John 2:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

NIV: Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.

NASB: Now 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.

CSB: While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

NLT: Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

Jesus would come to Jerusalem at least three times a year, as required for all Jewish males living in the area (Deuteronomy 16:16). The first of these required festivals was Passover, also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The second was Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks. The third was Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths.

After His resurrection, the disciples recognized Jesus' earlier prediction (John 2:19, 22). This was further proof of His message (Mark 10:34). In the same way, people in Jerusalem are beginning to see the evidence pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. In the gospel of John, there are seven specific "signs," or miracles, used to demonstrate that Jesus is God. Unfortunately, most would reject what they saw in Jesus.

A person's "name" is symbolic of their authority and power. This is why we use signatures—our names—for certifying important documents. Persons often follow through on orders "in the name of" a higher official. However, many of the people who "believed in [Jesus'] name" at this point of His ministry were only interested in the miracles, not the message (John 2:24). There is a colossal difference between knowing something is true and putting trust in what you know. Many who followed Jesus early on were looking for entertainment but weren't committed to His message. When His message becomes difficult, these shallow thrill-seekers will fall away (John 6:60–66).

John 2:13–23 describes Jesus driving corrupt businessmen from the temple. His wrath is not because of selling sacrifices, itself, but rather the greedy focus on money with no regard to serving God. Jesus is never depicted as out of control, but His anger is clear. It's likely that this is an early temple cleansing, and the other gospels record a second, separate incident. Jesus' right to act this way is challenged by the authorities. In typical Hebrew style, they demand a miraculous sign. Jesus instead predicts His own death and resurrection. This passage contrasts with the quiet, joyous miracle at the wedding.

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.