Ferrar Fenton Bible: John 2

The Marriage at Cana

Three days later there was a marriage at Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was present; and Jesus was invited to the marriage, with His disciples. And when the wine ran short, Jesus was spoken to by His mother, who said to Him:

“They have no more wine.”

Jesus, in reply to her, said: “What is that to you and Me, mother? My time has not yet come.”

His mother then said to the attendants: “Whatever He bids you, let it be done.”

Jesus said to them: “Fill the jars with water.”

They accordingly filled them to the brim. He said to them:

“Now pour out, and take it to the master of the festival.”

And when the master of the festival had tasted the water, which had become wine (not knowing where it came from, although the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom, and said to him:

“A man usually serves out the best wine at the beginning, reserving the inferior until the guests have tasted; but you have kept the best wine until now.”

This, as a beginning of His evidences, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and displayed His majesty; and His disciples believed in Him. After that, He went down to Capernaum, Himself, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and stayed there not many days.

First Visit to Jerusalem

Now when the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And entering the temple, He found dealers in oxen, and sheep, and pigeons, as well as money-brokers transacting their business. Then, having made a whip of cords, He drove all out of the temple, including the sheep and oxen; and He scattered the money of the brokers, overturning their stands; and said to the pigeon-dealers:

“Take these outside; do not turn My Father’s house into a market.”

His disciples were then reminded that it was written: “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”¹

The Jews then addressed Him, asking: “What proof do You show us for doing this?”

“Demolish this temple,” Jesus answered, “and in three days I will rear it.”

“This temple has been building for forty-six years,” replied the Judeans; “and will You rear it in three days?”`

He, however, spoke about the temple of His body. Afterwards, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this; and they believed the Scriptures, as well as the statement of Jesus.

Jesus and the People

Now while He was among those of Jerusalem, at the feast of the Passover, many believed on His Name, seeing the proofs which He gave. Jesus, on His part, however, did not trust Himself to them; because He knew all: and because He had no need that anyone should give Him evidence about man; for He Himself knew what was in man.