John 2:7

KJV

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Fill {G1072} the waterpots {G5201} with water {G5204}. And {G2532} they filled {G1072} them {G846} up {G1072} to {G2193} the brim {G507}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua told them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.

American Standard Version

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 2:7 records Jesus' pivotal command to the servants at the wedding in Cana to fill six large stone waterpots with water, an instruction they carried out with complete obedience by filling the vessels to their very brim. This seemingly ordinary act of filling served as the crucial preparatory step for Jesus' first public miracle, transforming a potential social embarrassment into a profound demonstration of His divine power and the inauguration of His public ministry, revealing His glory and foreshadowing the abundant new life found in Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the narrative detailing [Jesus' first public miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana"). The event unfolds after the wine runs out, a potentially embarrassing and shameful situation for the hosts in ancient Near Eastern culture. Jesus' mother, Mary, informs Him of the predicament, and subsequently instructs the servants, "[Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it](/john/2-5 "John 2:5 - Mary's Instruction to the Servants")" (John 2:5). This instruction from Mary highlights the theme of obedience that is central to the miracle. John 2:7 records Jesus' direct command to these servants, initiating the process that would lead to the miraculous transformation of water into wine, setting the stage for the steward's later astonishment in [John 2:9-10](/john/2-9-10 "John 2:9-10 - The Steward's Astonishment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The six stone waterpots mentioned were large vessels, each capable of holding twenty to thirty gallons, typically used for Jewish purification rituals (John 2:6). These rituals involved ceremonial washing of hands, feet, and vessels, essential for maintaining ritual purity according to Mosaic law and rabbinic tradition. The running out of wine at a wedding feast was not merely an inconvenience but a grave social disgrace that would bring shame upon the host family. Weddings were multi-day celebrations, and hospitality was a paramount virtue. Jesus' intervention, therefore, was not just a display of power but an act of compassion that averted a significant social catastrophe for the newly married couple and their families, demonstrating His concern for human needs and relationships within a specific cultural framework.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate and complete obedience of the servants to Jesus' seemingly mundane instruction is a pivotal theme in this passage. Their willingness to fill the waterpots completely, without knowing Jesus' ultimate purpose, demonstrates a profound trust that sets the stage for the miracle. This highlights **simple obedience** as a prerequisite for divine intervention. Furthermore, Jesus' command reveals His inherent **divine authority and power**; He doesn't perform a magical incantation but simply gives an instruction, and the subsequent transformation underscores His power over creation. The act of filling the waterpots with water was a necessary **preparation for transformation**, illustrating how God often uses our humble, obedient efforts as a foundation for His extraordinary works. The detail "[filled them up to the brim](/john/2-7 "John 2:7 - Filled to the Brim")" emphasizes the **abundance and sufficiency** of what was provided, foreshadowing the overflowing grace and provision found in Christ, which far exceeds human expectation or need, as later evidenced by the quality and quantity of the wine (John 2:10).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fill (Greek, _gemízō_):** This verb signifies to "fill entirely" or "make full." In the context of John 2:7, it emphasizes the completeness of the action Jesus commanded. The servants were not merely to put some water in, but to fill the waterpots to their full capacity, leaving no room for doubt about the initial contents of the vessels. This thoroughness is crucial for the integrity of the miracle that follows.
* **Waterpots (Greek, _hydría_):** Derived from the word for "water" (_hýdōr_), this term specifically refers to a "water-jar" or "receptacle for family supply." John 2:6 specifies these were "six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews," indicating their customary use in ritual cleansing. Their large capacity (20-30 gallons each) underscores the sheer volume of water involved in the miracle, highlighting the lavishness of Jesus' provision.
* **Brim (Greek, _ánō_):** This adverb means "upward" or "on the top," indicating the highest point or limit. When combined with "up to" (Greek, _héōs_), it forms the phrase "up to the brim," emphasizing that the waterpots were filled to their absolute maximum capacity. This detail is crucial for the narrative's integrity, ensuring that no one could claim wine was already present or that the miracle was anything less than a complete transformation of water that occupied the entire vessel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water."**: This is a direct, authoritative command from Jesus. It is simple, clear, and seemingly mundane. The command to "fill" is active and requires human effort, yet it also sets the stage for a divine act. The specific instruction to use "water" highlights the raw material for the miracle, emphasizing that the transformation would be from a common, ordinary substance.
* **"And they filled them up to the brim."**: This clause highlights the immediate and complete obedience of the servants. The phrase "up to the brim" is a crucial detail, underscoring their thoroughness and leaving no ambiguity about the quantity or nature of the liquid initially placed in the jars. This full measure of obedience provides the undeniable evidence for the miracle that follows, demonstrating that the vessels contained nothing but water before Jesus' transformative power was exercised.

