New International Version and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside New Living Translation When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. English Standard Version When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom Berean Standard Bible and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside Berean Literal Bible And as the master of the feast tasted the water that has become wine, and he did not know from where it is—but the servants having drawn the water knew—the master of the feast calls the bridegroom King James Bible When 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, New King James Version When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. New American Standard Bible Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom, NASB 1995 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, NASB 1977 And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, Legacy Standard Bible Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, Amplified Bible And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had turned into wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) he called the bridegroom, Berean Annotated Bible and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants {diakonoi} who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside Christian Standard Bible When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom Holman Christian Standard Bible When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom American Standard Version And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, Contemporary English Version and the man in charge drank some of the water that had now turned into wine. He did not know where the wine had come from, but the servants did. He called the bridegroom over English Revised Version And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, GOD'S WORD® Translation The person in charge tasted the water that had become wine. He didn't know where it had come from, although the servers who had poured the water knew. The person in charge called the groom Good News Translation which now had turned into wine, and he tasted it. He did not know where this wine had come from (but, of course, the servants who had drawn out the water knew); so he called the bridegroom International Standard Version When the man in charge of the banquet tasted the water that had become wine (without knowing where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called for the bridegroom NET Bible When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom New Heart English Bible When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, Webster's Bible Translation When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the servants who drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, Weymouth New Testament So they carried some to him. And no sooner had the President tasted the water now turned into wine, than--not knowing where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn the water knew--he called to the bridegroom Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside World English Bible When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd as the headwaiter tasted the water become wine, and did not know where it is from (but the servants knew, who have drawn the water), the headwaiter calls the bridegroom, Berean Literal Bible And as the master of the feast tasted the water that has become wine, and he did not know from where it is—but the servants having drawn the water knew—the master of the feast calls the bridegroom Young's Literal Translation And as the director of the apartment tasted the water become wine, and knew not whence it is, (but the ministrants knew, who have drawn the water,) the director of the feast doth call the bridegroom, Smith's Literal Translation And when the superintendent of the feast tasted the wine having been water, and knew not whence it is: (and the servants knew, having drawn the water;) the superintendent calls the bridegroom, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, Catholic Public Domain Version Then, when the chief steward had tasted the water made into wine, since he did not know where it was from, for only the servants who had drawn the water knew, the chief steward called the groom, New American Bible And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom New Revised Standard Version When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the chief guest tasted the water that had become wine, he did not know whence it had come; but the helpers knew, who had drawn the water. Then the chief guest called the bridegroom Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when The Master of Ceremonies tasted that water that had become wine, and did not know from where it was, ( but the servants knew, for they had filled them with water ) the Master of Ceremonies called the bridegroom, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhen the governor of the feast had tasted the water that had been made wine, (and he knew not whence it was, but the servants that had drawn the water knew,) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and said to him: Godbey New Testament and they brought it to him. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water, having been made wine, and did not know whence it is (but the servants having drawn the water knew), the ruler calls the groom, Haweis New Testament And when the president of the table had tasted the water become wine, and knew not whence it came: (but the waiters knew, who drew the water;) the president of the table called the bridegroom, Mace New Testament as soon as the steward had tasted the water that was made wine, (for he did not know whence it came, but the servants who drew the water knew it,) he called the bridegroom, Weymouth New Testament So they carried some to him. And no sooner had the President tasted the water now turned into wine, than--not knowing where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn the water knew--he called to the bridegroom Worrell New Testament When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calls the bridegroom, Worsley New Testament And when the manager of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants, that drew the water, knew,) he called the bride-groom, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Wedding at Cana…8“Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”… Cross References and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. Luke 5:37-39 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. / Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins. / And no one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’” Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine. Psalm 104:14-15 He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: / wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. He did not know where it was from, Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! but the