John 2:1-11 · Bible study
John 2:1-11 Commentary: Wedding at Cana's First Sign
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
The wedding at Cana: Jesus' first sign reveals his glory. Explore the Greek, historical context, and why this miracle matters for faith.
Research Summary
- Meaning: This is Jesus' first public sign, revealing his divine glory and eliciting his disciples' faith. The transformation of water into wine at a wedding banquet signals the arrival of the new age of joy and abundance in the gospel.
- Key words: σημεῖον (sign, not just miracle); δόξα (glory, the divine presence manifested); ὥρα (hour, the appointed time of Jesus' passion and glorification).
- Main debate: Whether Jesus' reply to Mary was a mild rebuke for overstepping (Calvin) or a respectful clarification of his divine timetable (Barnes, Gill). Both agree he was not disrespectful.
- Theological theme: Jesus replaces the old order of purification with the new wine of the kingdom; his glory is revealed through transforming human lack into lavish abundance.
- Best use: Epiphany season, wedding sermons, evangelistic messages about Jesus' power to bring joy out of scarcity, and studies on the nature of faith.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”
4“Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
6Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.
8“Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,
9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”
11Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
2Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding.
3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”
4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
6Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
9When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom
10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
KJV King James Version 1769
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9When 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,
10And 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.
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it.
9And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom,
10and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And the third day a marriage happened in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there,
2and also Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage;
3and wine having failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, `Wine they have not;'
4Jesus saith to her, `What--to me and to thee, woman? not yet is mine hour come.'
5His mother saith to the ministrants, `Whatever he may say to you--do.'
6And there were there six water-jugs of stone, placed according to the purifying of the Jews, holding each two or three measures.
7Jesus saith to them, `Fill the water-jugs with water;' and they filled them--unto the brim;
8and he saith to them, `Draw out, now, and bear to the director of the apartment;' and they bare.
9And as the director of the apartment tasted the water become wine, and knew not whence it is, (but the ministrants knew, who have drawn the water,) the director of the feast doth call the bridegroom,
10and saith to him, `Every man, at first, the good wine doth set forth; and when they may have drunk freely, then the inferior; thou didst keep the good wine till now.'
11This beginning of the signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And on the third day a marriage took place in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2And Jesus also, and his disciples, were invited to the marriage.
3And wine being deficient, the mother of Jesus says to him, They have no wine.
4Jesus says to her, What have I to do with thee, woman? mine hour has not yet come.
5His mother says to the servants, Whatever he may say to you, do.
6Now there were standing there six stone water-vessels, according to the purification of the Jews, holding two or three measures each.
7Jesus says to them, Fill the water-vessels with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he says to them, Draw out now, and carry [it] to the feast-master. And they carried [it].
9But when the feast-master had tasted the water which had been made wine (and knew not whence it was, but the servants knew who drew the water), the feast-master calls the bridegroom,
10and says to him, Every man sets on first the good wine, and when [men] have well drunk, then the inferior; thou hast kept the good wine till now.
11This beginning of signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.
2And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.
4And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
6Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece.
7Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it.
9And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom,
10And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 2:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this passage recounts Jesus' first public miracle, which John calls a 'sign' (σημείον, sēmeion), not merely a wonder but a revelation of his divine glory (Vincent). The timing, 'the third day,' is likely the third day after the calling of Philip and Nathanael in John 1:43, 51, marking the first week of Jesus' ministry (Barnes, Cambridge). The setting at a wedding feast, probably of Mary's relatives (Poole), signals that Jesus sanctifies marriage and human celebration (Matthew Henry). The abundance, six stone water jars holding 20, 30 gallons each, demonstrates the lavishness of grace that the gospel brings (Lange). Mary's approach is not rebuffed harshly: Jesus' address 'Woman' (γύναι) was a respectful term (Vincent), but his saying 'What have I to do with thee?' indicates that his mission is not governed by family ties but by the Father's timetable (Calvin). Nevertheless, Mary trusts and tells the servants to obey. The ruler's praise of the wine confirms the quality and reality of the miracle. John concludes that this sign 'revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him', faith produced by beholding divine power.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: This is Jesus' first sign, revealing his glory and leading his disciples to faith; the miracle is a genuine transformation of water into wine, affirming the goodness of creation and marriage.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus' address to Mary | The term 'Woman' (γύναι) was a respectful address in Greek, not harsh or dishonoring (Vincent, Barnes, Gill). | Some see it as a gentle rebuke for interfering in matters that belonged to the Father's timetable (Calvin, Wesley), while others interpret it as a simple statement that his mission is not governed by family ties (Barnes, Gill). |
| Meaning of 'my hour' | John uses 'hour' throughout the gospel to refer to the time of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and glorification (John 7:30, 12:23, 13:1). | At Cana, the hour has not yet come, so the miracle is a foretaste of that glorification, not its full realization. Some argue that Mary's request anticipates the hour; others hold that Jesus simply postpones any public manifestation of his power until the appointed time. |
| Significance of the number six | John records six water jars; some find possible symbolic resonance (e.g., six days of creation, incompleteness before the seventh day). | The Cambridge Bible warns against seeking special meaning in the number six, it may simply be an eyewitness detail. Others, like Lange, see a hint that the old order (six) is replaced by the new wine of the seventh (Sabbath/rest). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The phrase 'the third day' connects this event to the preceding days in John 1, forming a week that may echo the creation week (Cambridge). Jesus and his disciples were invited, likely because the wedding was of Mary's relatives (Poole). Jewish wedding feasts lasted up to a week; running out of wine was a serious social disgrace for the family. The failure of the wine (ὑστερήσαντος οἴνου, 'when the wine failed') sets the stage for divine intervention.
