John | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

JOHN 2

JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE + FLIPS TABLES AT THE TEMPLE

Along with His mother and disciples, Jesus attends a wedding in Galilee. During the celebration, the wine runs out. Mary, knowing what Jesus was capable of, encourages Jesus to fix the problem of the wine. Until this point, Jesus has been private about performing miracles. Being cautious of God’s timing for Jesus’ ministry, He tells Mary that the time has not yet come. Mary persists and tells the servants to follow whatever Jesus tells them.

Jesus requests that the six large jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons, be filled with water. When the water is drawn out of the jars, it is miraculously turned into fine wine. Typically, the best wine was served first, but in this case, the best wine was served last. This is the first public sign of Jesus as God in person. The disciples marvel at His glory and believe that He is the Son of God.

The symbolism of this event is not lost on the Israelite people. Isaiah foretold that Jesus would make for all people a rich feast and well-aged wine (Isaiah 25:6). The first miracle of Moses was turning water into blood (Exodus 7), and now Jesus is turning water into wine! Moses offered a new law, but Jesus offers a new life.

Later on, Jesus travels to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival. He sees people selling animals for sacrifice inside the temple groups, profiting off of the travelers coming to give generously to God. Righteously angry that God’s temple is being used for trade, Jesus makes a whip and drives the people out of the temple, flipping over the tables of the sellers and pouring out their coins. It is not implied that Jesus is promoting violence or hurting anyone with the whip, but simply causing a stir and bringing an end to the selling of animal sacrifices.

Jesus, comparing Himself to the temple, says that if it is destroyed, He will raise it again three days later. The actions of Jesus remind the disciples of Psalm 69:6 which says, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Jesus’ comparing Himself to the temple stakes His claim that He is a place where God dwells on Earth.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Before turning water into wine, what did Jesus tell His mother? What did this mean for Jesus’ ministry? How was this miracle significant symbolically?

Why did Jesus drive the merchants out of the temple? How did Jesus compare Himself to the temple?