John 2

His Hour

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. John 2:3–4

In John, Jesus' 'hour' means the time of His suffering, death, and glorification. From His very first miracle He is aware of the Atonement ahead. ('Woman' was a respectful form of address.)

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by John 12:23 — 'The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.'
• fulfilled by John 17:1 — 'Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son.'

Joseph Type — do what he says

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5

Mary's words echo Pharaoh's command in the famine to go to Joseph and do what he says. Like Joseph, Jesus is the one who provides abundance where there is lack.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Genesis 41:55 — Pharaoh: 'Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.'

The Good Wine Kept until Now

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. John 2:6–10

Jesus turns water for the old purification rituals into the best wine at a wedding. It hints that He, the true Bridegroom, brings something better than the law's outward washings — the joy of the new covenant and, later, the wine of the sacrament.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 3:29 — John calls Jesus the bridegroom.
• alluded to by Luke 22:20 — The cup of the new testament in His blood.

First Miracle — His Glory Manifested

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. John 2:11

The miracle at Cana revealed Jesus' divine glory, and His disciples' faith grew. John calls His miracles 'signs' because they point to who He is.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:14 — We beheld his glory.
• the same event in John 4:54 — The second sign, also at Cana.

The Son in His Father's House

And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, John 2:13–16

Jesus calls the temple 'my Father's house,' openly claiming to be God's Son, and cleanses it with authority. Malachi foretold the Lord suddenly coming to His temple to purify it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Malachi 3:1-3 — The Lord shall suddenly come to his temple... and he shall purify.
• the same title in Luke 2:49 — The boy Jesus: 'I must be about my Father's business.'

Zeal for the Father's House

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. John 2:17

The disciples recognize Psalm 69, a psalm of the suffering righteous one, as describing Jesus. His zeal for God's house would 'eat him up' — lead to His death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 69:9 — 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.'

The Temple of His Body

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? John 2:18–22

Asked for a sign, Jesus points to His coming death and Resurrection, speaking of His body as a temple. John explains the meaning, and after the Resurrection the disciples remembered and believed.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Matthew 26:61 — False witnesses twist this saying at His trial.
• alluded to by Mark 14:58 — The same saying used against Him.
• fulfilled by Luke 24:6-8 — He is risen; they remembered his words.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 25:13 — After three days in a sepulchre he shall rise from the dead.

Believing in His Name

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. John 2:23

Many believed in Jesus' name because of His miracles, though faith built only on signs can be shallow.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

He Knew What Was in Man

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, John 2:24–25

Jesus knows every heart perfectly, something the Old Testament says only the LORD can do (Jeremiah 17:10). This quietly testifies of His divinity as Jehovah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Jeremiah 17:10 — 'I the LORD search the heart.'