Swindoll Study Bible - Book of John - Flipbook - Page 18
1279
J ohn 2 : 8
CANA
Water into Wine
in God’s Time
JOHN 2
Capernaum
Sea of
Galilee
Cana
Mediterranean Nazareth
Sea
Jordan
River
ISRAEL
Hebron
JORDAN
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Dead
Sea
Archaeologists have found ruins from the ancient village of Cana
on this hill.
THE MOST LIKELY SITE for what the Bible calls Cana in Galilee is Khirbet Qana in
the Bet Netofa Valley, which fits the location given by Josephus (The Life of Flavius
Josephus 16.86). In antiquity, this beautiful
east–
west valley served as a major
passageway from Tiberias to Ptolemais (Acco), and the valley used to have swamps
with reeds. In fact, the name Cana means “reed.”
Archaeologists have found caves, cisterns, stone vessels, a Roman public building, houses, and a dovecote at Cana. Located eight miles northeast of Nazareth, Cana
was the hometown of Nathaniel (John 21:2). Here Jesus performed His first miracle,
turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). When He returned to Cana, a government official from Capernaum implored Jesus to heal his son, and Jesus granted his request
(John 4:46-54).
John calls Jesus’ first miracle a “miraculous sign,” showing that Jesus’ miracles had
a purpose. They pointed to something beyond the wonders themselves. This particular sign may have related to the prophecy of the tribe of Judah and its Messianic
promise signaled by an abundance of wine (Gen. 49:11-12), and it occasioned the
first gentle shove Jesus would receive from His followers to get God’s Kingdom rolling.
Mary mentioning the need for wine may have had Messianic i mplications, especially
in light of Jesus’ response—“My time has not yet come” (John 2:4). Turning water
into wine for a wedding was one thing. Starting the Kingdom of God before its time
was another. This miracle revealed Jesus’ glory. What was the result? “His disciples
believed in him” (John 2:11).
Jesus’ response reveals that the blessings He promises for all believers will come
only in God’s time. In the meantime, He has revealed His glory to us to give us faith
and hope in Him.
