At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs His first sign, transforming six stone jars of water into excellent wine at His mother's prompting, manifesting His glory so that His disciples believe in Him. Jesus travels to Jerusalem for Passover and cleanses the temple with a whip of cords, driving out merchants and overturning money-changers' tables, declaring that His Father's house shall not be made a house of merchandise. When challenged to show a sign authorizing such action, Jesus prophetically declares, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,' speaking of the temple of His body whose resurrection the disciples would later understand.
Read John Chapter 2 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Cana
View on MapCana of Galilee was a village where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding feast. It was also the hometown of Nathanael (Bartholomew). Jesus later healed a royal official's son from a distance while in Cana.
Capernaum
View on MapCapernaum was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee that became the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry. Jesus called it "his own city" and performed many miracles there, including healing Peter's mother-in-law and the centurion's servant. The ruins of a synagogue where Jesus taught can still be seen today.
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Position in Book
PrologueChapters 1:1-18
The Word became flesh, dwelling among us.
Book of SignsChapters 1:19-12:50
Seven miraculous signs revealing Jesus' glory.
Book of GloryChapters 13-17
Passion NarrativeChapters 18-19
ResurrectionChapters 20-21