27.1 Three days after calling his first five disciples, Jesus left to return to Galilee. His new disciples, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael went with him. They had been invited to a wedding. His mother, Mary, was already there. This incident was recorded by John, and not by Matthew, because Matthew was not there. He had not been called yet.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. John 2:1-2
27.2 Each of Jesus' new disciples came from Galilee in the first place anyway, so it made sense for them to tag along. Cana was close to Capernaum, and Bethsaida, where some of the disciples lived.
27.3 The wedding probably took place on a Wednesday, as was usual. The ceremony itself was rather short (all legal arrangements had been made months before). The bride was given to her husband, then a blessing was said. Afterwards the two were seated on a couch. At that moment the girl unloosed her hair. Palm and myrtle branches were brought before them and grain or money was spread at their feet. This was followed by a wedding parade, then feasting, dancing, and merry making. The celebrations had to end before Friday so the people could go home and get ready for the Sabbath, on Saturday.
27.4 Everything went well until the guests ran out of wine.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine. John 2:3
27.5 At first glance Jesus' reply to his mother seems to be impolite, but it was only his way of telling her that he would do something about it in his own time. And that she was no longer to act like his boss. He said,
Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. John 2:4
27.6 Mary understood and made no reply. She knew who he was, so she said to the servants,
Whatever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5
27.7 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
27.8 And he said to them, "Pour some out now, and take it to the man in charge of the feast." So they did that. John 2:8
27.9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that had become wine, he did not know where it came from. (But the servants knew.) Then the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, Everyone puts out the good wine first, and then, after people have had plenty of the good wine, they put out the other wine, that is not so good, but you have saved the best wine till now. John 2:9-10
27.10 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and showed his glory, and his disciples believed on him.
The Bible specifically says that this was Jesus' first miracle. There are a lot of stories that people have made up over the years claiming that Jesus did miracles while he was still a boy. The Bible says those stories are not true. Jesus did not do any miracles until after he began his public ministry, but then he did plenty. The miracle of turning the water into wine at the wedding of Cana was the first one.
27.11 The Bible says that Jesus' disciples believed on him as a result of this miracle. Believed what? Believed that he was indeed the Christ, the Messiah! the Son of God, and the Savior of the World.
27.12 The next verse in the Bible is rather surprising. John tells us that Jesus, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went to Capernaum, and stayed there for a while.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. John 2:12
The wedding probably took place early in the Fall of 26 AD. Right after the wedding, Jesus and his mother, brothers, and disciples went to Capernaum and stayed there until late Winter 27 AD. What were they doing? We do not know. No doubt Jesus was preparing his disciples for the difficult days ahead, or perhaps they were working to get some money laid aside, or maybe they had some other business to do. It may be that John's brother, James, joined the group of disciples at this time.
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