John 2:8

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it].

And {G2532} he saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Draw out {G501} now {G3568}, and {G2532} bear {G5342} unto the governor of the feast {G755}. And {G2532} they bare {G5342} it.

He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the man in charge of the banquet”; and they took it.

“Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it.

Commentary

John 2:8 records a crucial moment in the first miracle performed by Jesus Christ—the transformation of water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This verse follows Jesus's instruction to the servants to fill six large stone waterpots with water (John 2:7). Here, He commands them to "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast," indicating that the miraculous change has already taken place.

Context

The scene is a wedding celebration where the wine supply has run out, a potentially humiliating situation for the hosts. Mary, Jesus's mother, brings the problem to His attention (John 2:3). Despite an initial response that His time had not yet come, Jesus instructs the servants to fill stone jars—typically used for Jewish purification rites—with water. John 2:8 then captures the next step: the command to serve what was now wine to the master of ceremonies. This act of obedience by the servants allows the miracle to be confirmed and Jesus's glory to be revealed, as detailed in John 2:11, leading His disciples to believe in Him.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Obedience: The servants' prompt response to Jesus's command, without question or hesitation, is fundamental. Their simple act of drawing out and serving what they had just put in as water was essential for the miracle to be witnessed and acknowledged.
  • Divine Transformation: While the act of changing water to wine is not described within this specific verse, the command to "draw out" implies that the transformation has occurred by Jesus's word. It showcases His power to supernaturally alter reality and points to His ability to bring about spiritual transformation in human lives.
  • Jesus's Authority: This instruction demonstrates Jesus's inherent authority and control over creation. It was a clear sign of His divine identity and power, marking the beginning of His public ministry.
  • Abundance and Quality: The miracle produced not just wine, but wine of exceptional quality and in large quantity, as confirmed by the "governor of the feast" in John 2:10. This highlights God's generous nature and His desire to provide richly for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "governor of the feast" translates the Greek word architriklinos (ἀρχιτρίκλινος). This title refers to the chief steward or master of ceremonies at a banquet. This individual was responsible for the overall management of the feast, including ensuring the quality of the food and drink, and directing the servants. His role as an experienced and discerning judge makes his later commendation of the wine's quality (John 2:10) particularly significant, serving as an impartial testimony to the miracle.

Practical Application

John 2:8 teaches us the profound importance of obedience to Christ's instructions. Even when God's commands seem illogical or their purpose is not immediately clear, our willingness to act in faith allows His power to manifest. Just as the servants' simple act of drawing and serving initiated the public display of the miracle, our readiness to obey God's Word opens the door for His transforming work in our own lives and circumstances. This narrative reminds us that God's provision is often abundant and of the highest quality, reflecting the abundant life that Jesus came to give.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 2:9

    When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

  • Proverbs 3:5

    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  • Proverbs 3:6

    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

  • Romans 13:7

    ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:6

    Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.
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