John 2:1
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The evangelist doesn't just state there was a wedding; he emphasizes it was the "third day," suggesting a connection to Jesus's new beginnings and the start of His public ministry. This detail subtly highlights that this event is the beginning of something significant for Jesus, not just a social gathering.
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, occurring shortly after He called his first disciples. It takes place at a wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee, where His mother is already present and Jesus, along with His newly gathered followers, is also invited. The scene sets the stage for Jesus' first miraculous sign, prompted by a shortage of wine at the celebration.
The phrase 'the third day' isn't just a random marker. It echoes significant moments in Scripture, hinting at what's to come.
The Gospel of John is rich with theological timing. When John mentions "the third day," he's not just saying it was a few days after Jesus' first disciples joined him. This phrase deliberately calls to mind other pivotal "third days" in salvation history:
By placing this event on the "third day," John subtly points to Jesus as the source of new life and the inaugurator of God's redemptive plan, mirroring creation and culminating in the resurrection.
Jesus' mother wasn't just present; her keen observation and quiet instruction set the stage for the first miracle.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, plays a crucial role even before the miracle unfolds. Her presence at the wedding isn't incidental. She's depicted as someone deeply aware of the social dynamics and practical needs of the situation.
Understand the original words
gamos · Greek Noun
A public, festive celebration of the covenantal union between a man and a woman, often used in Scripture as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people or Christ and the Church.
This event occurs early in Jesus' public ministry, shortly after calling His first disciples, setting the stage for Him to reveal His divine power and glory to them and others.
c. AD 26-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Following His baptism by John the Baptist and a period of temptation in the wilderness, Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee.
c. AD 26-30
Jesus Calls First Disciples
Jesus calls several of His first disciples, including Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael, to follow Him during His early ministry in Judea and Galilee.
c. AD 26-30
Travel to Cana
Jesus and His newly called disciples travel from the region of the Jordan River to Galilee, a journey of approximately twenty to thirty miles.
This passage establishes the foundational concept of marriage as a union ordained by God, which sets the context for Jesus' involvement in the wedding at Cana.
Exodus 7:20This verse describes Moses' first sign where water is turned to blood, contrasting with Jesus' first sign of turning water into wine, highlighting the difference between the Law and the Gospel.
Judges 14:12-18This passage details another wedding feast with a riddle and a lack of wine, showing a historical precedent for unexpected issues arising at such celebrations and the cultural significance of wine.
Song of Solomon 5:1This verse speaks of enjoying the sweetness of love and fellowship, echoing the celebratory atmosphere of a wedding feast and the abundance of good things that can be shared within God's design.
1 Timothy 5:23Paul advises Timothy to use wine moderately for medicinal purposes, which provides a theological perspective on the use of wine that Jesus transforms into a symbol of abundance and blessing.
ellicottJohn 2:1: "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:"
II. (1) The third day—i.e., from the last note of time in John 1:43, giving one clear day between the call of Philip and the day of the marriage. Cana of Galilee has been identified with both Kânet el-Jelîl, or Khurbet Kânet, and Kefr Kenna. The monks of Nazareth and local tradition claim the latter place as the scene of the miracle, but this tradition has not been traced earlier than the s…
vincentJohn 2:1: "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:"
The third dayReckoning from the last day mentioned (John 1:43).A marriage (γάμος)Or marriage festival, including a series of entertainments, and therefore often found in the plural. See on Matthew 22:2.Cana of GalileeTo distinguish it from Cana in Coelo-Syria.Mother of JesusHer name is never mentioned by John.Was thereWhen Jesus arrived. Probably as an intimate friend of the family, assist…
The evangelist doesn't just state there was a wedding; he emphasizes it was the "third day," suggesting a connection to Jesus's new beginnings and the start of His public ministry. This detail subtly highlights that this event is the beginning of something significant for Jesus, not just a social gathering.
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, occurring shortly after He called his first disciples. It takes place at a wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee, where His mother is already present and Jesus, along with His newly gathered followers, is also invited. The scene sets the stage for Jesus' first miraculous sign, prompted by a shortage of wine at the celebration.
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, occurring shortly after He called his first disciples. It takes place at a wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee, where His mother is already present and Jesus, along with His newly gathered followers, is also invited. The scene sets the stage for Jesus' first miraculous sign, prompted by a shortage of wine at the celebration.
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The miracle unfolds in an ordinary village, showing God's glory isn't confined to grand temples or prestigious events.
The location, "Cana of Galilee," might not sound impressive, but its significance lies in its very ordinariness. Unlike Jerusalem, the religious center, or other more prominent Galilean cities, Cana was a relatively small and perhaps obscure village.
"On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there." — The evangelist doesn't just state there was a wedding; he emphasizes it was the "third day," suggesting a connection to Jesus's new beginnings and the start of His public ministry. This detail subtly…
