John 2:1-12
A Wedding in Cana
Read the passage
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.
3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”
4“Woman, what is that to you and to Me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
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.
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
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!”
11Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
12After this, He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there a few days.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
On the third day there is a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother is there. Jesus and His disciples are also invited. When the wine runs out, Mary tells Jesus that there is no more wine.
Jesus answers that His hour has not yet come. His mother tells the servants to do whatever He says. Six stone water jars stand there for Jewish purification, each holding a large amount.
Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars with water and draw some out for the master of the feast. The water has become wine. The master does not know where it came from, but the servants know. He remarks that the good wine has been kept until now.
John calls this the first of Jesus' signs: it reveals His glory, and His disciples believe in Him. The master of the banquet praises the wine without knowing its source, while the disciples are learning who Jesus is. The gift meets a need at the celebration, but its meaning reaches beyond a successful feast. Jesus has done what the hosts and servants could not do for themselves.
Mary brings the shortage to Him, yet His answer makes clear that His hour is not hers to set. Her next words direct the servants to obey Him. The account gives us room to bring ordinary needs to Jesus while trusting Him to decide how to act. After the wedding, He goes to Capernaum with His mother, brothers, and disciples for a few days.
Questions
1 What problem arises at the wedding?
AnswerThe wedding runs out of wine, a serious social embarrassment for the family hosting the celebration.
2 What does Mary tell the servants?
AnswerShe tells them to do whatever Jesus says. She brings the need to Jesus and leaves the response in His hands.
3 What happens to the water in the six jars?
AnswerJesus turns the water in six purification jars into wine, and the master of the feast praises its quality.
4 What does the sign reveal?
AnswerIt reveals Jesus' glory, and His disciples believe in Him. The sign points beyond the provision to His identity.
What This Means for Us
Jesus' first sign takes place at a wedding, where a family faces an ordinary but painful shortage. His glory is not detached from hospitality, embarrassment, celebration, and the care of people who are running out.
Mary models a quiet way to bring need to Jesus, while the servants obey before they understand the outcome. Families can act faithfully in small crises without demanding control over the timing of God's work.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, meet our household in ordinary needs and hidden embarrassment. Give us Mary's trust, the servants' obedience, and grateful faith when Your provision reveals more of who You are. Amen.