Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 2:1-11

We have here the story of Christ's miraculous conversion of water into wine at a marriage in Cana of Galilee. There were some few so well disposed as to believe in Christ, and to follow him, when he did no miracle; yet it was not likely that many should be wrought upon till he had something wherewith to answer those that asked, What sign showest thou? He could have wrought miracles before, could have made them the common actions of his life and the common entertainments of his friends; but,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 2:1-11

2:1-11 Two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee; and Jesus' mother was there. And Jesus was invited to the wedding and so were his disciples. When the wine had run short, Jesus' mother said to him: "They have no wine." Jesus said to her: "Lady, let me handle this in my own way. My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants: "Do whatever he tens you to do." There were six stone waterpots standing there--they were needed for the Jewish purifying customs--and each... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 2:1-11

We note three general things about this wonderful deed which Jesus did. (i) We note when it happened. It happened at a wedding feast. Jesus was perfectly at home at such an occasion. He was no severe, austere killjoy. He loved to share in the happy rejoicing of a wedding feast. There are certain religious people who shed a gloom wherever they go. They are suspicious of all joy and happiness. To them religion is a thing of black clothes, the lowered voice, the expulsion of social... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 2:1-11

Now we must think of the deep and permanent truth which John is seeking to teach when he tells this story. We must remember that John was writing out of a double background. He was a Jew and he was writing for Jews; but his great object was to write the story of Jesus in such a way that it would come home also to the Greeks. Let us look at it first of all from the Jewish point of view. We must always remember that beneath John's simple stories there is a deeper meaning which is open only... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:6

And there were set six water pots of stone ,.... To distinguish them from other vessels made of different matter: for the Jews had "vessels made of dust, and the dung of beasts, כלי אבנים , "vessels of stone", vessels of earth, vessels made of shells, vessels of nitre, vessels made of the bones and skins of fishes F20 Misn. Celim, c. 10. sect. 1. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. .' And as these vessels were very likely for washing of hands, such were used for that purpose:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:7

Jesus saith unto them ,.... To the servants that waited at the feast, fill the water pots with water . The Ethiopic version adds, "to their brims", as they did. Christ chose the water pots, and not the vessel, or vessels, or bottles, now empty, out of which they had drank their wine; that it might not be said that there was any left therein, which gave colour and flavour to the water: and he ordered them to be filled with water by the servants, that they might take notice, and be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:8

And he saith unto them, draw out now ,.... As soon as ever the vessels were filled with water, without any more delay, he ordered the servants to draw out of those larger, into lesser vessels; he does not say what, water or wine: and bear unto the governor of the feast ; who either had the ordering and management of the feast, and the command of the whole affair; hence the Ethiopic version calls him, "the master of the waiters", or servants: or he was the chief guest, as the word seems... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:9

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water ,.... The Persic version reads, "tasted of the wine", and adds, what is not in the text, "it was of a very grateful savour": but the sense is, he tasted of that which was before water, but now was made wine ; not in such sense as the Papists pretend that the bread and wine, in the Lord's supper, are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ, by the consecration of the priest; after which they appear to have the same properties of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:10

And saith unto him ,.... The following words; expressing the common custom used at feasts: every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine ; that is, it is usual with men, when they make entertainments, first to give the guests the best, the most generous, and strongest bodied wine; as being most suitable for them, and they being then better able to bear it, and it being most for the credit of the maker of the feast: and when men have well drank ; not to excess, but freely, so as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:6

After the manner of the purifying of the Jews - Or, for the purpose of the purifying of the Jews. The preposition κατα , which I have translated, for the purpose, often denotes in the best Greek writers the final cause of a thing. See several examples produced by Raphelius, from Arrian and Herodotus. These six vessels were set in a convenient place, for the purpose of the Jews washing their hands before they sat down to meat, and probably for other purposes of purification. See this custom... read more

Group of Brands