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John Chapter 2 1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the

mother of Jesus was there.

- This is the third day ……. since Philip and Nathanael became His disciples. (1:43)

- Cana was probably located somewhere between 4 and 12 miles northeast of Nazareth ….. its exact location is unknown.

o The IVP Bible background commentary : New

Testament ……. “Cana” may be Kefar Kanna (over three miles from Nazareth), but most scholars prefer Khirbet Kana (over eight miles from Nazareth). Either site would be close enough to Nazareth to explain how the host knows Jesus’ family.

o As previously mentioned ……. it was the hometown of Nathanael.

o It was called Cana of Galilee …….. to distinguish it from another Cana in the tribe of Ephraim, Josh. 16:9.

- Jewish wedding feasts often lasted seven days. Weddings

lasted seven days, and hosts invited as many people as possible, especially distinguished guests like prominent teachers. The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament

and the mother of Jesus was there.

- We don’t know ….. if she was there as a relative, an assistant or as an invited guest. It appears that she was there from the beginning of the feast.

o Peoples Commentary …… Reasons are suggested from the narrative that follows for believing that Mary was related to the family. As Joseph is never mentioned as living after Jesus entered upon his ministry, he is supposed to have died before this time.

o Wood’s in the Gospel Advocate Commentary says …… “Mary’s close association with the family is surmised from the fact that she was at ease in instructing the servants (verse 5), but this, too, is slender evidence.”

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o The Bible Knowledge Commentary makes this

interesting observation ….. Jesus’ mother was there, but John did not give her name (cf. 2:12; 6:42; 19:25-27). In his Gospel, John never named himself or the mother of Jesus. (Jesus’ mother went to the home of the beloved disciple John [19:27].)

2Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

- This statement seems to indicate …….. that Jesus and His disciples probably arrived after the feast had begun.

o The Wycliffe Bible commentary : New Testament … It is uncertain whether Jesus timed the journey in order to be present for the marriage or whether the invitation to him and his disciples came after their arrival in Galilee. If the latter is the correct alternative, the depletion of the supply of wine may be readily explained. Other guests may have arrived unexpectedly also. Nathanael, whose home was in Cana, possibly had something to do with the arrangements.

o We see immediately that Jesus was not an ascetic:

Matthew 11:18-19 ….. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” RSV

3And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him,

“They have no wine.” 4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

- Lenski …… “Since Mary takes the matter in hand she must have been one of those who helped with the serving, in fact, the one who oversaw and managed affairs as also her word to the helpers indicates.”

He goes on to say ……”As regards what follows we may also bear in mind that, while Jewish weddings usually were celebrated for a week, some even for two weeks, we cannot be sure that this wedding lasted that long. The impression left by the entire narrative is that the present wedding, perhaps because of the couple was poor, lasted only the one evening and was celebrated only by one feast, made as fine as possible by the means of the groom.”

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- B.W. Johnson …….. The Revision says, "When the wine failed." For some cause, perhaps from a larger number of guests than was expected, the wine gave out. In the East, where hospitality is so lavish, this would cause great mortification.

- Coffman makes this comment ……. “All Jewish weddings were celebrated with wine for the guests, and such a failure as is recorded here would have been an occasion of sharp embarrassment to the host. Jesus' mother knew that he had the power to alleviate the shortage and evidently hoped by this remark to enlist his aid in overcoming it.”

- Getting to the crux of the matter ……. The Wycliffe Bible commentary says – The words indicate division of interest and seem to suggest a measure of rebuke. Mary may have expected Jesus to use the situation to call attention to himself in a way that would have furthered his Messianic program. But his hour had not yet come. Later references point to the cross as the focal point of the hour (7:30; 8:20;12:23; 13:1; 17:1). Jesus wanted his mother to understand that the former relationship between the two of them (Lk 2:51) was at an end. She was not to interfere in his mission. Mary wisely did not dispute the matter. If she could not command him, she could instruct the servants to obey his directions. Thus she showed her confidence in him.

o John 7:31 …… 30 So they sought to arrest him; but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. RSV

o John 8:20 …… 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. RSV

o John 12:23 …… 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. RSV

o John 13:1 ….. 1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. RSV

o John 17:1 …… 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, RSV

o Luke 2:48-51 ….. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and

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was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. RSV

o Verse 4 has received a lot of comment and debate

because it does not translate easily into English.

