Chapter 2

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• Man needs to do what Jesus says (John 2:5-9)!– “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5).– Jesus told them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” They filled

them to the brim (2:7).– Jesus told them, “Draw some out now, and take it…” And they

took it (John 2:8).– They obeyed Jesus’ every word:

• Thoroughly & completely – filled the pots to the brim.• Immediately & unquestioningly – Jesus said now and they did it.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• Jesus did NOT make intoxicating wine at the wedding

feast (John 2:3-10)!– The Greek word for wine, oinos, literally means “liquid from

the grape.”• It can mean intoxicating or non-intoxicating beverage.• The context of the passage determines which is meant.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• Jesus did NOT make intoxicating wine at the wedding

feast (John 2:3-10)!– If Jesus made intoxicating wine at the wedding feast:

• He violated the law under which He was living (the Old Testament)!• He violated Proverbs 23:31-32.• He violated Habakkuk 2:15.• He violated Proverbs 23:20.• He snubbed Proverbs 20:1.

– There is nothing in this passage to indicate Jesus made an intoxicating beverage!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• The Bible is factually accurate, even in its most minute

details (John 2:12, 13)!– The city of Capernaum was 15 miles ENE from Cana of Galilee.

• Jesus left Cana, “He went down to Capernaum.”• Cana was in the hills/mountains.• Capernaum was 580 feet below sea level.

– Jerusalem was more than 80 miles south of Capernaum.• When Jesus left Capernaum, He “went up to Jerusalem.”• Jerusalem is 2,500 feet above sea level.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• God desires the sacred to remain sacred and not be

tarnished by man (John 2:14-17)!– The temple was to be a “house of prayer” (Isa. 56:7; Mk.

11:17).– Man had turned it into “a house of merchandise” (John 2:16).– Jesus’ reaction to a market on the holy grounds teaches us:

• Our zeal for God & His house should consume us more than anything!• The “Father’s house” must be governed by the Father’s rules (1 Ti.

3:15).• The N.T. temple of God (i.e., the church) “is holy” also (1 Cor. 3:17).• “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1

Pet. 1:15).

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• The Scripture and the word which Jesus spoke are in full

agreement (John 2:22)!– John 2:22 says, “They believed the Scripture and the word

which Jesus had said.”– No part of Scripture (OT or NT) can be used to contradict the

teaching of Jesus!– No teaching of Jesus can be used to contradict any part of

Scripture!– The Bible and all of its teachings stand and always will stand in

beautiful harmony!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 2• God knows what is in the hearts of all men (2:24-25)!– Man only looks on outward appearance, but God discerns the

heart (1 Sam. 16:7).– He “searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the

thoughts” (1 Chr. 28:9).

An Overview of John 2Theme of John 2: “First Signs of Deity”

• Jesus Performed His First Miracle (John 2:1-11).– Waterpots filled to the brim – nothing else could be added.

• The servants knew that only water had been drawn, but it became wine.• The quality of the juice was exceptional, as were all of Jesus’ miracles.

– “This beginning of signs” had its intended effect:• It manifested His glory (i.e., His deity, His divine nature) – Jesus is God!• His disciples believed in Him!

– The word “signs” is to signify & underscore to the people:• Jesus’ supernatural powers.• Jesus’ divine origin.

An Overview of John 2Theme of John 2: “First Signs of Deity”

• Jesus Spoke of His Death for the First Time (John 2:4).– Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4).

• He said this frequently throughout the book (7:6, 8, 30; 8:20).• Then, at the end, He taught, “My hour has come” (12:23, 27; 13:1;

16:32; 17:1).– When Jesus spoke of His hour, He was speaking of His

passion/crucifixion.

An Overview of John 2Theme of John 2: “First Signs of Deity”

• Jesus Cleansed the Temple for the First Time (2:13-17).– He made a whip, drove them out, poured out the money &

overturned the tables!– Here is another fulfillment of Scripture. The cleansing was a

Messianic act.

An Overview of John 2Theme of John 2: “First Signs of Deity”

• Jesus Spoke of His Resurrection for the First Time (John 2:18-22).– He often pointed to His resurrection as the only sign He’d give

(cf. Mt. 12:39-40; 16:4).– His enemies repeatedly referred to this claim (cf. Matt. 26:61;

27:40; Acts 6:13-14).– His resurrection “declared [Him] to be the Son of God with

power” (Rom. 1:4).

An Overview of John 2Theme of John 2: “First Signs of Deity”

• Jesus Possessed Insight into Hearts that Only God Had (John 2:23-25).– “He knew all men…He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25).– Jesus was able to look into and know the hearts of man (John

1:42, 47, 48; 4:29; 6:61; 21:17).– Only deity can know the hearts of man (1 Kgs. 8:39; Jer. 17:10;

Acts 1:24). Jesus is deity!

How Chapter 2 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• The Miracle: Water to wine– Manifested His glory; His disciples believed in Him! Fulfilled its purpose!

• The Cleansing: Passionately expelling the merchants from the temple– Jesus shared a unique relationship with His Father, which no else had!– “Do not make My Father’s house…” (John 2:16).

• The Prophecy: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!– What an incredibly bold claim! A bold claim that was fulfilled with power!– When He arose, His disciples believed the Scripture and the word He spoke.

• The End Result: While Jesus was at the feast, many believed in His name!– “When they saw the signs which He did” (John 2:23). Fulfilled their purpose!