John 2:7

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context

John 2:7 is an integral part of the narrative detailing Jesus' first public miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. The event unfolds after the wine runs out, a potentially embarrassing situation for the hosts. Jesus' mother, Mary, informs Him of the predicament, and subsequently instructs the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." This verse records Jesus' direct command to these servants, initiating the process that would lead to the miraculous transformation of water into wine. The six stone waterpots mentioned were large vessels typically used for Jewish purification rituals, symbolizing a shift from ceremonial cleansing to the abundance of new life in Christ.

Key Themes

  • Simple Obedience: The servants' immediate and unquestioning obedience to Jesus' seemingly mundane instruction is pivotal. Their willingness to fill the waterpots completely, without knowing Jesus' ultimate purpose, demonstrates a profound trust that sets the stage for the miracle.
  • Divine Authority and Power: Jesus' command reveals His inherent authority. He doesn't perform a magical incantation but simply gives an instruction, and the subsequent transformation underscores His divine power over creation.
  • Preparation for Transformation: The act of filling the waterpots with water was a necessary preparatory step. It provided the "raw material" for the miracle, illustrating how God often uses our humble, obedient efforts as a foundation for His extraordinary works.
  • Abundance and Sufficiency: The detail "filled them up to the brim" emphasizes the completeness and overflowing nature of what was provided. This foreshadows the abundant grace and provision found in Christ, far exceeding human expectation or need, as later evidenced by the quality and quantity of the wine.

Linguistic Insights

The term "waterpots" (Greek: hydrophoros) refers to large stone jars, each typically holding 20-30 gallons, primarily used for storing water, especially for ceremonial washing according to Jewish custom. The phrase "up to the brim" (Greek: eschaton, meaning the ultimate limit or end) is crucial. It highlights the thoroughness of the servants' obedience and the complete filling of the vessels. This detail leaves no room for doubt that it was indeed water, not wine, that was initially placed in the jars, making the subsequent miracle of transformation undeniable to those who drew from them, as noted in John 2:9.

Practical Application

John 2:7 offers a timeless lesson on the 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. However, this verse teaches that our role is to obey faithfully and completely, just as the servants did. Our willingness to act on Christ's commands, even when the outcome is unclear, provides the necessary "vessels" for Him to work His transformative power in our lives and circumstances. It encourages us to trust that when we do our part with diligence, God will do His, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and manifesting His glory, as was the case for Jesus at Cana (John 2:11).

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.

  • 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.

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