Six stone water jars stood there 'according to the purification of the Jews', for ritual hand-washing before meals (Mark 7:4). Each held two or three μετρητάς (metrētēs), a liquid measure of about nine gallons, so the total was 120, 180 gallons of water that became wine. The choice of stone jars (λαθίνοι) was deliberate: stone did not contract impurity, making them suitable for purification rites. Jesus repurposes vessels of the old purification system to provide new wine, a symbol of the gospel's joy and abundance.
The ruler of the feast (ἀρχιτρίκλινος) was the banquet organizer who tasted and approved food and drink. His comment, 'everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely (μεθυσθῶσιν, literally 'become drunk') then the inferior', is not an endorsement of excess but a description of common practice (Barnes, Vincent). By saving the best wine for last, Jesus reverses expectations and demonstrates that his gift surpasses all that came before.
Textual Notes
For verse 3, some early manuscripts have a longer reading: 'and they had no wine, for the wine of the wedding feast had given out' (Vincent). This clarifies why the wine failed but does not change the meaning. The majority text agrees on the shorter form, and no significant variant affects the core account of the miracle. The supplied sources note no other substantial textual issues.
Reception History
From the early church, the wedding at Cana has been read as a sign of the transformation of the old covenant into the new; the water of Jewish purification becomes the wine of gospel joy. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, the miracle is a central Theophany event, celebrated on the feast of Epiphany as part of Christ's first public manifestation. Latin tradition also marks it in the post-Epiphany readings, emphasizing the revelation of Christ's glory and the sanctification of marriage. During the Reformation, Protestant interpreters focused on the personal response of faith: 'His disciples believed in him' (John 2:11). The abundance of wine has often been cited as a symbol of the lavish grace of God in the gospel, and Mary's intercession is viewed by Catholic and Orthodox believers as a model of her role in bringing the faithful to Christ, while Protestants stress the obedience of the servants as an example of faith in action.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Need Revealed: The wine fails, and Mary brings the problem to Jesus (v.3). Human need becomes the occasion for divine intervention.
- The Provision Given: Jesus transforms water into abundant, high-quality wine, 120 to 180 gallons of the best wine (vv.6, 10). This is not a meager supply but an overflowing gift.
- The Glory Seen: The sign reveals Jesus' identity as the Son of God, and his disciples believe in him (v.11). The miracle points beyond itself to the person of Christ.
Five-point outline
- Jesus attends a wedding: He sanctifies marriage and human celebration (Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 18:22).
- Mary's intercession: She notices the need and brings it to Jesus, a model for prayer and advocacy.
- Jesus' apparent refusal: His words 'My hour has not yet come' teach dependence on God's timing, but Mary's faith reads between the lines (Cambridge).
- The servants' obedience: They fill the jars to the brim and draw out without questioning, their obedience participates in the miracle.
- The master's testimony: The ruler's praise confirms the excellence of God's gifts, surprising everyone with the best at the end.
Illustration hooks
- Planning a wedding and running out of food or drink at the reception, the host's worst fear, and the relief of an unexpected rescue.
- Being asked to help when you feel your time hasn't come, a situation many teenagers or young adults know from family gatherings.
- Receiving a gift that far exceeds expectation, a hand-me-down item that turns out to be valuable, or a small kindness that changes everything.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Jesus seem to dismiss his mother with 'Woman, what have I to do with thee?' Was he disrespecting her?
- What does 'My hour has not yet come' mean? When does his hour finally arrive?
- Is the amount of wine, 120, 180 gallons, a sign of overindulgence, or is there a deeper point about God's generosity?
Leading a Discussion
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. At a wedding feast, he performs his first 'sign', not a mere miracle but a revelation of who he is. The story invites us to see how Jesus transforms ordinary shortages into extraordinary provision, and how that transformation leads to faith.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What details does John include that an eyewitness would remember (see v.6 and v.9)? Why do you think he records those specifics?
- Observation: How does Mary react to Jesus' statement 'My hour has not yet come'? What does she tell the servants?
- Interpretation: The water jars were for Jewish purification rites. What might it mean that Jesus turns purification water into wine?
- Interpretation: The ruler of the feast says the best wine was saved for last. What does this say about Jesus' gifts compared to the world's ways?
- Interpretation: John calls this a 'sign' (sēmeion) rather than a 'miracle.' How does that word shape our understanding of the event?
- Application: Have you ever brought a problem to Jesus and felt he said 'not yet'? How do you respond when his timing doesn't match your expectation?
- Application: The servants obeyed even when the commands seemed pointless. In what areas of life do you need to obey Jesus before you see the outcome?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 1:27 | God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. |
| Genesis 1:28 | God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” |
| Genesis 2:18 | Yahweh God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.” |
| Genesis 2:25 | The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed. |
| Joshua 19:28 | and Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, even to great Sidon. |
| Psalms 128:1 | A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. |
| Psalms 128:4 | Behold, this is how the man who fears Yahweh is blessed. |
| Proverbs 18:22 | Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
2 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Jesus could have performed miracles throughout his earlier life but deliberately withheld them until he began preaching. Miracles are meant as sacred confirmations of his doctrine, not as casual displays of power. This first miracle therefore marks the official start of his public ministry.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees Jesus' reply to Mary as a gentle but clear reproof of her inordinate concern. He argues that if Jesus rebuked his mother for presuming to direct him during his earthly ministry, it is absurd to address her as if she holds authority over him now. He also notes