KJV …… 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

ESV …… 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

ISV …… 4 Jesus said to her, “How does that concern us, woman? My hour has not yet come.”

RSV …… 4 And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

NIV …… 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

JNT…… 4 Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me?—or you? My time hasn’t come yet.”

o Jewish New Testament commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament……….. agrees with Wycliffe and adds some other helpful information:

Mother, why should that concern me?—or you? Literally, “What to me and to you, woman?” This translates into Greek a Hebrew idiom found a number of times in the Tanakh, and we are thereby reminded of the Hebraic roots necessary to proper understanding of the New Testament. The meaning of this idiom is flexible; renderings include: “What do we have in common?” “Why do you involve me?” “You must not tell me what to do,” “Why turn to me?” “Your concern is not mine.”

Greek gune means “woman,” but saying “Gune!” to a woman in Greek is not nearly as cold an address as “Woman!” in English; this is why I have rendered it “Mother.” Nevertheless Yeshua’s answer, in toto, no matter how translated, puts distance between him and his mother Miryam. Why does he do this? Is he disobeying the commandment to honor his father and mother (as opponents of the Gospel suppose)?

The answer comes with the following remark, My time (literally, “my hour”) hasn’t come yet. Yochanan’s Gospel often has Yeshua speaking about his time (7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1), and each occasion has a reason. Here the reason is that Yeshua’s mother had been informed, even before he was born, that he was meant for greatness (Lk 1:35, 43); she had heard others

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prophesy about him (Lk 2:25–38); she had observed his development (Lk 2:40, 51), although not always with understanding (Lk 2:41–50); and she had known that future generations would bless her (Lk 1:48). Yeshua’s comment is meant to aid her in the transition from seeing him as her child to seeing him as her Lord, to keep her from undue pride, and to indicate that he as Lord sovereignly determines when he will intervene in human affairs—he does not perform miracles on demand merely to impress his friends, or even to give naches (a Yiddish word that means “the kind of joy a mother feels”) to his mother. See v. 11&N on the purpose of his miracle.

Actually he both honored and cared for his mother: in the agony of being executed he entrusted his mother to the talmid whom he especially loved (19:25–27). And in the end she did come to regard him as Lord, for she was present and praying with the other talmidim in the upstairs room after his resurrection (Ac 1:14).

5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

- First ….. This statement reveals her submission to her Son.

o Even if she didn’t fully understand …… she trusted Him.

However, I also think …… she was beginning to recognize the transition in roles that was beginning to take place.

- Secondly ……. It served to tell the servants to follow His instruction.

o Ordinarily ……. under normal circumstances, they might hesitate to carry out the orders of a guest.

6Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the

manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.

- Once again we hear the testimony of an eye witness.

o John remembers … the precise number of waterpots – six, and the composition of the pots – stone.

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o The waterpots mentioned here were normally not used to hold wine. He says they were there ….. according to the manner of purification of the Jews

A lot of water was needed for all that washing:

• Mark 7:1-4 …… 1 Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) RSV

Concerning the size of the pots …… several things can be seen. He says …… containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.

• Stone pots were hand made ….. and they varied in both size and shape.

• Each waterpot …… held approximately 20 to 30 gallons of water.

• Hence ….. the six waterpots had a total capacity of between 120 and 180 gallons.

• Hendriksen asks the question …… “But why is this fact stated?

o He then answers …… “Obviously, in order to emphasize the greatness of Christ’s gift!”

7Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled

them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

- The following comment by John Gill pretty much tells the story of what was taking place and why – no details were overlooked:

o Christ chose the water pots, and not the vessel, or vessels, or bottles, now empty, out of which they had drank their wine; that it might not be said

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that there was any left therein, which gave colour and flavour to the water: and he ordered them to be filled with water by the servants, that they might take notice, and be witnesses, that that, and nothing else, was put into them; and up to the brims, so that they could not he capable of having any other liquor infused into them: and they filled them up to the brim; strictly observing the orders of Christ, and the instructions of his mother. The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible – He lived from 1697 to 1771 and was a contemporary and coworker of C.H. Spurgeon.

o There was no delay in getting the water made wine to

the master of the feast …… 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made

wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

- “The master of the feast” …….. was in charge of all the festivities and was most likely a close friend of the bridegroom.

o Obviously … in this position one of his duties was tasting the wine before it was given to the guests.

o As stated in verse 9 …….. the “master of the feast” didn’t know where the wine came from …… but the servants who drew the water knew.

o Consequently, his comments ……. could only be thought honest since he knew nothing about the miracle that was done or where the wine came from.

