John 2:1-12 - Water to Wine

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman (dear Madam), what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

John 2:1-12

In chapter 2, Jesus demonstrates His God-authority over our basic human needs.

Wedding feasts typically lasted 7 days, and the entire town would be invited in a place as small as Cana. Mary, Jesus and His disciples were all at the wedding. Since Nathanael was from Cana, this may be why they were invited. Apparently Mary had some position of authority at the feast. Mary told Jesus there was a problem because the wine had run out. Culturally, this would have been an error which would haunt the wedding couple their entire lives. Jesus addresses His mother as “Woman” here. This is a term of respect in the culture (John 19:26). Jesus’ reference to the “hour” here refers to the first hour when He told the real reason for which He came (John 12:23). Mary’s response to the servants (“Do whatever He tells you”) revealed her submission to her Son. Even though she did not fully understand, she trusted Him. The water pots would each hold enough for about 2,000 glasses of wine.

Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water and they did. At some point after the pots were filled, Jesus made the water into wine. No hand-waving or magic chants were used. The water simply became wine. Jesus then told the servants to draw some and take it to their headwaiter. The headwaiter did not know where the wine came from but the servants did. The headwaiter was surprised because it was the custom to serve the best wine first and then the poorer wine. But the best wine had been reserved for the end of the feast. Jesus always gives us His best. This was His first miracle. One of the purposes for this sign was so His new disciples would believe in Him. He showed them some of His glory and they responded with belief.

*Over what circumstance in your life has Jesus shown you He is in control?