ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for John 2

John 2:1 This is the third day—that is, two days after Jesus met Nathanael (1:43–51).

John 2:3 The wedding party’s running out of wine may symbolize the spiritual drought of first-century Judaism. Wine (but never drunkenness) was a sign of joy and God’s blessing (Prov. 3:10; Matt. 26:29).

John 2:4 My hour has not yet come. In John, Jesus’ “hour” is the time of his crucifixion, when his saving work is completed (see 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 27; 13:1; 17:1). Because of people’s misconceptions about the coming Messiah, Jesus chooses not to reveal himself at this point in his ministry. Still, he performs numerous messianic “signs” (see note on 2:11).

John 2:11 signs. Miracles (see vv. 6–10; 4:47–50; 6:13; 9:1–7) that point to Jesus’ identity as Messiah and Son of God and lead unbelievers to faith. The statement that this was the first of his signs indicates that Jesus did not do any miracles during his childhood or early adulthood but lived as an ordinary man with his divine identity hidden. and manifested his glory. This miracle showed the glory of Jesus as the sovereign Creator and ruler of the universe and also as the merciful Provider for his people’s needs (compare 1:14).

John 2:12 went down. Cana was in the hill country. Capernaum was at the Sea of Galilee, about 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Cana. Capernaum served as Jesus’ headquarters after John the Baptist’s imprisonment (Matt. 4:12–13; Luke 4:28–31).

John 2:13–22 Matthew, Mark, and Luke record a second clearing of the temple, just prior to the crucifixion (see Mark 11:15–19 and parallels). By clearing the temple, Jesus displays prophetic passion for God’s house (John 2:17; compare Ps. 69:9). He also foreshadows judgment on the Jewish leaders who had allowed worship to deteriorate into commerce (see note on John 2:14).

John 2:13 This is the first of John’s references to the Jewish Passover (see 6:4; 11:55; 12:1; compare Ex. 12:1–28). John also mentions Jesus’ activities at an unnamed Jewish festival in John 5:1 (possibly Tabernacles), at the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) in 7:2, and at the Feast of Dedication (or Hanukkah) in 10:22. went up. Jerusalem was on a higher elevation than Galilee.

John 2:14 Temple here means the area surrounding the temple itself, including the Court of the Gentiles. By selling oxen, sheep, and pigeons, the merchants and the money-changers enabled travelers to Jerusalem to buy their sacrificial animals on-site. By conducting their business in the temple grounds, however, they disrupted the worship of non-Jewish God-fearers (see note on 12:20).

John 2:19 I will raise it up implies that Jesus himself had a part in raising himself from the dead (see note on 10:17). Other verses mention that the Father and the Holy Spirit were also involved in the resurrection (see 11:25; Acts 2:24; Rom. 6:4; Gal. 1:1; also Rom. 1:4; 8:11).

John 2:20 forty-six years. Herod the Great’s construction of the temple building (see note on v. 14) lasted from 20/19 to 18/17 b.c. The larger temple area was not finished until a.d. 66. Some scholars favor an alternative translation: “This temple was built forty-six years ago” (see esv footnote), which would date this statement in a.d. 29/30, since there was no year “0.”

John 2:23–25 Jesus knew all people, which affirms his deity (see 1:48).