Water Into Wine Bible Study John 2

[KeptByTheWord]

Our homegroup was studying John 2 tonight, and some interesting questions came out of the study. Here is the passage in our discussion:

The Wedding at Cana

1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Here are some of the questions we discussed:

1. Did people in those days have access to stills to further purify the wine into a higher alcohol content? What possibly could have been the alcohol content of the wine in those days?

2. Why do you think this was one of the first miracles Jesus chose to perform?

3. What lesson can we learn from this particular passage?

4. The scripture says that this manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." Why would it take turning water into wine to have his disciples believe on him?


Thoughts/comments?

[Pressing-On]

I thought it was pretty amazing that the containers simply held water, until time to serve. And look at Mary’s faith - She tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

She knew He would provide the wine. How did she know He would do that?

[mfblume]

I often thought of how it was a wedding, which typifies the church as the bride, getting the baptism of the Spirit.

6 is the number of man, and immersing us (6) as earthen containers, being made from dust of the earth, so that we can have God's Spirit inside of us. So we see baptism in water and Baptism in the Spirit as well!

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I thought it was pretty amazing that the containers simply held water, until time to serve. And look at Mary’s faith - She tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

She knew He would provide the wine. How did she know He would do that?

He was being obedient to His mom

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I thought it was pretty amazing that the containers simply held water, until time to serve. And look at Mary’s faith - She tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

She knew He would provide the wine. How did she know He would do that?

She had seen Jesus teaching in the temple when he was 12. And then we know nothing more of what she had seen until he was 33. I always wonder about those silent years, and what she had seen. I'm sure in her mind, she was anxious and ready for the miraculous to begin.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I often thought of how it was a wedding, which typifies the church as the bride, getting the baptism of the Spirit.

6 is the number of man, and immersing us (6) as earthen containers, being made from dust of the earth, so that we can have God's Spirit inside of us. So we see baptism in water and Baptism in the Spirit as well!

Very interesting parallel!

And the best of the wine, this wine that Jesus made, was served last. Do you think that there is any correlation here to perhaps in the last days, the best of what God has in store for the church is waiting to be poured out for us?

[Esaias]

John details events with specific theological teaching purposes.

John 1-7 contain constant references to water, often in connection with baptism, conversion, the Spirit, divinely provided food, etc.
In John 1 Jesus is baptised in water. In John 2 He turns water into wine at a marriage. In John 3 He discusses being born of water and Spirit. In John 4 the issue of baptism and conversion comes up, then in Samaria He speaks of water that causes one to never thirst. In John 5 there is the supposed healing waters of the pool Bethesda and Jesus heals a lame man. In John 6 He goes over the sea Tiberias , feeds 5000 people, walks on the water, and talks about bread from heaven. In John 7 at Tabernacles during the ritual pouring of the water He cries out about drinking the water He offers which is eternal life.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esaias

John details events with specific theological teaching purposes.

John 1-7 contain constant references to water, often in connection with baptism, conversion, the Spirit, divinely provided food, etc.
In John 1 Jesus is baptised in water. In John 2 He turns water into wine at a marriage. In John 3 He discusses being born of water and Spirit. In John 4 the issue of baptism and conversion comes up, then in Samaria He speaks of water that causes one to never thirst. In John 5 there is the supposed healing waters of the pool Bethesda and Jesus heals a lame man. In John 6 He goes over the sea Tiberias , feeds 5000 people, walks on the water, and talks about bread from heaven. In John 7 at Tabernacles during the ritual pouring of the water He cries out about drinking the water He offers which is eternal life.

Excellent, thanks for that synopsis. We are working our way through the book of John. Interesting that the beginning miracles of Jesus included references to water.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Esaias

John details events with specific theological teaching purposes.

John 1-7 contain constant references to water, often in connection with baptism, conversion, the Spirit, divinely provided food, etc.
In John 1 Jesus is baptised in water. In John 2 He turns water into wine at a marriage. In John 3 He discusses being born of water and Spirit. In John 4 the issue of baptism and conversion comes up, then in Samaria He speaks of water that causes one to never thirst. In John 5 there is the supposed healing waters of the pool Bethesda and Jesus heals a lame man. In John 6 He goes over the sea Tiberias , feeds 5000 people, walks on the water, and talks about bread from heaven. In John 7 at Tabernacles during the ritual pouring of the water He cries out about drinking the water He offers which is eternal life.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I often thought of how it was a wedding, which typifies the church as the bride, getting the baptism of the Spirit.

6 is the number of man, and immersing us (6) as earthen containers, being made from dust of the earth, so that we can have God's Spirit inside of us. So we see baptism in water and Baptism in the Spirit as well!

Interesting!