John 2

(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.

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Study Questions

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1. Why do you think John never calls the mother of Jesus by name? Verse 1.

2. Would it have been possible for Jesus and his disciples to walk the approximately 70 miles to Cana in two and part of three days? Verse 2.

3. Why would we think Mary expected a miracle from Jesus? Verse 3.

4. Although Jesus loved and respected his mother, what was always his attitude toward his family members? Verse 4. (See Mark 3:21 and Mark 3:31-35)

5. What was Mary’s attitude toward what Jesus said to her? Verse 5.

6. What was the purpose of the water pots at the marriage feast? Verse 6.

7. Approximately how many gallons of water did each of the pots hold? Verse 7.

8. Who was the governor of the feast and what was his duty? Verse 8.

9. What was the miracle Jesus performed? Doesn’t the moisture of the earth produce the juice of the grape naturally? Verse 9.

10. Does the word “wine” necessarily mean intoxicating wine? Verse 10. (See Isaiah 65:8)

11. Do you think this verse might indicate one reason Jesus took his disciples to Cana? Verse 11.

12. What possibly could be indicated by the fact that Mary’s husband is not mentioned? Verse 12.

13. What was the Passover? Verse 13.

14. How was worship at the temple an opportunity for the authorities to get rich? Verse 14.

15. How did Jesus make it impossible for the money-changers to continue their practices easily? Verse 15.

16. What two commands did Jesus thunder at the money-changers? Verse 16.

17. What Messianic prophecy did the disciples call to mind and apply to Jesus’ conduct? Verse 17.

18. Why did the Jews ask Jesus for a sign? Verse 18.

19. What event did Jesus refer to that would be the only sign given to the Jews? Verse 19.

20. What was the misunderstanding of the Jews about Jesus’ answer? Verse 20.

21. What “temple” did Jesus raise up in three days? Verse 21.

22. Why was it only after Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples believed Jesus’ words? Verse 22.

23. Did Jesus perform miracles that are not recorded? Verse 23.

24. What ability of Jesus made him unwilling to put confidence in the shallow faith of the people? Verses 24-25.