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. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. 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. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:6-11 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
In this miracle of our Saviour’s turning water into wine, Observe, 1. The reality of the miracle, and the sincerity of Christ in the working of it. The evidence there was no deceit in the miracle, not wine-casks, but water pots, are called for; wine vessels, in which some lees were remaining might have given both a vinous colour and taste to the water; but stone pots could contribute nothing of this nature; and being open pots, there was not stealing wine into them without observation.
Again, our Saviour’s employing the servants, and not his disciples, takes off any suspicion of collusion; and his sending it to the ruler or governor of the feast, was evidence that the miracle would bear examination. Our Saviour’s miracles were real and beneficial; they were obvious to sense, not lying wonders, nor fictitious miracles, which the jugglers in the church of Rome cheat the people with. The greatest miracle which they boast of, transubstantiation, is so far from being obvious to sense, that it contradicts the sense and reason of mankind, and is the greatest affront to human nature that ever the world was acquainted with.
Observe, 2. Though Christ wrought a real miracle, yet he would not work more of miracle than needed; he would not create wine out of nothing, but turned water into wine. Thus he multiplied the bread, changed the water, restored withered limbs, raised dead bodies, still working upon that which was, and not creating that which was not: Christ never wrought a miracle but when needful, and then wrought no more of miracles than he needed.
Observe, 3. The liberality and bounty of Christ in the miracle here wrought; six water pots are filled with wine! Enough, says some writers, for a hundred and fifty men; had he turned but one of those large vessels into wine, it had been sufficient proof of his power; but to fill so many, was an instance both of his power and mercy.
The Lord of the family furnishes his household not barely for necessity, but for delight, giving richly all things to enjoy. And as the bounty of Christ appeared in quantity, so in the excellency, of the wine; Thou hast kept the best wine until now, says the governor of the feast. It was fit that Christ’s miraculous wine should be more perfect than the natural.
But, O blessed Saviour, how delicate and delicious shall that wine be, which we shall drink ere long, with thee in thy Father’s kingdom! Let thy Holy Spirit fill the vessel of my heart with water, with godly sorrow and contrition, and thou wilt turn it into wine. For blessed are they that mourn, they shall be comforted.
Observe, 4. The double effects of this miracle; Christ hereby manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him.
1. He manifested forth his glory; that is, the glory of his godhead, as doing this by his own power. Here shined forth his omnipotence, his bounty and liberality, everything that might bespeak him both a great and good God.
The second effect of this miracle was, that the disciples believed on him. The great end of miracles is the confirmation of faith; God never sets the seals of his omnipotence to a lie; all the miracles then that Christ and his apostles did, were as so many seals that the doctrine of the gospel is true. If you believe not me, says Christ, believe the works which I do, for they bear witness of me, John 5:36
BURKITT | John 2:1-2 | John 2:3-5 | John 2:6-11 | John 2:12-16 | John 2:17 | John 2:18-22 | John 2:23-24 | John 2:25 |