John 2:10

KJV

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Every {G3956} man {G444} at the beginning {G4412} doth set forth {G5087} good {G2570} wine {G3631}; and {G2532} when {G3752} men have well drunk {G3184}, then {G5119} that which is worse {G1640}: but thou {G4771} hast kept {G5083} the good {G2570} wine {G3631} until {G2193} now {G737}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to him, “Everyone else serves the good wine first and the poorer wine after people have drunk freely. But you have kept the good wine until now!”

Berean Standard Bible

and 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!”

American Standard Version

and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 2:10 captures the master of the feast's astonished commendation to the bridegroom at the wedding in Cana, praising him for an unprecedented reversal of custom: serving the finest wine last. Unbeknownst to the master, this superior wine was the miraculous creation of Jesus Christ from water, a sign highlighting the unparalleled quality and abundance of God's provision through Him, far exceeding human expectations and traditions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 2:10 is situated within the narrative of Jesus' first public miracle, performed at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. This event initiates Jesus' public ministry and is the first of seven "signs" recorded in John's Gospel, intended to reveal His glory and evoke faith. The verse immediately follows Jesus' command to the servants to fill six stone waterpots with water and then draw some out to take to the master of the feast ([John 2:6-8](/john/2-6-8 "John 2:6-8 - Jesus' Command and the Servants' Obedience")). The master's unaware praise in this verse sets the stage for the explicit declaration of the miracle's purpose in [John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - The First Sign and Its Impact"), where John states that Jesus "manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." This miracle serves as a bridge from Jesus' initial calling of disciples in [John 1](/john/1 "John 1 - The Word Became Flesh") to the commencement of His public ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Wedding feasts in ancient Israel were pivotal social and religious events, often lasting for several days, symbolizing joy, covenant, and new beginnings (cf. [Judges 14:12](/judges/14-12 "Judges 14:12 - Samson's Wedding Feast")). Running out of wine was a significant social disgrace, bringing shame upon the host family. The custom described by the master of the feast—serving the best wine first, then a lesser quality after guests had consumed a good amount—was a common and practical practice. It capitalized on the fact that guests' palates would be less discerning after a period of feasting and drinking. The presence of large stone waterpots, typically used for Jewish purification rituals ([John 2:6](/john/2-6 "John 2:6 - Waterpots for Purification")), further grounds the narrative in specific Jewish customs, subtly foreshadowing Jesus' role in fulfilling and transforming these traditions. The master of the feast (ἀρχιτρίκλινος, *architriklinos*) was a highly respected figure responsible for the banquet's smooth operation, making his unwitting commendation a powerful and credible testimony to the wine's exceptional quality.

* **Key Themes:** John 2:10 contributes significantly to several major themes in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Abundance and Superiority**. Jesus' provision is not merely sufficient but exceedingly lavish and of the highest quality, fundamentally reversing human expectations and practices. This highlights that God's grace and blessings, particularly through Christ, surpass all human limitations and standards. Secondly, the miracle signifies **The New Era in Christ and Transformation**. The transformation of water (associated with old covenant purification rites) into the finest wine symbolizes the inauguration of the New Covenant, bringing a richer, more joyful, and spiritually superior reality than the old ways. This resonates with Jesus' later teachings about [new wine requiring new wineskins](/matthew/9-17 "Matthew 9:17 - New Wine and New Wineskins"), indicating that His message and grace cannot be contained by outdated religious forms. Lastly, the event serves as a **Revelation of Glory and Faith**. As a "sign" (σημεῖον), it reveals Jesus' divine power and glory, leading His disciples to a deeper faith in Him ([John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - The First Sign and Its Impact")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _kalós'_):** The Greek word G2570 (*kalós*) denotes something that is not merely "good" in taste, but excellent in quality, morally beautiful, noble, and valuable. It distinguishes from *agathos*, which is more about intrinsic goodness. Here, it emphasizes the extraordinary, superior nature of the wine Jesus produced, signifying its perfection in appearance, taste, and overall quality.
* **well drunk (Greek, _methýō'_):** The Greek word G3184 (*methýō*) means to drink to intoxication or to get drunk. In this context, it implies that the guests had consumed a substantial amount of wine, reaching a point where their palates would be less discerning. The master's observation highlights that even with dulled senses, the superior quality of the "new" wine was undeniably evident, underscoring its remarkable excellence.
* **kept (Greek, _tēréō'_):** The Greek word G5083 (*tēréō*) means to guard, preserve, or withhold. The master's statement, "thou hast kept the good wine until now," implies an intentional act of preservation. This word choice, though ironic given the master's ignorance, perfectly describes Jesus' action: He intentionally "kept" or reserved the best for the final, climactic moment, demonstrating His divine sovereignty and the superior timing of His blessings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saith unto him,"**: This introduces the master of the feast's direct address to the bridegroom. The master, as the overseer of the banquet, speaks with authority and experience, making his subsequent commendation highly significant and credible, even though he is unaware of the true source of the wine.
* **"Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine;"**: This clause establishes the universal and practical custom of the time. Hosts would serve their highest quality wine first, when guests' senses were keenest and their appreciation for fine wine was at its peak. This sets the baseline for normal human practice, against which Jesus' action will be sharply contrasted.
* **"and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:"**: This part of the custom explains the rationale: after guests have consumed a significant amount of wine (to the point of satisfaction or diminished discernment), a lesser quality wine could be introduced without being noticed or causing complaint. This highlights the human tendency to manage resources by compromising quality over time.
* **"but thou hast kept the good wine until now."**: This is the master's astonished and effusive praise. He believes the bridegroom has defied tradition by reserving the *kalos oinos* (excellent wine) for the end of the feast. This statement, made in complete ignorance of Jesus' miraculous intervention, provides an objective, external validation of the wine's extraordinary quality, powerfully testifying to the superiority of Christ's provision.

