John 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

NIV: What 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.

NASB: This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

CSB: Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

NLT: This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

KJV: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

NKJV: This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

John describes Jesus' miracles as "signs." He chose that word, of many terms in Greek which he could have used, for a reason. Other Greek words mean things such as "strange event," "power," or "wonder." Instead, John uses sēmeion, which literally means "sign:" that which sends a message. Jesus' miracles are specifically meant to prove that He is the Messiah, and the Son of God. The first of these was turning water into wine at a local wedding (John 2:6–10).

This verse helps us understand why Jesus performed the miracle, and why it was done so quietly. The gift was for the bride and groom, so they would not be embarrassed. The miracle was for the disciples, so they would believe in Him. Jesus will gradually reveal more of His power to the disciples.

Fictional accounts of Jesus' early life sometimes include dramatic, almost random miracles with spectacular effects. But John makes a point of saying that this was the first miracle Jesus had ever performed. The first plague in God's judgment of Egypt was a transformation of water into blood (Exodus 7:20–21). Jesus' first miracle is a transformation of water into wine—symbolic of blood—but for the sake of grace.

John 2:1–12 describes Jesus' first miracle, which is turning water into wine at a wedding. This miracle was discreet and known only to a few people. Changing water meant for purification into wine, symbolic of blood, is a reference to Jesus' role as Messiah. Instead of rituals, we are purified by the miraculous blood of Christ. John specifically uses the Greek word sēmeion, or "sign," for these miracles, since they are meant to prove that Jesus is God. This is the first of seven such signs in the gospel of John.

Jesus attends a wedding where He performs His first miracle: turning water into wine. This symbolizes a transformation of human rituals into divine sacrifice. Few people are even aware that a miracle has occurred. Jesus then drives crooked businessmen out of the temple, scolding them for turning a sacred area into a crass marketplace.

Chapter 2 begins to show Jesus' "signs," or miracles, which will prove that He is the Savior. The miracles will become more spectacular over time, but they start quietly. Contrast is an important part of the gospel of John. The quiet, joyful miracle at the wedding is starkly different from the loud public spectacle of clearing the temple. Jesus' first miracle symbolizes His mission. During the temple clearing, He also predicts His death and resurrection. This sets the stage for Jesus' private discussion with Nicodemus, a respected and influential man.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.