#### Literary Devices
John 2:7 is rich with **Symbolism**. The water itself, used for Jewish purification rites, symbolizes the Old Covenant's emphasis on external cleansing and ritual law. The subsequent transformation of this water into wine symbolizes the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, which brings internal transformation, joy, and abundance, surpassing the old. The **Emphasis** on filling the waterpots "up to the brim" highlights the completeness of the servants' obedience and, more importantly, the lavish and overflowing nature of Jesus' provision. This detail leaves no room for doubt about the miracle's authenticity. Furthermore, the entire episode serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to Jesus' identity as the Messiah who brings a new, superior reality, fulfilling and superseding the old traditions, and providing spiritual abundance that satisfies deeply.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 2:7 serves as a powerful testament to the principle that divine power often works through human obedience, even when the instructions seem ordinary or the outcome is unclear. The servants' simple act of filling the jars with water, a task they could understand and execute, became the necessary conduit for an extraordinary miracle. This highlights a foundational theological truth: God invites our participation in His work, not as the source of power, but as willing vessels. The abundance of the transformed wine also foreshadows the overflowing grace and new life that Jesus brings, far exceeding the limitations of the Old Covenant's rituals. This miracle, initiated by a command and completed by obedience, underscores Jesus' authority as the Lord of creation, capable of transforming the mundane into the miraculous.

* [Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Obedience to Jesus' Command"): "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"): "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
* [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformation by Renewing the Mind"): "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 2:7 offers a timeless lesson on the profound power of simple obedience to God's word. Often, God's instructions may not immediately make logical sense to us, or they might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of our problems. However, this verse teaches that our role is to obey faithfully and completely, just as the servants did. Their willingness to act on Christ's commands, even when the ultimate purpose was unknown, provided the necessary "vessels" for Him to work His transformative power. In our own lives, there may be "waterpots" – mundane tasks, seemingly small acts of service, or difficult commands – that God asks us to fill. Our diligent and complete obedience, even in the ordinary, creates the space for God to do the extraordinary, turning our "water" into "wine" and manifesting His glory in our circumstances. It encourages us to trust that when we do our part with diligence, God will do His, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary and revealing His magnificent power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "waterpots" or mundane tasks is Jesus asking you to "fill" with simple obedience in your life today?**
* **How does the servants' complete obedience ("up to the brim") challenge your own willingness to obey God fully, even when you don't understand the outcome?**
* **In what areas of your life are you waiting for a miracle, and what small, obedient steps might God be calling you to take as preparation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask the servants to fill the waterpots with water, rather than simply creating wine out of nothing?**

Answer: Jesus' instruction to fill the waterpots with water was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it established an undeniable context for the miracle. By having the servants, who were witnesses, fill the jars to the brim with plain water, there could be no doubt that the subsequent wine was a miraculous creation and not simply a pre-existing supply or a trick. This act of filling provided tangible evidence that the transformation was real. Secondly, it demonstrated the principle of divine power working through human participation. While Jesus could have created wine ex nihilo, He chose to involve the servants in a simple act of obedience, highlighting that God often uses our available resources and our willingness to obey as the foundation for His extraordinary works. This also served to manifest His glory to those who witnessed the miracle, as noted in [John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - Jesus Manifests His Glory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miracle at Cana, initiated by Jesus' command in [John 2:7](/john/2-7 "John 2:7 - Jesus' Command at Cana"), profoundly points to Christ's identity and the nature of His saving work. The transformation of water, used for ceremonial purification under the Old Covenant, into an abundance of the finest wine symbolizes the transition from the old order to the new covenant established through Jesus. The water of ritual cleansing, which could only temporarily address external impurity, is superseded by the wine of the New Covenant, representing the joy, abundance, and inner transformation that Jesus brings. This "good wine" (John 2:10), superior to what was served before, signifies the surpassing grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ, as opposed to the law given through Moses ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth through Jesus Christ")). Jesus is the ultimate source of true satisfaction and spiritual abundance, offering living water that quenches eternal thirst ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")) and life more abundantly than we could ever imagine ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). The wedding feast itself foreshadows the great messianic banquet, where Christ, the true Bridegroom, provides ultimate joy and communion for His people, demonstrating His power to transform not just water, but human lives and the very nature of our relationship with God.

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

2 Kings 4:2

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

2 Kings 4:6

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, [There is] not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].

Mark 11:2

And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him].

Mark 11:6

And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

John 2:3

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

1 Kings 17:13

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go [and] do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring [it] unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.