John begins Jesus' public ministry in a surprising place—not a synagogue, palace, or battlefield, but a wedding celebration where the wine has run out.
What happens next John calls Jesus' first sign.
1. Connect
Celebrations don't always go according to plan.
Why do you think weddings and other major celebrations matter so much to us?
2. Read
Read together.
As you read, notice the problem, what Jesus does, and how John interprets what happened.
(NET2)
1 Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.” 4 Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding 20 or 30 gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” and they did. 9 When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
What caught your attention?
3. Explore
Look back at the passage as you discuss these questions.
- What problem develops at the wedding, and why might it have been embarrassing for the hosts?
- What instructions does Jesus give the servants? What happens when they obey him?
- According to verses 6–10, what is surprising about both the quantity and quality of the wine Jesus provides?
- John doesn't simply call this a miracle. According to verse 11, what does he call it?
- What does John say the sign revealed about Jesus, and how did his disciples respond?
4. Consider
John says that through this sign Jesus “revealed his glory.”
- What do you think the sign reveals about Jesus?
- Why do you think John chose this event as the first sign in his Gospel?
- What do you find interesting, surprising, difficult, or hard to believe about the account?
5. Respond
The people at the wedding enjoy the wine, but the disciples see something more—the sign points them toward Jesus.
If John's purpose is to help us discover who Jesus is, what has this first sign made you wonder about him?
What does this sign reveal about Jesus?
Explore More
Read and notice what John has already told his readers about Jesus before any of the signs occur.
Next Conversation: Take Jesus at His Word — Healing the Royal Official's Son.