#### Literary Devices
John 2:10 is rich with **Irony**, as the master of the feast praises the bridegroom for an act of generosity and foresight that was, in fact, Jesus' miracle. The master's commendation, intended for the bridegroom, unwittingly becomes a profound testimony to Christ's divine power and wisdom, creating dramatic irony for the reader who knows the full story. There is also a strong **Contrast** between common human practice and divine action. Human hosts serve the best first, then the worse, reflecting a diminishing return. In stark opposition, Jesus provides the best last, signifying an overflowing, ever-increasing abundance. This verse also employs **Symbolism**, where the "good wine" can be seen as representing the superior blessings of the New Covenant, the overflowing grace and truth brought by Christ, or even the ultimate eschatological joy. Finally, the event serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater spiritual blessings and the ultimate joy that Jesus brings to humanity, surpassing all prior expectations and covenants, and demonstrating that His way is always superior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 2:10 profoundly illustrates the nature of God's grace and provision in Christ. Unlike human endeavors, which often peak early and then decline, God's blessings in Jesus are consistently superior and culminate in ultimate goodness. This challenges a worldview that expects diminishing returns, instead pointing to a divine economy where the best is always yet to come, especially in the context of salvation and the Kingdom of God. It speaks to the transformative power of Christ, turning the ordinary (water) into the extraordinary (finest wine), signaling a new era of divine abundance and joy that far surpasses any human capacity or expectation. This miracle at Cana underscores that Christ's presence elevates and perfects every aspect of life, revealing a God who provides not just sufficiently, but lavishly and with unparalleled quality.

* [Isaiah 25:6](/isaiah/25-6 "Isaiah 25:6 - The Lord's Feast for All Peoples")
* [Matthew 9:17](/matthew/9-17 "Matthew 9:17 - New Wine and New Wineskins")
* [Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 2:10 offers immense encouragement and a powerful perspective for believers today. It reminds us that our walk with Christ is not one of diminishing returns, but of increasing glory and grace. When we feel that life's "wine" is running out, or that the best is behind us, this verse assures us that with Jesus, the finest is reserved for the present moment and for the future. It calls us to trust in His unfailing provision, to anticipate His surprising goodness, and to allow Him to transform our ordinary circumstances into extraordinary displays of His grace. This applies not only to grand miracles but also to the daily infusion of joy, peace, and spiritual nourishment that He provides, always surpassing our expectations. It invites us to live with an expectant faith, knowing that God's best is always yet to come in Christ, culminating in eternal glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God "saves the best for last," even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise?**
* **How does the superior quality of Jesus' wine challenge your current expectations of God's provision and blessings?**
* **What "ordinary water" in your life—whether routines, challenges, or aspirations—might Jesus be waiting to transform into "good wine" for His glory and your joy?**

### FAQ
**Why did the master of the feast not know where the wine came from?**

Answer: The master of the feast was unaware of the wine's miraculous origin because only the servants who drew the water and then presented it to him knew about Jesus' specific instructions ([John 2:7-8](/john/2-7-8 "John 2:7-8 - Jesus' Command to the Servants")). Jesus performed the miracle discreetly, not for public spectacle but as a "sign" to manifest His glory to His disciples. This highlights that God often works in ways that are not immediately obvious to all, yet His hand is undeniably evident in the outcome and the quality of His provision.

**What does "when men have well drunk" mean? Does it imply drunkenness?**

Answer: The Greek word *methýō* (G3184), translated as "well drunk," can indeed imply intoxication. However, in this context, it primarily refers to having drunk sufficiently or freely, to the point of satisfaction or dulled discernment. The custom of serving lesser wine later was based on the practical observation that after a good amount of consumption, guests' palates would be less sensitive to a drop in quality. The emphasis is on the quantity consumed and the resulting state of the guests' senses, not necessarily a state of complete inebriation, though that was a potential outcome. The crucial point is that even with dulled senses, the superior quality of Jesus' wine was so undeniable that it astonished the master of the feast.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 2:10, through the master's unwitting commendation, powerfully points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's lavish provision and the inaugurator of a new, superior reality. The "good wine" saved for last is a profound metaphor for the superior blessings of the New Covenant, which far surpass the former covenant and any human expectation. While the Old Covenant offered a taste of God's goodness and prepared the way, it was but a prelude to the full, overflowing grace and truth that came through [Jesus Christ](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ"). He is the true Bridegroom who brings the ultimate joy and celebration, transforming the ordinary water of human existence and religious ritual into the richest spiritual wine. This miracle foreshadows the eschatological banquet, the [Marriage Supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), where the finest of God's blessings will be fully realized in His presence. With Christ, the best is always yet to come, culminating in eternal life and glory found in Him, a life that is [abundant and overflowing](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Proverbs 9:1

¶ Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

Proverbs 9:6

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Luke 16:25

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Genesis 43:34

And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,