- Of greatest note to this unbiased “master of the feast” ……… is the superior quality of this wine.

o Surprised by this …… he has to say something to the bridegroom.

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He says …… usually the best wine is served first and after they have well drank ….then the inferior wine is served.

No doubt ……. The wine used at these feasts was the same type commonly used in Palestine.

• At first glance …… to us today, it seems logical to think that the wine had to have some alcohol content to have the effect spoken of after the guests had drunk freely. But we really don’t know that. (See Bible Wines by William Patton, Star Bible Publications, Inc.)

• We do know however ….. that there is absolutely no indication in the text to indicate that they became drunk.

o John Gill …… commenting on – and when men have well drank – says – “not to excess, but freely, so as that they are exhilarated; and their spirits cheerful, but their brains not intoxicated: so the word, as answering to the Hebrew word is (rkv) used in Genesis 43:34.”

Gen. 43:34 ….. 34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him. RSV

• Drunkenness is always recognized as a sin in the Bible:

o Gal. 5:19-21 ….. 19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20

idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. RSV

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• The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament … gives some insight into the many questions concerning the wine.

o Soon after the grape vintage, all wine would contain

some alcohol (neither refrigeration nor hermetic sealing existed). But the alcohol level of the wine was not increased artificially (distillation was not in use); rather, the wine was watered down, with two to three parts water to one part wine. Sometimes at Greek parties drunkenness was induced through less dilution or the addition of herbal toxins, but Jewish teachers disapproved of such practices; that drunkenness is part of the celebration at Cana is unlikely. Yet one would normally serve the better wine first because, drunk or not, guests’ senses would become more dulled as the seven days of banqueting proceeded.

• It was considered disgraceful to get drunk at such an occasion .

• The custom ….. of serving the best wine first only recognized the fact that the taste of the guest would be dulled sufficiently so that they would not be able to discern the exact flavor and excellence of the wine that was served last of all.

o This was purely a matter of economics. (Logical & less expensive)

o To reverse this custom ….. made no sense to the “master of the feast” and this is what prompted his question. (It was illogical) To save the best to last made no sense to him.

- One last note – Many commentators allegorize this text in different ways both keying on the worst and the best scenarios.

o For instance …… The Bible knowledge commentary makes this statement:

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“The significance of this miracle is that Christianity is an advance over Judaism. God has kept the best gift—His Son—until now.”

o See Coffman’s Commentary for numerous examples of this type of interpretation.

11This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

- John uses the word “sign” …… over and over again in the

first half of his Gospel.

o Central among these “signs”…… are the miracles of Jesus of which John records only seven.

They are called “signs” …… because they promote belief in Him with an ever increasing degree of clarity.

• John 5:36 ……. 36 But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. RSV

But most importantly …… they signify what He is, His character and who He is.

o The miracle of water made into wine …… may in itself not appear to be an appropriate indication of Christ’s glory.

However …… it must be taken as John takes it.

It was the first of a series of “signs”…… all of which are related to the life that is to be found in the Word of God..

• John 1:4 ……. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. RSV

The disciples have now been confronted with something greater ……. than anything John the Baptist had pointed out to them.

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• This creative power of Jesus ….. will increasingly cause the disciples to pass beyond that point in time when salvation was represented by the forerunner.

12After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers,

and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

- Capernaum …. is on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.

o It is a few miles northeast of Cana …… but he went down because of the decline in land elevation toward the sea.

o Later in His ministry …… Capernaum became His home base.

Mark 2:1 ….. 1 And when he returned to Caperna-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. RSV

- He is accompanied by …… his mother Mary.

o His “brethren ” ……. brothers in the flesh and sons of Joseph and Mary; James, Joses, Simon and Judas (Matt. 13:55-56).

o And his disciples …… now five in number ….. John, Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael.

- They didn’t stay in Capernaum long ….. obviously because of the impending Passover.

13Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

o This is the first Passover …… that the Lord attended after he began his ministry.

None of the other Gospels …… mention this attendance.

The festival lasted seven days.

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• Lenski makes this comment about the Passover festival ….. “ Its crowning glory was the eating of the roasted lamb by a party numerous enough to consume it together with the bitter herbs. Every man of the Jews from twelve years up was supposed to attend this festival at Jerusalem, which overflowed the city with pilgrims. The addition “of the Jews” shows that John is writing for general readers.”

