Scriptures. We should
endeavour to place ourselves in the exact circumstances of those times, ascertain precisely
what idea the word would convey to those who used it then, and apply that sense to the
word in the interpretation of the Bible; and there is not the slightest evidence that the word
so used would have conveyed any idea but that of the pure juice of the grape, nor the
slightest circumstance mentioned in this account that would not be fully met by such a
supposition. (Barnes Commentary)
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Verse 11 - This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and
his disciples believed on him.

This seems to be the first of many miracles to come. Here in a little town of few hundred
maybe Jesus shows His glory and power. The disciples now are drawn to Him and believe in a
greater way Who He is.
Verse 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.

Now Jesus and His disciples and also His mother and brethren. Some of His half-brothers and
possibly half-sisters also went with this group. They spent a great deal of time here in this
small sea coast town.

Jesus’ brethren were part of this group as in His four half-brothers and at least two sisters.
Mark 6:1-4 The Catholic teaching that Mary was a perpetual virgin is false teaching!
Verse 13 - And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

Every male among the Jews was required to appear at this feast. Jesus, in obedience to the
law, went up to observe it. This is the first Passover on which he attended after he entered on
the work of the ministry. Jesus’ time at Capernaum was numbered by His desire and
requirement to attend the Passover in Jerusalem. He makes His way the 100 miles to
Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and the days of Unleavened Bread.
Verse 14 - And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of
money sitting:

This is the first of two times Jesus cleans house, so to speak. Matt.21:12,13 Only three years
go by and things went right back to what He had rebuked the money changers and temple
priests for before. Sound familiar? Sometimes it doesn’t take us long either to go back to
doing the wrong things and Jesus must clean house. Jesus enters into the temple and finds
God’s house turned into a place of business. There were those who sold animals for the
sacrifices required by the Jews for their purification to eat the Passover.

There were also those who changed the Roman money into the Jews money that they could
offer to the treasury. Still happens today as money changers change euros to dollars and
charge a tax or fee. The Jews from lands far away could change money to buy a sacrifice
(dove or a lamb).
Verse 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;
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
Jesus makes Himself a whip and intends to use it. He is physically going to drive these animals
out and away from the temple court and also upsets the money changers purses or dishes
and then goes on to upset their tables. The Lord is obviously angered by the lack of reverence
for the (as Jesus called it) House of Prayer. Matt.21:12,13 Sometimes drastic measures need
to be taken to affect change, and wake people us. Remember your salvation!
Verse 16 - And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house
an house of merchandise.
 Jesus takes a stand and says to those were involved in selling and exchanging money, to get
out and take their wares with them. This temple (His Father’s house) was not to be a house of
trade.

Here was to be worship and sacrifices and it had been made into a place of commercial
business.
Verse 17- And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me
up.

Jesus got angry and we know that anger in itself is not sin. Eph.4:26 Jesus got angry because
they were defiling the house of God the Temple. It wasn’t personal in the sense He was
concerned about honouring God and righteousness. Jesus personally took much critisicm and
mocking, but when it came to doing right and honouring God, and helping the helpless He
took a stand. Jesus was consumed with desire to set things straight. His passion was to take
the steps needed and do what was necessary. The disciples are taken to the scriptures in
remembrance of specifically Psalm 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the
reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. They didn’t treat God right!
Jesus felt their shameful, disgraceful acts toward the Father.

Jesus seems to be saying that His entire attention and focus was on God’s house and its
proper use. This commotion of buying and selling and money changing produced a great
passion to purify the Temple. Clean house!

This act by the Lord should also be an example to us as Christians and ministry workers to
keep the worship and service pure and right in the eyes of God. Don’t change for the sake of
change but do things God’s way and lift Him up.
Verse 18 - Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that
thou doest these things?

The Jews wanted a sign from Jesus to show His authority for the way He has acted. Anyone
that would do what He had just done should have some authority. The scriptures tell us that
the Jews require signs - 1Cor. 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after
wisdom: The only sign they would receive would be Matt.12:38-40 the sign of the death,
burial, and resurrection.
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
The Jews didn’t seem to object to the cleansing and knew it needed to be done; they were
certainly not willing to do it. They are more taken with Jesus’ right to do it. The religious
rulers were always questioning Jesus’ authority, Luke 20:4-8; John 5:26,27
Verse 19 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Jesus gives them their sign and it was the only sign Jesus ever gave; and that was His death,
burial, and resurrection. Jesus is speaking of the temple of His body.

The Jews are not going to understand what Jesus is referring to as we will see in the next
verse.
Verse 20 - Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up
in three days?

Obviously by the response of the Jews they did not understand what Jesus was referring to.
This statement of destroying the Temple would be used against Jesus at the mock trials that
were done before His crucifixion.

Forty six years building, the temple in which they then were was that which was commonly
called “the second temple,” built after the return of the Jews from Babylon. This was the
temple of Herod the Great and was in a state of building and repair.
Verse 21 -But he spake of the temple of his body.

Why didn’t the Jews understand? They closed their eyes and hardened their hearts to the
truth that Jesus spoke. Simply put they didn’t want to believe Him. Our bodies are temples
and the dwelling place of God the Holy Spirit. Nothing that defiles should be allowed in. Does
God need to clean your house? 1Cor.6:19,20
Verse 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.

At that time that Jesus was crucified, buried and risen did the disciples remember when Jesus
spoke these wonderful words from Vs. 19”… Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up. The light finally went on for the disciples. It takes time for the truth to sink in at times.

This saying of our Saviour at that time seemed obscure and difficult. The disciples did not
understand it, but they treasured it up in their memory, and the event showed what was its
true meaning. Many prophecies are obscure when spoken which are perfectly plain when the
event takes place. We learn from this, also, the importance of treasuring up the truths of the
Bible now, though we may not perfectly understand them. Hereafter they may be plain to us.
It is therefore important that “children,” should learn the truths of the sacred Scriptures.
Treasured up in their memory, they may not be understood “now,” but hereafter they may be
clear to them. Every one engaged in teaching a Sunday school, therefore, may be imparting
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instruction which may be understood, and may impart comfort, long after the teacher has
gone to eternity. (Barnes commentary) Prov.22:6
Verse 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.

These miracles are not particularly recorded. Jesus took opportunities to work miracles, and
to preach at that time, for a great multitude were present from all parts of Judea.

I believe what we are seeing here is nothing but a superficial belief in Christ centered around
miracles not in His word. The following verses also move us to believe this was an intellectual
belief but not to the saving of the soul. James 2:19
Verse 24 - But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

Jesus knows our hearts also! Jesus did not place Himself in their trust so to speak, as He knew
what was really in their hearts. I believe the verse tells us that Jesus knew their insincerity
and did not give Himself to mere profession of faith. Men only see the outward but God sees
the heart.

To ‘commit’ means to put “trust” or “confidence in.” Jesus did not put “trust” or “reliance” in
them. He did not leave himself in their hands.

The reason why he did not commit himself to them is “that he knew all men.” He knew the
“inconstancy” and “fickleness” of the multitude. He knew how easily they might be turned
against him by the Jewish leaders, and how unsafe he would be if they should be moved to
take Him before His time.
Verse 25 - And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Only God Himself can search the heart of men. Jer.17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the
reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

I believe what we are seeing is the fact that Jesus knew that these were false professions and
mere hypocrites as He knew what they really thought and believed.
Notes:
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