John 2:1-10 KJV+
1. And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
I. And it came to pass, that important members of the community and special guests were gathered at the wedding, among whom were many Masters of the Law and Pharisees.
2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
II. Not long after the feast had commenced, that the wine was found to be nearly exhausted, which brought much shame upon the host. And the host called together a council of wise men, that they might devise a plan to remedy the situation. And they pondered, “How might a great quantity of wine be obtained in haste?“
3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
III. And she knew that no solution was found for the problem.
4. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
IV. And Mary brought Jesus into the chamber where the people were discussing how to disclose the sorrowful tidings. They ceased their discourse as He entered, for the matter was yet concealed.
V. And there were gathered a company of servants in the room, prepared to execute any command that the council might require.
5. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
VI. And some Pharisees and Masters of the Law, who were called upon to solve the problem, looked upon Jesus and questioned, “What is his role here? What experience and qualifications hath he to be among our deliverers?”
VII. And Mary beheld them for a moment, then departed from the chamber.
6. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
VIII. And Jesus, taking no heed of the Pharisees and Masters of the Law, walked towards the six waterpots of stone, that they might observe his actions.
7 (a). Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water.
IX. And one of the Pharisees inquired, “What is thy intent?” Another added, “We labor to resolve the great issue—the absence of wine!” Yet Jesus gave no reply. “By what authority dost thou command us here?” demanded a third Pharisee, who was met with the approbation of his peers. “We are trained to address such matters; thus, we are leaders in the community.”
X. And the servants were in a state of perplexity, not knowing what course to take, for they feared to gainsay the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. But Jesus beheld them with compassion and gave a nod of affirmation.
7 (b). And they filled them up to the brim.
8. (a) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.
XI. A Pharisee exclaimed, “This is folly!” He cried, “This water is for purification; it is for ceremonial use, not to be served as a beverage.”
XII. “He shall bring shame upon himself,” a Master of the Law declared. “If I were a servant, I would not heed his counsel,” he added.
XIII. And the servants gazed upon Jesus once more, and he smiled upon them with tenderness. In peace, they did as he had directed.
8. (b) And they bare it.
9. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10. And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
XIV. And the servants returned with joy, proclaiming, “They delight in the new wine! They delight in the new wine!” The Pharisees and Masters of the Law looked upon one another in astonishment and hastened to examine the six stone water jars. To their amazement, the jars were filled with the finest wine they had ever tasted. They sought for Jesus, but he was not to be found among them.
XV. And after beholding this wondrous work, the servants became believers; they shared with their kin and companions all that Jesus had wrought. Thus, a single miracle transformed their lives.
XVI. And the Pharisees and Masters of the Law who had observed the miracle became resentful towards Jesus, for they perceived him as an impediment to their authority.
You have seen the miracle; what are you going to do?
Italo Osorio – Copyright 2024
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash