Exploring Jesus' First Miracle in Cana of Galilee

Gospel Pericope

Part 1: Structural items

This paper examines Jesus’ first miracle in John 2:1-11. Verses 1-2 sets the stage. Here the Scriptures identify a marriage taking place in a village called Cana of Galilee. It should be noted that the mother of Jesus was there, and that Jesus and His disciples were “called to the marriage.”

The need element was introduced to Jesus by His mother in verse 3. “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, ‘They have no wine’”. This was a request for Him to do something about the need element.

Verses 7 and 8 announce that a miracle has taken place at time only the servants knew.

Verses 9 and 10 confirms the miracle, and the bridegroom may had been just informed that he had “kept the good wine until now.”

Verse 11 gives the narrator’s concluding comment states that three things have happened: This beginning of miracles manifested His glory and His disciples believed on Him.

Part 2

A miracle is an occurrence that neither science nor nature can explain under normal circumstances. A supernatural experience on a natural object that can only be the result of God’s intervention. The six water pots were used for purification purposes. The word six in Scripture frequently involves work. The fact that they were stone is also interesting due to the fact that in Acts 4:11 Peter said, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” The water becoming wine is significant in the fact that Jesus uses “the fruit of the vine,” to symbolize His blood on The Last Supper (Luke 22:14). Therefore, the purpose of purification involving the ‘six water pots’ was to initiate the Work of Christ; to wash everyone in the purifying water of Jesus; and, to allow His blood (wine) the opportunity to deliver, free and remove them from the sinfulness of their ways.

Part 3

The people attending the wedding may have thought of this miracle as a convenience to the bridegroom. It is very likely that they knew a miracle had happened to make the appearance of wine, and, that they knew it came from the six water pots which is usually for the purpose of purification and full of water. However, only His followers actually believed on Him. The difference between how the readers of the Gospel of John and the wedding party would see this miracle includes the modern day readers have a whole Bible full of supporting Scriptures to digest what the water to wine means and the people attending the wedding can only infer something happening that they do not really understand, but, can still enjoy the wine.

The situation during the water to wine miracle includes the culture at the time.

It maybe that Jesus’ mother, at least, had neighborly ties and possibly familial ties to either the bridegroom or the bride, simply because they were in Cana of Galilee and that village is both small and not likely too far from her home. Also they were not very wealthy.

At this point Jesus was just beginning His ministry as this was the first miracle

He performed. According to John Calvin, “The meaning is, that this was the first of Christ’s miracles; for when the angels announced to the shepherds that he was born in Bethlehem, (Luke 2:8), when the star appeared to the Magi, (Matthew 2:2), when the Holy Spirit descended on him in the shape of a dove, (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32), though these were miracles, yet, strictly speaking, they were not performed by him.” (Calvin n.d.)

The ruler of the wedding maybe viewed as a modern day wedding planner. Typically people invited as many as their family and neighbors, without regard to how much such would cost, perhaps the whole village.

1. The dialogue was between Jesus and His mother.
2. Water pots were for purification, wine was symbolic of His blood.
3. It could be stated that the wine was short just for Jesus to get started on the work of His ministry and that is indicative of there being six water pots.

There was a three-fold purpose of Jesus performing this miracle: To solve a difficult problem for Mary; to increase the faith of His disciples; and to display His glory (John 2:11). (Willmington 2011)

It is important to note that Mary informed Jesus of the situation and instructed the servants to do whatever He says, never actually requesting wine. So she and the guests were grateful.

By this sign the Lord declares He is the Messiah of Israel who is capable of bringing the predicted kingdom into its glorious existence.

Not only was this a gross social error; it was also a picture of the obsolescence of Judaism. The old wine had run out and Chris the Messiah was here to bring the new. (Toussaint 1977) And this is for the people there and the modern world as well.

This is fitting in that the Old Testament agrees that Jesus is the Messiah.

According to Dr. Willmington, “Jesus used water pots to accomplish His first miracle. He desires to do the same today, but now he uses living, earthly vessels. If we allow Him, He fills us with the water of God’s Word; and when we pour ourselves out, our service becomes the wine of the Spirit. (Willmington 2011)3”

The water into wine may be similar to the water and blood coming out of Jesus’ side.

As far as the body of Christ is concerned it is important to note that His first miracle happened at a wedding, and husbands are similar to Jesus as the wife is symbolic of the church (Eph. 5:21).

I have to allow the correction of the Holy Ghost to change this vessel from water into wine. As Dr. Willmington stated, I need to serve the Lord with my whole heart and my service becomes the wine of the Spirit.

Hebrews 2

Reflection Questions

If people turned their back on Jesus and ignored all that he has done to save them they would suffer a measure of punishment. The Bible isn’t clear what these consequences would be only that Law the angles and prophets gave and preached were to experience payment of a variety of levels (murder and adultery resulted in death), whatever the sin’s penalty was had its own set of payments.

In Heb. 1:3 – 4 Jesus is identified as the brightness of His glory, the image of His person and a little further down in the fourth verse He’s made so much better than the angels and obtained a more excellent name.

The power the devil had was over death, however, that power the devil had was destroyed by Jesus when he was crucified on Calvary taking part in death he removed the power of death from the devil in Heb. 2:14.

According to Heb. 2:18, the author says, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” In the previous verse He is able to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.