John 2:3-5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:3

Verse 3 3.The mother of Jesus saith to him. It may be doubted if she expected or asked any thing from her Son, since he had not yet performed any miracle; and it is possible that, without expecting any remedy of this sort, she advised him to give some pious exhortations which would have the effect of preventing the guests from feeling uneasiness, and at the same time of relieving the shame of the bridegroom. I consider her words to be expressive of ( συμπαθεία) earnest compassion; for the holy... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:4

Verse 4 4.Woman, what have I to do with thee? Why does Christ repel her so rashly? I reply, though she was not moved by ambition, nor by any carnal affection, still she did wrong in going beyond her proper bounds. Her anxiety about the inconvenience endured by others, and her desire to have it in some way mitigated, proceeded from humanity, and ought to be regarded as a virtue; but still, by putting herself forward, she might obscure the glory of Christ. Though it ought also to be observed,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:5

Verse 5 5.His mother saith to the servants. Here the holy Virgin gives an instance of true obedience which she owed to her Son, (47) when the question related, not to the relative duties of mankind, but to his divine power. She modestly acquiesces, therefore, in Christ’s reply; and in like manner exhorts others to comply with his injunctions. I acknowledge, indeed, that what the Virgin now said related to the present occurrence, and amounted to a declaration that, in this instance, she had no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-11

The first miracle. It took place on "the third day;" that is, the third day from the place—fifty miles away—where Nathanael had met Jesus. The Lord had then displayed his omniscience, and he now displays his omnipotence. I. THE SCENE OF THE MIRACLE . "Cana of Galilee." 1 . This was a small village, about three hours ' journey from Nazareth, rather insignificant in its history, for it is not named in the Old Testament nor in Josephus. 2 . The miracle occurred, not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-11

Jesus and social life. Public men are sometimes anxious with regard to a first appearance, that it should be upon a scene, in society, and with accompaniments worthy of themselves or of their own conceptions of themselves. Jesus proved his superiority to human vanity and weakness in performing his first "sign" in a lowly home at a villager's wedding. His conduct in this was just like himself. I. THE LORD JESUS WAS OPPOSED TO ASCETICISM . Religion and asceticism are often... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 2:1-11

Jesus and the marriage state. Of the services which our Lord Christ has rendered to human society, none is more conspicuous and undeniable than the honour which he has put upon marriage. Of all institutions and relations existing among men, there is none which has met with so much slander, hate, and scorn, as matrimony. The sinful and the selfish, not content with avoiding marriage themselves, overwhelm those who honour and enter upon wedded life with ridicule and contempt. This is not to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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