John 2:3

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

And {G2532} when they wanted {G5302} wine {G3631}, the mother {G3384} of Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto {G4314} him {G846}, They have {G2192} no {G3756} wine {G3631}.

The wine ran out, and Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”

And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

John 2:3 sets the stage for Jesus' first public miracle, occurring at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. This verse highlights a crucial moment of need and introduces the significant role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in bringing this need to her Son's attention.

Context of the Wedding at Cana

In ancient Near Eastern culture, a wedding was a multi-day celebration marked by immense hospitality. Running out of wine would have been a catastrophic social embarrassment for the host family, bringing great shame. It would signify a failure in providing for their guests and upholding cultural norms of generosity. Mary, likely a close relative or friend of the family, notices this impending crisis and discreetly informs Jesus. This immediate need provides the backdrop for Jesus' initial involvement in the Cana wedding.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Perception of Need: Mary's observation ("They have no wine") demonstrates her awareness of the situation and perhaps her compassionate concern for the hosts' reputation.
  • Mary's Expectation: Her direct address to Jesus suggests an implicit trust in His ability to intervene, even though His public ministry had not yet begun. This foreshadows His divine power.
  • Setting the Stage for Divine Provision: This verse creates the tension that necessitates a miraculous solution, leading directly to Jesus' transformation of water into wine, a powerful display of His glory and the beginning of His signs.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "when they wanted wine" (KJV) simply means "when they ran out of wine" or "when the wine ran short." The Greek word for "wanted" here (ὑστερήσαντος - hysteresantos) implies a deficiency or a coming short, not merely a desire. It accurately describes the embarrassing predicament the hosts faced, emphasizing the complete lack of this essential beverage.

Practical Application

This verse offers a simple yet profound lesson for believers today. Just as Mary brought a practical, everyday problem to Jesus, we are invited to bring all our needs—big or small, spiritual or temporal—to Him. Her action models a profound trust in Jesus' ability to provide and intervene in our circumstances. It reminds us that Jesus cares about the mundane details of life and is able to meet our needs, often in ways that surpass our expectations, demonstrating His grace and power. We are encouraged to present our concerns to the Lord, trusting in His perfect timing and provision, much like Paul encourages us to cast our anxieties on Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 104:15

    And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Isaiah 24:11

    [There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

  • John 11:3

    Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:19

    A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].

  • Matthew 26:28

    For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back