servants who had drawn the water knew. John 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. John 14:21 Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” 1 John 2:3-5 By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Then he called the bridegroom aside Matthew 9:15 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Mark 2:19-20 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. John 4:46-54 So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. / When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. / Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” … John 6:11-14 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. … John 9:6-7 When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing. John 11:43-44 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them. Treasury of Scripture When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, the water that. John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. but. John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Jump to Previous Attendants Banquet Bridegroom Calls Carried Clear Director Drawn Drew Feast Feast-Master Governor Headwaiter Idea Master Ministrants Newly-Married President Realize Ruler Servants Sooner Tasted Tasting Turned Water Whence WineJump to Next Attendants Banquet Bridegroom Calls Carried Clear Director Drawn Drew Feast Feast-Master Governor Headwaiter Idea Master Ministrants Newly-Married President Realize Ruler Servants Sooner Tasted Tasting Turned Water Whence WineJohn 2 1. Jesus turns water into wine;12. departs into Capernaum, 13. and to Jerusalem, 14. where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers. 18. He foretells his death and resurrection. 23. Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them. and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. The master of the banquet supervised the wedding feast and was responsible for the quality and order of the provisions. When he tasted the wine, he encountered the completed result of Jesus’ miracle: real water had become real wine. The abundance and quality of the wine displayed Jesus’ authority over creation and brought unexpected provision to the celebration. Luk 5:37-39 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.… He did not know where it was from, The master of the banquet recognized the excellence of the wine but did not know how it had been provided. Jesus’ glory was not publicly explained at the feast, and the miracle remained known only to those directly involved. Ecc 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind,… but the servants who had drawn the water knew. The servants had filled the jars and drawn out the water at Jesus’ command. Their obedience placed them among the first witnesses of the sign, though they had not been told beforehand what Jesus would do. Jhn 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know… Then he called the bridegroom aside Since the bridegroom was responsible for supplying the feast, the master of the banquet spoke to him privately about the unexpected wine. The bridegroom received credit for a provision he had not made, while Jesus’ work remained largely concealed. Mat 9:15 Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn… Persons / Places / Events 1. Master of the BanquetThe individual responsible for overseeing the wedding feast, ensuring everything is in order. He is unaware of the miracle that has occurred. 2. Servants They are the ones who filled the jars with water and witnessed the transformation into wine. Their role highlights the importance of obedience and service. 3. Bridegroom The person being celebrated at the wedding. He is called aside by the master of the banquet, unaware of the miraculous provision. 4. Wedding at Cana The setting of Jesus' first recorded miracle, symbolizing the beginning of His public ministry and the revelation of His divine authority. 5. Jesus Though not directly mentioned in this verse, He is the central figure who performs the miracle, demonstrating His power and compassion. Teaching Points Obedience in ServiceThe servants' role in the miracle underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our service to God. Even when we do not understand His plans, our obedience can lead to miraculous outcomes. Divine Provision Jesus' transformation of water into wine illustrates God's ability to provide abundantly for our needs, often in unexpected ways. Trust in His provision is essential. Revealing Glory This miracle is a revelation of Jesus' glory and divine nature. As believers, we are called to recognize and testify to His work in our lives. Joy in Christ The transformation of water into wine at a wedding feast symbolizes the joy and celebration found in a relationship with Christ. Our faith should be marked by joy and gratitude. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 2:9?2. How does John 2:9 demonstrate Jesus' divine authority over natural elements? 3. What can we learn about faith from the servants' actions in John 2:9? 4. How does John 2:9 connect to Old Testament miracles of provision? 5. How can we apply the principle of obedience seen in John 2:9 today? 6. What does the transformation of water to wine teach about Jesus' transformative power in lives? 7. How does John 2:9 demonstrate Jesus' divine authority through the miracle of turning water into wine? 8. What is the significance of the water-to-wine miracle in the context of Jewish purification rituals? 9. How does John 2:9 challenge the belief in Jesus' humanity and divinity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 2? (9) Water that was made wine.--Better, water that had become wine. At what moment did the transformation take place? What water became wine? The text itself does not speak of "water now become wine" until the ruler of the feast tasted it, and immediately afterwards speaks of it as "water," when the servants drew it, for the plain reference of the parenthesis in brackets is to the drawing of the water from the pitchers (John 2:8), not to a previous drawing of water to place in the pitchers, which has not been even hinted at. Unless, then, there is a strong reason which does not appear in these words, this simple meaning is the true one;--that the change took place during or after the drawing from the pitchers, and that that portion only was changed which was carried to the ruler and actually needed to supply the guests. The reason based upon the mention of the number and contents of the pitchers (John 2:6) is certainly not a strong one. It is quite natural to find these stated in the picturesque style of this Gospel, and there is no care to give more than a rough estimate of the size from a remembrance either of these pitchers or of pitchers generally used for this purpose. There is more force in the general impression derived from John 2:7. It may be fairly asked why was more water placed in readiness than was needed? But the pitchers would be in any case re-filled for ablutions after the feast. They were at