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John chapter 2

English Standard Version

1On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. 9When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; do not make my Father 's house a house of trade." 17His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me."
18So the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" 19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" 21But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
New International Version

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 was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out 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 realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!" 17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
18The Jews then responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"
19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
20They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
New American Standard Bible

1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, 'They have no wine.' 4And Jesus *said to her, 'What business do you have with Me, woman? My hour has not yet come.' 5His mother *said to the servants, 'Whatever He tells you, do it.' 6Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. 7Jesus *said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' So they filled them up to the brim. 8And He *said to them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.' And they took it to him. 9Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the groom, 10and *said to him, 'Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but 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.
12After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16and to those who were selling the doves He said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!' 17His disciples remembered that it was written: 'ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.' 18The Jews then said to Him, 'What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?' 19Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' 20The Jews then said, 'It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?' 21But He was speaking about the temple of His body. 22So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they observed His signs which He was doing. 24But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people, 25and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind.
Christian Standard Bible

1On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, and 2Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told him, "They don’t have any wine."
4"What does that have to do with you and me, woman?" Jesus asked. "My hour has not yet come."
5"Do whatever he tells you," his mother told the servants.
6Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons.
7"Fill the jars with water," Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8Then he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter." And they did.
9When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10and told him, "Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now."
11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
12After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.
13The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16He told those who were selling doves, "Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!"
17And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.
18So the Jews replied to him, "What sign will you show us for doing these things?"
19Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days."
20Therefore the Jews said, "This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?"
21But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.
23While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.
New Living Translation

1The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, 'They have no more wine.'
4Dear woman, that’s not our problem,' Jesus replied. 'My time has not yet come.'
5But his mother told the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'
6Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus told the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' When the jars had been filled, 8he said, 'Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.' So the servants followed his instructions.
9When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10A host always serves the best wine first,' he said. 'Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!'
11This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
13It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, 'Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!'
17Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: 'Passion for God’s house will consume me.'
18But the Jewish leaders demanded, 'What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.'
19All right,' Jesus replied. 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'
20What!' they exclaimed. 'It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?' 21But when Jesus said 'this temple,' he meant his own body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
23Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. 25No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
King James Version

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.
12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15And 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; 16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. 17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21But he spake of the temple of his body. 22When 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.
23Now 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. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
New King James Version

1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
12After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
13Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

What does John chapter 2 mean?

John chapter 1 introduced Jesus as "the Word" and "the Light," truly and fully God (John 1:1–5). That passage also recorded conversations between John the Baptist and religious skeptics. Near the end of the chapter, Jesus begins to call His earliest disciples.

The second chapter of John covers two events. The first is the miracle of turning water into wine. The second is Jesus' driving the moneylenders out of the temple complex. Contrast is a common theme used in the gospel of John. The two stories in this chapter are vastly different. One is joyful and quiet. The other is scolding and very public.

The miracle at the wedding is the first of seven "signs" that John uses to prove that Jesus is God. Wedding celebrations in that era were spread out over several days. Unlike today, when travel and communication are easy, it was difficult to predict when guests would show up. Traveling to the wedding site could take days. So, it was the host's responsibility to provide enough food and drink for all the guests who came. In what would have been a humiliating mistake, the wedding which Jesus attends has run out of wine. Jesus' mother, Mary, approaches Him with this problem, but doesn't give Jesus any instructions (John 2:1–3).

Jesus responds with a question much like saying, "why are you involving me in this?" Mary, for her part, simply tells the nearby servants to follow Jesus' instructions. When they do so, six large stone jars of water have been transformed into wine. And not just any wine: the master of ceremonies indicates that it's better than what they had before (John 2:4–11).

Turning water into wine wasn't just a gift from Jesus to the married couple. It was to save them from extreme embarrassment. It was also done in a quiet, almost secretive way. As far as we know, no one except a few of the disciples, Jesus' mother Mary, and the servants even knew it happened. John's gospel is the only one which records this miracle.

Changing water into wine is also a powerful symbol of Jesus' purpose. The six water jugs were used for purification from sin. Six is the biblical number of man, and of imperfection. Wine is symbolic of blood. The miracle's meaning was as much about Jesus replacing ritual purification with divine blood as anything else. His participation in a simple, joyful event also explains His compassion for people. This didn't stop His enemies from criticizing Him, however (Luke 15:1–2).

John's gospel is meant to approach Jesus' ministry from a different perspective than the other three gospels. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke all mention Jesus clearing the temple late in His ministry, John places this event early. The most likely reason for this is that Jesus cleared the temple on two separate occasions. This would have made the second event even more offensive to the local religious leaders and accelerated their hatred of Jesus.

Jesus' anger at the situation was not because of money, itself. Pilgrims could not easily travel with sacrificial animals. So, it made sense to provide sacrifices for them to buy near the temple. What bothered Jesus was the way in which business was being done. Instead of providing a service to pilgrims, the merchants were gouging people to make a profit. The emphasis on making money, instead of serving others, was unacceptable. Though He is not described as being enraged, or out of control, it's easy to see how forceful Jesus was in this situation (John 2:12–17).

This is also one of Jesus' first opportunities to predict His own death and resurrection. Most who heard Him claim to be able to rebuild the temple in three days assumed He was speaking of the brick-and-stone temple. After His resurrection, the disciples will realize that Christ was speaking about His own body: destroyed and restored after three days (John 2:18–22).
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