John 2:1

The third day evidently refers to the third day after the day Nathanael (Theodore, "the gift of God") met Jesus. John’s references to succeeding days (John 1:29; John 1:35; John 1:43; John 2:1) at least reflect his precise knowledge of these events. Perhaps this is also a symbolic reference to God’s actions coming to a culmination with this miracle (cf. the Resurrection on the third day). Jesus fulfilled his promise to Nathanael (John 1:50-51) very quickly.

John’s specific reference to days in chapter 1 and here is unusual for him. On the first day, John the Baptist gave his veiled witness to Jesus (John 1:19-28). The second day he gave his open witness to Jesus (John 1:29-34). The third day John’s two disciples followed Jesus (John 1:35-42). The fourth day Philip and Nathanael met Jesus (John 1:43-51). On the third day after that, the seventh day, Jesus did His miracle at Cana. Customarily, the wedding of a maiden took place on a Wednesday, and that of a widow on Thursday. [Note: Edersheim, 1:345.] The Jews regarded periods of seven days as reflecting God’s creative activity. Perhaps John wanted his readers to associate this beginning of Jesus’ ministry with the beginning of the cosmos (Genesis 1) that also happened in seven days. If so, this would be another witness to Jesus’ deity.

Cana was about nine miles north of Nazareth in Galilee. [Note: See the map "Palestine in the Time of Jesus" at the end of these notes.] John never mentioned Mary the mother of Jesus by name, perhaps to avoid confusing her with other Marys in his story. [Note: See James M. Howard, "The Significance of Minor Characters in the Gospel of John," Bibliotheca Sacra 163:649 (January-March 2006):65-69.]