14And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business.

- The word “temple” …….. is used here to refer to the whole temple complex.

o The Wycliffe Bible commentary : New Testament – gives an overview of what was happening …… “The Sanhedrin was permitting, and probably controlling for its own financial interest, a traffic in sacrificial animals and money changing. This traffic, carried on in the large area known as the Court of the Gentiles, was to the advantage of the pilgrim, since he could acquire his sacrifice here rather than bring it with him. Presumably there was a guarantee that the animal was “without blemish.” Various kinds of coinage could be changed at the tables for the Palestinian half shekel required for the annual temple tax. This traffic turned the Temple into a mart of trade. Incensed at the sacrilege, Jesus went into action.”

The need seems to be valid ……. but Jesus obviously believes the temple complex is the wrong place for this business. (Deut. 14:24-26) Not to mention the corruption that seems to have developed.

• The priests managed this business (It was the property of the family of the High Priest Annas)….. and it was very profitable to them.

In the synoptic Gospels’ Jesus was even more

severe than here when He called them a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:13)

• This may well have implied ……. that they were charging too much for their goods.

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• Or …….. that they were simply more interested in making money than in worshipping God.

• Here, his charge is ….. you have made My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

The temple was no longer a “house of prayer” as was intended.

• As one commentator said …… it would

seem that they were more interested in preying on the people than praying for the people.

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- The College Press NIV Commentary adds even more clarity to the temple situation …… (Luke 19:45a) The temple area, often called the temple mount, was a rectangular area about 1,600 by 1,000 feet enclosing the equivalent of thirty-five football fields. Herod the Great had built massive retaining walls which doubled the area to this size. The temple building itself was rather small and could be entered only by the

1Walvoord, J. F. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Jn 2:13). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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priests. The courtyard surrounding the temple building was restricted to Jewish males and was called the Court of the Israelites. A larger courtyard just outside this one was called the Court of the Women, in which Jewish females were also allowed. The largest part of the acreage was called “the court of the Gentiles,” since Gentiles were allowed in this area in order to worship God. The Jewish leadership allowed animal sellers and currency exchangers to set up their booths in this area, so that the tens of thousands of people visiting Jerusalem for Passover could buy lambs and other sacrificial animals and get the proper coins to pay the temple tax. o Side note: The Passover meal required a lamb for about every ten

people, so that even a low estimate of 100,000 observers would demand 10,000 lambs. Also, the temple tax had to paid with a “half-shekel,” a coin only minted in Tyre at the time, thus necessitating the money exchanging.

15When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

- Obviously ……. the cleansing of the temple related here by John is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

- Most commentators are in agreement that Jesus cleansed the temple twice …… once at the beginning and once at the close of his public ministry.

o The three Synoptic Gospels …… record the temple cleansing that was very near the end of His public ministry. (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-16; Luke 19:45-46)

o The narrations are noticeably different.

The second cleansing …….. added fuel to the already burning desire of the Jewish leadership to destroy Jesus.

o Mark chapter 11:1-14 ……. tells us that after Jesus made His entrance into Jerusalem on the colt He went into the temple and then returned to Bethany.

Mark 11:15-18 …… 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the

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money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; 16 and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple. 17

And he taught, and said to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. RSV

- Concerning the whip of cords:

o Jesus …… quite likely made this scourge out of pieces of rope used to lead the animals around.

This scourge ….. was then used to “drive all” out of the temple.

Who is the all?

• Guy N. Woods …….. “The American Standard Version, by its punctuation, indicates only the cattle and sheep; the King James Translation broadens the statement to include the money-changers also. We believe the latter to be the correct view and that the Lord did indeed expel both men and beast from the temple precincts. Matthew’s report makes it very clear that Jesus drove out the money-changers and we think he did the same in this instance.”

- To those who sold doves He gave command to “Take these things away!….. since the doves are caged and can’t be driven out like the other animals involved.

o The Bible exposition commentary makes a subtle point ……. Our Lord suddenly appeared in the temple and cleaned house! He was careful not to destroy anyone’s property (He did not release the doves, for example); but He made it clear that He was in command. The temple was His Father’s house, and He would not have the religious leaders pollute it with their money-making enterprises.

