John 2 - The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

2:1–2 Jesus’ participation in a wedding feast implies His approval of marriage as a divine ordinance (Gen. 2:18–25; 1 Tim. 4:3–4).

2:3 wanted. Lacked.

2:4 Woman, what have I to do with thee? A gentle rebuke, implying no disrespect. mine hour. Christ knew that His mission was eternally ordained and that a time had been set for all of His works (4:21,23; 5:25; 7:6,8), especially His death (7:30; 8:20; 12:23,27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1).

2:5 Whatsoever he saith . . . do it. Mary’s advice is good for us all.

2:6 waterpots. Stone pots were used for Mosaic ceremonial cleansing. manner. Custom. two or three firkins apiece. Each pot held twenty or thirty gallons.

2:7 filled . . . to the brim. John emphasizes the large quantity of water.

2:8–9 governor . . . ruler of the feast. The chief steward of the wedding arrangements.

2:10 at the beginning . . . good wine. The taste of the wine was noticeably better than that served earlier, which was against custom, drawing attention to its high quality.

2:11 beginning of miracles. The first of the seven signs worked by Christ that this gospel reports (4:46–54; 5:1–9; 6:1–14,15–21; 9:1–7; 11:1–46), though it acknowledges that there were many others (v. 23; 20:30). One may study Christ’s thirty-seven recorded miracles under these headings: (1) of nature, (2) of healing, (3) of exorcism, and (4) of raising from the dead. manifested forth. Showed, made visible. his glory. Only the Creator has the power to turn one chemical substance into another by His mere will. believed on him. See 20:31.

2:13 passover. Held annually in the month of March or April. Every male Jew of the age of twelve or over was expected to be at this important feast, which commemorated the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The feast lasted seven days.

2:15–16 Christ cleansed the Temple at Jerusalem on two occasions, here at the beginning of His three-year ministry and later at the close of it (see Matt. 21). scourge. Whip.

2:16 Jesus was deeply displeased to witness a scene in His Father’s house, which by this point more resembled a market (house of merchandise) than a place of worship.

2:17 Christ’s disciplinary actions arise from His holy zeal for God and for God’s pure worship (Ps. 69:9).

2:18 Rather than repenting of worldliness, the temple authorities sinfully challenged Jesus’ action.

2:20–22 Forty and six years. Herod the Great had begun restoring the temple years earlier. rear. Raise. The physical building was but a shadow of the temple of his body, for God’s glory was there dwelling among them as a man (1:14). three days. The duration of Christ’s death, including Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning.

2:23–25 Many people were impressed by Christ’s powerful works, but their faith was not the fruit of a change of heart. believed . . . when they saw the miracles. While miracles are signs to confirm faith in Christ (v. 11), sinners tend to see them as a sign of the power to fulfill their earthly desires (6:14–15), so Jesus rebuked those seeking signs (4:48; 6:30). he knew all men. Christ was not deceived by their attention. He read more than their outward professions of faith; He read their hearts (Jer. 17:10).

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship: Chapter 2

1. Miracles performed by Christ are evidences or signs to show us that He is God. The faith of the disciples was strengthened by this first miracle, for it showed that Christ has the power of the Creator over His creation (1:3). The miracle of turning water into wine also suggests the manner in which Christ replaced the rituals of external religion (for which the water pots were used, v. 6) with abundant joy and life. Trusting in Christ means going beyond the outward form of religion and experiencing a new creation within by His power.
2. Carnal men invariably spoil the worship of God in one way or another. Worship must be regulated by God’s holy Word. It is a sin to corrupt the public worship of God’s house either by commerce or by entertainment. Worship must be reverent. Christ also shows here that discipline is essential to a faithful church. If Christ could cleanse the temple even in His state of humiliation on earth, how much more could He discipline His church as its exalted and glorious Lord? Why should this cause us to conduct worship with holy fear? How can we follow the Lord in His zeal for the purity of God’s worship?