Side by side
John 2
Our retelling next to the Bible text it comes from. Each row lines up one scene with the verses it retells.
Scene 1: The WeddingVerses 1 to 2
On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana. This most likely counts from when Jesus called Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51). Cana was a small village in Galilee.
Jesus's mother, Mary, was there.
Jesus and his disciples had been invited too.
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
Scene 2: No More WineVerses 3 to 5
Then the wine ran out.
This was a real problem. A wedding feast back then could last many days. Running out of wine could embarrass the family who hosted it.
Mary went to Jesus. She said, "They have no more wine" (2:3).
"Woman, why does this concern us?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come" (2:4).
To us, "Woman" can sound rude. Back then, it was a polite way to speak to a woman. Jesus's "hour" means the time of his death and rising. There is more about this below.
Mary did not argue. She spoke to the servants. "Do whatever He tells you" (2:5).
The Bible doesn't say what Mary expected Jesus to do. But her words show that she trusted him.
3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
Scene 3: Six Stone JarsVerses 6 to 7
Six big stone water jars stood nearby.
The jars held water for Jewish washing rites, such as washing hands before meals. The washing was a sign of being clean before God.
Each jar held about 20 to 30 gallons. All six together held about 120 to 180 gallons.
Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water" (2:7).
So they filled them to the very top.
6Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.
Scene 4: A TasteVerses 8 to 9
Then Jesus said, "Now draw some out... and take it to the master of the banquet" (2:8). The master of the banquet was the man in charge of the feast.
The servants took some to the master of the banquet.
The master tasted it. The water had turned into wine.
The master did not know where the wine came from. But the servants knew. They had drawn it out themselves.
8“Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
Scene 5: The Best for LastVerses 9 to 10
The master called the bridegroom aside. The bridegroom is the man getting married.
The master said that people usually serve the fine wine first. Later, after the guests have had a lot to drink, they bring out the cheap wine.
Then he said, "But you have saved the fine wine until now!" (2:10).
The master praised the bridegroom. Here's what you know that the master doesn't: the wine came from Jesus.
9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”
Scene 6: The First SignVerse 11
This was the first of Jesus's signs. A sign is a miracle that points to something bigger. John calls Jesus's miracles signs because they show who Jesus is.
In this way, Jesus showed his glory. Glory is the shining greatness of God.
And his disciples believed in him.
The wine at the party had run out. Jesus gave far more than enough. And the best wine came last.
11Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
Between scenesVerses 12 to 25
This part isn't retold as its own scene.
12After this, He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there a few days. 13When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” 17His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” 18On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” 19Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 20“This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” 21But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. 22After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name. 24But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. 25He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
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