- He says …… “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

Coffman picks up on the main significance of this comment …… (My Father's house ...) "My" indicates the unique sonship of Jesus. and focuses on the Messianic import of this event of cleansing. As Hunter noted, "The cleansing is far more than a Jewish reformer's act; it is a sign of the advent of the

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Messiah."<16> In Malachi 3:1f, it is written: "The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple ... but who may abide the day of his coming? ... and he shall purify the sons of Levi." Also, in Zechariah 14:1, we have, "And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day" (RSV). Thus, very early in his ministry, Jesus laid claim by these bold deeds to his rightful position as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel and head of the Theocracy.

17Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.

- This quotation is from Psalm 69:9 ….. 9 For zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me. RSV o As his disciples witness this cleansing of the temple

by Jesus ……. they are evidently reminded of this Psalm.

It refers both to His zeal and alludes to his own death.

Psalms 69 is used several times in the NT …… and always in a messianic application.

• Psalm 69:4 (John 15:25); Psalm 69:8 (John 7:3–5); Psalm 69:9 (John 2:17; Rom. 15:3); Psalm 69:21 (Matt. 27:34, 48); and Psalm 69:22 (Rom. 11:9–10).

o The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series" Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989)….. has this to say. “There was still a godly remnant in Israel who loved God and revered His temple (Luke 1:5–22; 2:25–38), but most religious leaders were false shepherds who exploited the people. When Jesus cleansed the temple, He “declared war” on the hypocritical religious leaders (Matt. 23), and this ultimately led to His death. Indeed, His zeal for God’s house did eat Him up!”

o It seems unlikely that the disciples understood the Messianic work of Jesus very well at this point.

However …… they did know how much David suffered for his zeal to accomplish God’s purposes and they saw the same type of zeal in Jesus; consequently they worried that he would suffer in the same way David did.

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” 18So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

- This action got the attention of the authorities …. as was intended.

o This group of Jews was probably some combination ….. of temple police, scribes, priests, Pharisees and/or Sanhedrists.

John simply refers to them as …… “the Jews.”

He also did this back in 1:19 …… where it also carries the same connotation (those hostile to Jesus).

o By asking for a “sign” …….(since You do these things) they were asking for a proof of His authority for this unusual act.

They obviously discerned a messianic claim in this action …… because they demanded that He validate Himself by a sign.

Interestingly ….. they make no defense for the temple merchandising. It was a righteous action!

This cleansing of the Temple …… was a prophetic “sign,” in and of itself, but they did not or would not recognize it as such.

• Mal. 3:1-3 ….. 1 “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD. RSV

• Hendriksen makes this interesting comment ….. “The majestic manner in which Jesus performed this task, so that none, seeing him, even dared to resist, was proof sufficient that the Messiah had entered the

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temple and was purging it, as had been predicted. What additional sign could be ask for?

The request for a sign was not only stupid, however; it was also wicked. It was the result of unwillingness to admit guilt. The authorities should have been ashamed of all this graft and greed within the temple-court. Instead of asking Jesus by what right he had cleansed the temple, they should have confessed their sins and thanked him.”

The demand for a sign or explanation ……. was continually being made of Jesus.

• A demand ….. that he continually refused to gratify.

Why did he refuse?

After feeding the four thousand ……. Mark 8:11-13 ……. 11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side. RSV

And again in Luke 11:29-32 …… 29 When the crowds

were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. RSV

• They had just seen the miracle of Jesus casting out a demon …Luke 11:14–6 ……. 14 Now he was casting out a demon that was dumb; when the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Be-elzebul, the prince of demons”; 16 while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven. RSV

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o So they accuse Jesus …… of being in league with the devil.

o While some sought to test him … by requesting a sign from heaven.

• Concerning “seeking a sign from heaven” ….. Barnes comments on this phrase …... “A sign from heaven. Some miraculous appearance in the sky. Such appearances had been given by the prophets; and they supposed, if he was the Messiah, that his miracles would not all be confined to the earth, but that he was able to give some signal miracle from heaven. Samuel had caused it to thunder, 1 Sam. 12:16-18. Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz, Isa. 38:8 and Moses had sent them manna from heaven, Exod. 16:4; Jn. 6:31. It is proper to say, that though Christ did not choose then to show such wonders, yet far more stupendous signs from heaven than these were exhibited at his death.”

