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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_2:1-11
A. Jesus was so different from other religious leaders of His day. He ate and drank with the common people. While John the Baptist was a private person from the desert, Jesus was a public person with the common people.
B. His first sign was so domestic, so familial! Care and concern for the common person characterize Jesus as His anger toward the self-righteous religionists reflects the other side of His character. The priority of people, not traditions or mandatory rituals, reveals Jesus' freedom, yet reverence for cultural expectations.
C. This is the first of seven signs which John uses to reveal Jesus' character and power (chapters 2-11).
1. water into wine (Joh_2:1-11)
2. healing of boy (Joh_4:46-54)
3. healing of lame man (Joh_5:1-18)
4. feeding of the multitude (Joh_6:1-15)
5. walking on water (Joh_6:16-21)
6. healing of blind man (Joh_9:1-41)
7. raising of Lazarus (Joh_11:1-57)
D. John's Gospel is not structured chronologically but theologically. Chapter 2 is a good example. Initially, John deals with Jesus trying to reach the Jews (both their leaders and the common people) but they would not believe/receive. Because of the entrenched unbelief and religious self-righteousness, Jesus rejected Judaism
1. the six washing jars, filled to the brim, represent Judaism which Jesus changes
2. the cleansing of the temple, (which chronologically happened at the beginning of the last week of Jesus' life) is recorded early as an initial theological marker of His rejection of the Jewish leadership.
Another good example of John's textual design is Nicodemus (Mr. Religion) of chapter 3 and the woman at the well (Miss Irreligion) of chapter 4. Here are "bookends" for all people.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did Jesus turn the water into wine? What did it symbolize?
2. Describe the marriage customs of Jesus' day.
3. Can you draw the floor plan of Herod's temple? Can you show the probable location of the buyers and sellers?
4. Why do the Synoptics not record this initial cleansing of the temple?
5. Did Jesus predict the destruction of Herod's temple?
6. Define and explain the Greek word which is translated "trust," "believe" and "faith."