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). These festivals were Passover (Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (Weeks), and Tabernacles (Booths).

After His resurrection, the disciples recognized Jesus' prediction from verse 19. This was further proof of His message. In the same way, people in Jerusalem are beginning to see the evidence which points 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" was symbolic of their authority and power, which is why we use signatures—our names—for certifying important documents. However, many of the people who "believed in His name," were only interested in the miracles, not the message, as verse 24 explains. There is a huge difference between knowing something is true, and putting trust in what you know. Many who followed Jesus at this point are interested in entertainment, but they aren't committed to His message.

John 2:13–23 describes Jesus driving corrupt businessmen from the temple. Selling sacrifices to travelers was not a problem. The sin was in gouging the people, focusing on money, rather than 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 cleansing. Jesus’ authority is challenged by the authorities. In typical Hebrew style, they demand a miraculous sign. Jesus instead predicts His own death and resurrection. This passage is in contrast to the quiet, joyous miracle at the wedding.

Jesus attends a wedding where He performs His first miracle: turning water into wine. This is symbolic of His 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 place into a market place.

Chapter 2 begins to show Jesus’ “signs,” or miracles, which will prove that He is the Savior. The miracles will grow more and more spectacular, but they start quietly. Contrast is an important part of the gospel of John. The quiet, joyful miracle at the wedding is very 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.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 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”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.