Jesus also refused to explain “by what authority he did these things or “ who gave Him the authority to do them” in ……. Mark 11:23-33 ……. 27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” 31 And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From men’?” —they were afraid of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” RSV

• It was a no win situation! They would not have been convinced no matter what Jesus said.

“Signs” and “explanations” were for the supportive …… to evoke or to confirm faith.

For example:

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• He did work miracles ….. for the benefit of John's disciples (Luke 7:18-22), and raised Lazarus that the people might believe (John 11:42).

o Luke 7:18-23 ….. 18 The disciples of John told him of all these things. 19 And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.” RSV

o John 11:38-43 …… 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” RSV

But the antagonist ……would not be convinced no matter what.

• Notice the following two examples of this:

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• Acts 4:15-18 ….. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. RSV

• John 12:9-11…… 9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. RSV

19Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

- Clearly ….. Jesus was speaking of himself as the temple …… a new kind of temple.

o Being spiritually blind …… many of the Jews did not see any spiritual implication and consequently they interrupted everything in material and physical terms.

o Even worse …….. at the time of the trials before his crucifixion, Jesus' enemies presented a corrupted version of his words as "evidence."

Matthew 26:59-61 …… 9 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’ RSV

o We also recognize His intent in making this statement …….. it was a prediction of His own death, burial, and resurrection.

20Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

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- This refers to the building of the whole temple complex.

o The temple building itself ……. took between 8 and 9 ½ years to complete according to various writers.

o Coffman …… (The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up, in three days?)

At this point, it is possible to check the historicity of John's Gospel; and it is no surprise to find it exactly accurate. Herod the Great began building the temple in 20-19 B.C. Adding 46 years to that date brings the time of this first cleansing to 27-28 A.D. and adds strong evidence for the early date of this cleansing. Of course, the Jews construed Jesus' words in the most literal fashion possible, and with such a lack of perception that they naturally considered his claim ridiculous.

- The New International Commentary gives us a little more insight as it makes this comment:

o “The Jews explode in an incredulous question. Their temple was a magnificent structure. Herod had commenced its rebuilding partly to satisfy is lust for building, and partly in an attempt to stand well with his Jewish subjects, among whom he was very unpopular. Work was still going on at his death, and for that matter, for long after. The temple was not completed until A.D. 64. The Jews accordingly mean here that work has been proceeding for forty-six years. The fact that it was still not complete would heighten their amazement at a statement which they understood to mean that Jesus claimed the power to erect its like in a mere three days.

It actually took about 80 years in total to complete it.

21But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

- This is John’s comment …… making it clear ….. that Jesus wasn’t talking about the temple of stone and mortar.

o He was talking about His body. 22Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

- The first thing we notice … is the fact that the disciples are not said to have believed this saying until they saw it fulfilled.

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o We must see John 14:26 in this …… 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. RSV

o This verse also says …… and they believed the Scripture.

This was probably an accumulation of Scripture in their minds …… that began to make sense only after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

• Old Testament passages like … Ps. 16:9-11 and Isaiah Chapter 53.

• As well as New Testament passages like:

o Matthew 11:38-42 ….. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. RSV

Consider also passages such as John 20:6-9 ….. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. RSV

• Full understanding by the disciples …. came when their knowledge of Scripture and the words that Jesus had earlier spoken came together after His death, burial and resurrection ….. and not before.

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o Their faith then became …… an unshakable and unquestionable faith.

• Guy N. Woods makes this comment …… “If to us the Lord’s disciples so often seem to have been without assurance and conviction regarding his ultimate death and future life beyond the grave we must ever keep in mind that deep within them was the view that Messiah would be an earthly king, over a temporal kingdom and exercise sovereignty from a literal Jerusalem; such concepts simply did not allow for the suffering and death he often mentioned but which they seemed not to perceive. Only when he had died and had triumphed over the grave and the powers of death were they able to admit that eyes were opened and they perceived that in so doing he did indeed fulfill the predictions of the Old Testament regarding their Messiah. Then, their faith flowered and they were able to recall his earlier statements to this end.”

- Wood’s also makes this application worth noting:

o He says …… “This evidences the fact that it is always good to store up scripture in our hearts though we may not fully grasp the significance at the moment. Weeks, months, even years later, other information we receive may cause the stored scripture to become lucid and plain. Teachers, and parents especially should keep this important truth in mind. Lessons today taught to impressionable youngsters may germinate into practical lessons of conduct years later, and after the teacher has gone to be with the Lord.”

