The Wedding in Cana, the Temple in Jerusalem
Study No. 5 –
Chapter Two Verses 1 - 11
Third day – After meeting Nathaniel. This is Nathaniel’s home town.
Jesus has just demonstrated the attribute called ‘omniscience’ in the previous chapter at the calling of Nathaniel. Jesus’ mother very likely was there at the time.
Think of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry through the eyes of his mother.
She has pondered in heart several statements made by angels, either to her or to others. She knew her firstborn son was the Messiah. It would thrill her greatly to be witnessing the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
For her, personally it would mean vindication from all of the slurs cast upon her by neighbours, and if not slurs, than the doubts and uncertainties of neighbours and friends who had a hard time believing that Mary had become with child supernaturally. It would seem from the fact that Jesus introduced himself gradually as the Messiah that Mary had not been spreading this around at all.
Mary, Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding. Cana was not Mary’s hometown.
The fact that these guests were invited says something about the bride and groom. If they had wanted to include guests of a coarser sort, they would not have invited Jesus and this company. Mary may have been related to one of the wedding couple. But it appears she may have been travelling with Jesus and they all happen to be here for the wedding.
* At the wedding Mary points out to Jesus that the supply of wine has run out.
o A wedding short of wine. Wine could represent joy.
o Why does Mary tell Jesus about the wine supply problem? Is this any of her business? Has she heard some of the guests talking about this?
o Jesus refers to her as ‘woman’. This is not disrespect on Jesus’ part. This is actually a term of endearment or familiarity, common in the day.
“What does your concern have to do with me?” Jesus question probably could be
turned into a statement, “the concerns of my Father are my focus” or “Did
you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.
* Mary’s statement to the servants. V5
o Indicates what? Faith? Expectation? Hope?
Jesus takes a short trip to Capernaum
* This happens to be Peter’s home town.
* The visit is short because of the Passover date.
First Passover v 12-25
* From Jesus’ baptism to now is about 6 months.
* The fourth Passover that Jesus attends will be his crucifixion
* From his childhood until this date he would not have missed a Passover.
Notes with reference to the temple.
* This is known as Herod’s temple, a renovation of the second temple which was built after the Jews were freed from Babylonian captivity.
* At this Passover the work had been going on for 46 years.
* When Jesus and His disciples came for the last Passover, the disciples were in awe because of the latest of the renovations. Matt. 24:1
Money Changers in the temple
* Sheep, oxen and doves were being sold here
* This is the first of two recorded events of Jesus cleansing the temple.
(Mark 11:15-19)
* Jesus’ visit to the temple could (should) have been anticipated. i.e. Mal 3:1 ¶ "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. Jesus expects us to be aware of such references. i.e Luke 24:13-31. Esp. 25-27
* Jesus refers to the temple as His Father’s house; ___________________
First reference to Jesus death and resurrection
* The Pharisees and ‘the authority’ issue v18.
* Jesus ‘sign’ is a veiled prediction of His death v19.
John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Signs and Wonders
* Jesus perform many non-specified miracles
* Many believe in Him because of miracles.
* Jesus does not put much ‘stock’ in their belief.
John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."
Mt 16:4 "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.
Matthew 7:15-29 esp. 20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Chapter Two Verses 1 - 11
Third day – After meeting Nathaniel. This is Nathaniel’s home town.
Jesus has just demonstrated the attribute called ‘omniscience’ in the previous chapter at the calling of Nathaniel. Jesus’ mother very likely was there at the time.
Think of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry through the eyes of his mother.
She has pondered in heart several statements made by angels, either to her or to others. She knew her firstborn son was the Messiah. It would thrill her greatly to be witnessing the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
For her, personally it would mean vindication from all of the slurs cast upon her by neighbours, and if not slurs, than the doubts and uncertainties of neighbours and friends who had a hard time believing that Mary had become with child supernaturally. It would seem from the fact that Jesus introduced himself gradually as the Messiah that Mary had not been spreading this around at all.
Mary, Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding. Cana was not Mary’s hometown.
The fact that these guests were invited says something about the bride and groom. If they had wanted to include guests of a coarser sort, they would not have invited Jesus and this company. Mary may have been related to one of the wedding couple. But it appears she may have been travelling with Jesus and they all happen to be here for the wedding.
* At the wedding Mary points out to Jesus that the supply of wine has run out.
o A wedding short of wine. Wine could represent joy.
o Why does Mary tell Jesus about the wine supply problem? Is this any of her business? Has she heard some of the guests talking about this?
o Jesus refers to her as ‘woman’. This is not disrespect on Jesus’ part. This is actually a term of endearment or familiarity, common in the day.
“What does your concern have to do with me?” Jesus question probably could be
turned into a statement, “the concerns of my Father are my focus” or “Did
you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.
* Mary’s statement to the servants. V5
o Indicates what? Faith? Expectation? Hope?
Jesus takes a short trip to Capernaum
* This happens to be Peter’s home town.
* The visit is short because of the Passover date.
First Passover v 12-25
* From Jesus’ baptism to now is about 6 months.
* The fourth Passover that Jesus attends will be his crucifixion
* From his childhood until this date he would not have missed a Passover.
Notes with reference to the temple.
* This is known as Herod’s temple, a renovation of the second temple which was built after the Jews were freed from Babylonian captivity.
* At this Passover the work had been going on for 46 years.
* When Jesus and His disciples came for the last Passover, the disciples were in awe because of the latest of the renovations. Matt. 24:1
Money Changers in the temple
* Sheep, oxen and doves were being sold here
* This is the first of two recorded events of Jesus cleansing the temple.
(Mark 11:15-19)
* Jesus’ visit to the temple could (should) have been anticipated. i.e. Mal 3:1 ¶ "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. Jesus expects us to be aware of such references. i.e Luke 24:13-31. Esp. 25-27
* Jesus refers to the temple as His Father’s house; ___________________
First reference to Jesus death and resurrection
* The Pharisees and ‘the authority’ issue v18.
* Jesus ‘sign’ is a veiled prediction of His death v19.
John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Signs and Wonders
* Jesus perform many non-specified miracles
* Many believe in Him because of miracles.
* Jesus does not put much ‘stock’ in their belief.
John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."
Mt 16:4 "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.
Matthew 7:15-29 esp. 20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”