John 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-11

Jesus and nature. In recording this incident, the evangelist tells his story with beautiful simplicity, and as if scarcely conscious that it contains what is marvellous and supernatural. It doubtless seemed to him so natural that Jesus should have acted as he did, that he wrote without drawing any especial attention to what in the narrative was evidently miraculous. John had himself seen so many instances of the superhuman authority of his Master, that he could not think of that mighty and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-11

The marriage feast at Cana a pledge of the marriage supper of the Lamb. This first "sign" of our Lord's public ministry may be taken as an emblem and an earnest of a vaster gathering, a more sacred festivity, an eternal fellowship. Observe the elements of heavenly bliss here anticipated upon earth. I. DIVINE ESPOUSALS . Then shall it be proclaimed, "The marriage of the Lamb is come." II. CONGENIAL SOCIETY . The mother and brethren of the Lord, the disciples, the happy pair,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-12

(1) The first sign, the beginning of signs, Mastery over the old creation. Sign of love and power. The description of the preceding narrative, given in John 2:11 , is the true key to it. It is impressive on several accounts. Christ had not yet given any "sign" of the invisible and eternal glory which the evangelist in his prologue had claimed for him. He had not in his own person "manifested" the unique majesty of his will, nor revealed the direction in which the power he wielded would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:3

A large accession of guests in such a humble home might easily be supposed to make a famine in the provisions, and so we read, And when the wine failed £ —either from this cause, or from the poverty of the hosts, whose willingness and welcome were larger than their means, or by reason of an advanced stage in the festival— the mother of Jesus saith to him, They have no wine . £ The simple presence of the Lord and of his mother, of such guests as these. at a wedding feast, is a Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:3

"They have no wine." Just as the scarcity of provisions in the wilderness gave Jesus an opportunity to supply the need of a multitude; just as it was permitted that a man should be born blind, "that the works of God should be manifest in him;" so the falling short of the supply of wine at Cans gave an opportunity for the performance by Christ of a beneficent and instructive miracle. And the lesson is one widely impressive and helpful which is thus conveyed concerning human need and Divine... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 2:3

When they wanted wine - A marriage feast among the Jews was commonly observed for seven or eight days. It is not probable that there would be a want of wine at the marriage itself, and it is possible, therefore, that Jesus came there some time during the marriage feast.They have no wine - It is not known why Mary told this to Jesus. It would seem that she had a belief that he was able to supply it, though he had as yet worked no miracle. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 2:3-4

John 2:3-4. And when they wanted wine It is probable that, in consequence of its being known that Jesus would be present at this feast, a greater resort of company came than was expected, and that this occasioned a failure of the wine. The mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine Some infer from this application which she made to Jesus, that she had either seen some of his miracles in private, or had received from him some hint of his intentions of working one now. For, without... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 2:1-12

19. Marriage feast in Cana (John 2:1-12)At a marriage feast in Cana attended by Jesus and some relatives and friends, the host was embarrassed when he learnt that the supply of wine had run out. Mary told Jesus, apparently thinking he could work a miracle to provide extra wine. In this way he could display his messianic power and so convince people who he was. Jesus reminded her that he could not perform miracles just to please relatives and friends. This was not a time for a public... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 2:3

when , &c. = when wine failed. Quite a serious calamity. wine . Greek. oinos. The only word for wine in the N.T. Septuagint for Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . (Also for Tirash ( App-27 ) in Genesis 27:28 . Judges 9:13 .Joel 1:10; Joel 1:10 ). the mother of Jesus . Never called Mary in this Gospel. She became John's "mother" (John 19:26 , John 19:27 ), unto . Greek. pros. App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 2:3

And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said unto him, They have no wine.All Jewish weddings were celebrated with wine for the guests, and such a failure as is recorded here would have been an occasion of sharp embarrassment to the host. Jesus' mother knew that he had the power to alleviate the shortage and evidently hoped by this remark to enlist his aid in overcoming it. read more

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