23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

- The “Passover” …… was the first of three huge feasts of the Jews.

o The other two great feasts ……. were Tabernacles and Pentecost.

o Again ….. The “Passover” lasted approximately a week …. and all male Jews were required to attend.

o A great multitude was present in Jerusalem …… from all parts of Judea.

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- It seems evident ……. that the Lord took great advantage of this first “Passover” of His earthly ministry.

o The “signs” had a very positive affect …… but we are not given any detailed information about them.

o John simply says ….. many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

o And we remember …… John 20:30-31 …… 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. RSV

This was the one of the major purposes for these signs.

24But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,

- John says …… “Jesus did not commit Himself to them”

o The RSV says …… 24 but Jesus did not trust himself to them

Guy N. Wood’s makes this comment …… “The word “trust” in verse 24 is translated from the same Greek word as “believed” in verse 22. These Jews of Jerusalem, unable to deny the reality of the miracles which he performed, did indeed “believe” but they apparently lacked the deep, abiding conviction men must have to follow Jesus, and consequently he did not trust them. Theirs appears to have been more of an intellectual acceptance of him as a teacher and not full and complete trust in him as a person. Because of this shallow and superficial disposition they were not worthy of confidence. Being possessed of supernatural knowledge he was able to look into the innermost recesses of the heart and know what was there. (John 1:42, 47, 48; 4:29, 6:61; 21:17)”

- It seems obvious that many believed in Him …. because of the miracles (signs).

o Responding to a miracle is one thing …… but it is quite another thing to commit oneself to Jesus Christ and continue in His Word.

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John 8:30–32 …… 30 As he spoke thus, many believed in him. 31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” RSV

John 6:63 ….. 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. RSV

Luke 14:28-29 …… 28“For which of you, intending to build

a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29“lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him NKJV

- Throughout John’s Gospel …… he makes it clear that it takes more than believing in miracles for a person to be saved.

o Seeing the signs and believing in them ……. makes for a great beginning.

o Even His first disciples started that way …….and their faith grew.

John 2:11….. 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him. RSV

John 2:20-22 ….. 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. RSV

o The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series" offers this comment ……. “It is important to see that Jesus tied His miracles to the truth of His message. He knew that the human heart is attracted to the sensational. The 5,000 that He fed wanted to make Him King—until He preached a sermon on the Bread of Life, and then they left Him in droves! “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). In grace, Jesus fed the hungry; in truth, He taught the Word. The people wanted the physical food but not the spiritual truth, so they abandoned Him.”

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The sudden wave of popularity was exactly that (a sudden wave) ……. and Jesus was not deceived by it.

• He knew …… that people are fickle.

• He knew ……. how public opinion could change in a heart beat.

• He knew …… about mob mentality.

- To say …… “He knew all men” …… was a powerful statement.

o But he proved it ……. time and time again.

He knew …… what Nathanael was like (John 1:46ff) (“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”)

He told the Samaritan woman ……. “all things” that she had ever done (John 4:29).

He knew …… that the Jewish leaders did not have God’s love in their hearts (John 5:42),

And that one of His disciples …… was not truly a believer (John 6:70). (“Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”) RSV

25and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

- The NLT says ….. 25 No one needed to tell him about human nature.

o The Lord’s perfect knowledge of the human heart …….is another evidence of His deity.

Only God ……. can see the inner person.

- I couldn’t help but remember this passage in Psalms when I read the end of this verse which says …. for He knew what was in man.

o Psalms 103:6-18 ….. 6Jehovah executeth righteous acts, And judgments for all that are oppressed. 7He made known his ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel. 8Jehovah is merciful and

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gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. 9He will not always chide; Neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins, Nor rewarded us after our iniquities. 11For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more. 17But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children; 18To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them. RSV

- Verses 23 thru 25 of this chapter …… prepare us for the important interview with Nicodemus recorded in the next chapter.

o The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series" makes this statement ……. “As you follow our Lord’s ministry in John’s Gospel, you see Him moving gradually out of the bright light of popularity and into the dark shadows of rejection. At the beginning, it was easy for people to follow the crowd and watch His miracles. But then, His words began to penetrate hearts, with conviction following; and conviction leads either to conversion or opposition. It is impossible to be neutral. People had to decide, and most of them decided against Him.”

o Notice also ……. that Jesus speaks here of man, and knowing him, and then John immediately picks up in chapter 3 by saying ….. “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

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2The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

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