Wesley's Notes on the Bible And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2:1 And the third day - After he had said this. In Cana of Galilee - There were two other towns of the same name, one in the tribe of Ephraim, the other in Caelosyria.
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 2:2 Jesus and his disciples were invited to the marriage - Christ does not take away human society, but sanctifies it. Water might have quenched thirst; yet our Lord allows wine; especially at a festival solemnity. Such was his facility in drawing his disciples at first, who were afterward to go through rougher ways.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 2:3 And wine falling short - How many days the solemnity had lasted, and on which day our Lord came, or how many disciples might follow him, does not appear. His mother saith to him, They have not wine - Either she might mean, supply them by miracle; or, Go away, that others may go also, before the want appears.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 2:4 Jesus saith to her, Woman - So our Lord speaks also, John 19:26. It is probable this was the constant appellation which he used to her. He regarded his Father above all, not knowing even his mother after the flesh. What is it to me and thee? A mild reproof of her inordinate concern and untimely interposal. Mine hour is not yet come - The time of my working this miracle, or of my going away. May we not learn hence, if his mother was rebuked for attempting to direct him in the days of his flesh, how absurd it is to address her as if she had a right to command him, on the throne of his glory? Likewise how indecent it is for us to direct his supreme wisdom, as to the time or manner in which he shall appear for us in any of the exigencies of life!
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 2:5 His mother saith to the servants - Gathering from his answer he was about to do something extraordinary.
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 2:6 The purifying of the Jews - Who purified themselves by frequent washings particularly before eating.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 2:9 The governor of the feast - The bridegroom generally procured some friend to order all things at the entertainment.
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 2:10 And saith - St. John barely relates the words he spoke, which does not imply his approving them. When they have well drunk - does not mean any more than toward the close of the entertainment.
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. 2:11 And his disciples believed - More steadfastly.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 2:14 Oxen, and sheep, and doves - Used for sacrifice: And the changers of money - Those who changed foreign money for that which was current at Jerusalem, for the convenience of them that came from distant countries.
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 2:15 Having made a scourge of rushes - (Which were strewed on the ground,) he drove all out of the temple, (that is, the court of it,) both the sheep and the oxen - Though it does not appear that he struck even them; and much less, any of the men. But a terror from God, it is evident, fell upon them.
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 2:17 Psa 69:9.
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 2:18 Then answered the Jews - Either some of those whom he had just driven out, or their friends: What sign showest thou? - So they require a miracle, to confirm a miracle!
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 2:19 This temple - Doubtless pointing, while he spoke, to his body, the temple and habitation of the Godhead.
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 2:20 Forty and six years - Just so many years before the time of this conversation, Herod the Great had begun his most magnificent reparation of the temple, (one part after another,) which he continued all his life, and which was now going on, and was continued thirty - six years longer, till within six or seven years of the destruction of the state, city, and temple by the Romans.
But he spake of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. 2:22 They believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said - Concerning his resurrection.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 2:23 Many believed - That he was a teacher sent from God.
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 2:24 He did not trust himself to them - Let us learn hence not rashly to put ourselves into the power of others. Let us study a wise and happy medium between universal suspiciousness and that easiness which would make us the property of every pretender to kindness and respect.
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. 2:25 He - To whom all things are naked, knew what was in man - Namely, a desperately deceitful heart. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
    |