hand, meeting the eye. All possibility of collusion is thus excluded. They had been used not long before; they would very soon be used again. The filling of all leaves to the servants the choice of one or more from which to draw. There is an unfailing potential supply; it becomes an actual supply only when needed and appropriated by human want. This, as every supernatural work, is made to depend upon faith. There is no demand for this faith in filling water-pots with water; it is otherwise when they draw it, and bear it in the usual tankard to the ruler, in answer to the demand for wine. Here, as everywhere in divine action, there is an economy in the use of power. There is no miracle of "luxury" or "waste" or "excess." These cavils of the higher criticism are--like the additions of expositors, as that the feast lasted for a week or more, or their perversions, as that the wine was in no sense intoxicating--superstructures without a foundation.Verse 9. - When the governor of the feast tasted the water which had become wine. Luther translated, "Den Wein der Wasser gewesen war" - "The wine which had been water." No other explanation is possible than one that asserts an astounding contravention of the ordinary evolutions and sequences of nature. If wine has taken the place of water, there has been added to the water that which was not there before. The vine, with all its wondrous processes - the vineyard, the wine press, and other appliances - have all been dispensed with, and the same power which said, "Let there be light," called these additional elements together, originated them by his will. The new properties presented themselves to the percipient senses. In this respect the transformation is profoundly different from the supposed change which occurs in the Holy Eucharist. There the accidents and elements all remain; the substantia underlying them is supposed to be replaced by another substantia; but neither the one nor the other substance has ever been present to the senses. Here a new substance, with previously undiscovered attributes, presents itself. The uncompromising opponents of the supernatural will accept almost any interpretation but that which lies on the surface. The rationalistic, mythical, poetic mystic explanations all alike are encumbered with special difficulties. The evangelist who held Christ to be the Logos incarnate saw nothing inconceivable in the event. It was one of many phenomena which accompanied his life as the "Son of man," which helped to create the underlying presupposition on which the Gospel was written. Like the testimony of the last of the prophets and the earliest of the disciples, it is part of the evidence that the Logos dwelt among us. When the governor tasted wine drawn from these water pots, and knew not whence it was. He had known all the resources of the feast, but this puzzled him by its novelty. "Whence has it come? Where has it been stored? Whose is it?" An interesting parenthesis is here introduced, to contrast the ignorance of the ruler of the feast with the overwhelming mystery of knowledge given to the servants (the disciples of Jesus himself), [But the servants (διάκονοι) who drew the water knew]; knew, i.e., whence it was and, it seems to me, what it was. Meyer and others say they did not know that they had brought wine. It is impossible to assert as much as this. They knew the plain fact that it was not a wine vat or wine cask, but a water jar, from which they had drawn in order to fill the chalices in their hands. They became, therefore, guarantors of the mysterious sign. How much more than "whence" it was had dawned on their mind we cannot say. The governor of the feast calleth the bridegroom. We may judge from this that this responsible person was not in the room where the six water jars were placed, and that he either approached the bridegroom in his seat of honour, or called to him from his own, and expressed, by a convivial boast and equivocal compliment, his sense of the excellence of the wine which had thus, at the end of the feast, been lavished on the guests, who had been hitherto kept strangely ignorant of the resources of the host. It is unnecessary to put into the words any meaning deeper than the epigrammatic humour in which he revealed his sense of the reality of the objective fact which had been brought to his knowledge. John 2:9 shows a literal, verifiable miracle that turned water into wine, exposed human unawareness of God’s work, honored obedient servants with inside knowledge, and graciously protected the bridegroom’s reputation. The verse teaches that Christ’s glory shines through tangible acts, while humility and obedience open eyes to see Him. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek andδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. master of the banquet ἀρχιτρίκλινος (architriklinos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 755: From arche and a compound of treis and klino; director of the entertainment. tasted ἐγεύσατο (egeusato) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1089: (a) I taste, (b) I experience. A primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. water ὕδωρ (hydōr) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively. that had been turned into γεγενημένον (gegenēmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. wine. οἶνον (oinon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3631: Wine. A primary word (yayin); 'wine'. He did not know ᾔδει (ēdei) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. where πόθεν (pothen) Adverb Strong's 4159: From the base of posis with enclitic adverb of origin; from which or what place, state, source or cause. it was {from}, ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. servants διάκονοι (diakonoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor. who οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. had drawn ἠντληκότες (ēntlēkotes) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 501: To draw (generally water from a deep well in the ground); perhaps: I draw out. From antlos; to bale up, i.e. Dip water. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. water ὕδωρ (hydōr) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively. knew. ᾔδεισαν (ēdeisan) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. Then ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [he] ἀρχιτρίκλινος (architriklinos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 755: From arche and a compound of treis and klino; director of the entertainment. called φωνεῖ (phōnei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5455: From phone; to emit a sound; by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. bridegroom [aside] νυμφίον (nymphion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3566: A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom. Additonal Resources John 2:9 Blue Letter BibleJohn 2:9 Bible Gateway John 2:9 Bible.com John 2:9 NIV |
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