21 And on the third day a marriage took place in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus also, and his disciples, were invited to the marriage. 3 And wine being deficient, the mother of Jesus says to him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus says to her, What have I to do with thee, woman? mine hour has not yet come. 5 His mother says to the servants, Whatever he may say to you, do. 6 Now there were standing there six stone water-vessels, according to the purification of the Jews, holding two or three measures each. 7 Jesus says to them, Fill the water-vessels with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he says to them, Draw out now, and carry [it] to the feast-master. And they carried [it]. 9 But when the feast-master had tasted the water which had been made wine (and knew not whence it was, but the servants knew who drew the water), the feast-master calls the bridegroom, 10 and says to him, Every man sets on first the good wine, and when [men] have well drunk, then the inferior; thou hast kept the good wine till now. 11 This beginning of signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12 After this he descended to Capernaum, he and his mother and his brethren and his disciples; and there they abode not many days.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 2:1-12
Commentary on John 2:1-11
(Read John 2:1-11)
It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our addresses to Christ, we must humbly spread our case before him, and then refer ourselves to him to do as he pleases. In Christ's reply to his mother there was no disrespect. He used the same word when speaking to her with affection from the cross; yet it is a standing testimony against the idolatry of after-ages, in giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objected against. The beginning of Moses' miracles was turning water into blood, Luke 21:34. Though we need not scruple to feast with our friends on proper occasions, yet every social interview should be so conducted, that we might invite the Redeemer to join with us, if he were now on earth; and all levity, luxury, and excess offend him.
Commentary on John 2:12-22
(Read John 2:12-22)
The first public work in which we find Christ engaged, was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a house of merchandise, whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business when attending religious exercises, or who perform Divine offices for love of gain. Christ, having thus cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it, to prove his authority for so doing. He foretells his death by the Jews' malice, Destroy ye this temple; I will permit you to destroy it. He foretells his resurrection by his own power; In three days I will raise it up. Christ took again his own life. Men mistake by understanding that according to the letter, which the Scripture speaks by way of figure. When Jesus was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered he has said this. It helps much in understanding the Divine word, to observe the fulfilling of the Scriptures.