John 2:11 kjv

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John 2:11 nkjv

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:11 niv

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11 esv

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11 nlt

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2 verses

John 2 11 Meaning

John 2:11 declares that the miracle of water turning into wine at Cana was Jesus' first supernatural demonstration of power, signifying a foundational act in His public ministry. Through this "sign," Jesus revealed His divine majesty and inherent nature to His disciples, which consequently deepened their faith and belief in Him as the Messiah. This event served not merely as a wondrous deed but as a divinely intended revelation.

John 2 11 Context

John chapter 2 initiates Jesus' public ministry following His calling of the first disciples in chapter 1. The immediate context of verse 11 is the wedding feast at Cana, where the hosts run out of wine. Jesus, at His mother Mary's prompting, miraculously transforms approximately 120-180 gallons of water into the finest wine, far exceeding any natural supply. This event occurs early in Jesus' public life, establishing His divine authority and power to a nascent group of followers. The broader context of John's Gospel presents Jesus as the pre-existent Word, the Son of God, and emphasizes "signs" as revelations of His glory and identity, designed to lead people to faith.

John 2 11 Word analysis

• This: Refers specifically to the miracle just performed—the transformation of water into wine. It highlights the uniqueness and singular significance of this act as the inaugurating event.
• the first: Grk: ἀρχή (archē), meaning beginning or origin. This word signifies that this particular sign was the initial event in a divinely orchestrated series of public miracles and revelations, setting the pattern for Jesus' ministry of revealing Himself.
• of his signs: Grk: σημεῖον (sēmeion). In John's Gospel, a "sign" is more than just a miracle or wonder (δύναμις, dynamis). It is a symbolic act or event that points beyond itself to a deeper spiritual truth, revealing Jesus' divine identity, nature, and mission. It is a pointer to the glory and power of God incarnate.
• Jesus did: Emphasizes Jesus' active and intentional participation. This was not a chance occurrence but a purposeful act demonstrating His divine agency.
• at Cana in Galilee: A specific geographical and cultural setting. Cana was a relatively obscure village, underscoring that Jesus' glory was manifested not only in prestigious centers but also in humble, everyday settings. Galilee was often seen as a less reputable region by Judeans, making the manifestation of glory there even more surprising.
• and manifested: Grk: ἐφανέρωσεν (ephanerōsen), to make visible, to reveal, to bring to light, or to show clearly. This verb indicates a deliberate unveiling or disclosure of something previously hidden or dimly perceived. It implies an act of divine self-revelation.
• his glory: Grk: δόξα (doxa). This is a crucial theological term. It refers not merely to human honor or reputation, but to God's inherent divine majesty, splendor, excellence, and inherent power. It resonates with the Shekinah glory of the Old Testament (e.g., in the tabernacle/temple). In Jesus, this divine glory became visible in human form, as noted in John 1:14 ("we beheld His glory").
• and his disciples: Refers to the newly called followers who had committed to Him, as introduced in John 1:35-51 (e.g., Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and others mentioned at the wedding).
• believed in him: Grk: ἐπίστευσαν (episteusan). This indicates not just intellectual assent but a profound trust, commitment, and reliance on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. The purpose of this sign was precisely to cultivate and deepen this foundational faith in their Teacher. It implies a move from initial interest to conviction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This, the first of his signs": This phrase establishes the foundational nature of the miracle at Cana. It explicitly marks it as the inaugural event in a series of "signs" that define Jesus' ministry in John's Gospel. It immediately tells the reader that what Jesus is doing is not just a wonder but a deliberate revelation, marking the beginning of His public declaration of divine authority.
• "manifested his glory": This is the core theological purpose of the miracle. The water-to-wine event was not an end in itself, but a means by which Jesus revealed His true divine nature and inherent splendor. It was an unveiling of His divine doxa, fulfilling the declaration of John 1:14 that the Word dwelt among them and His glory was seen. This points to Jesus being the visible presence of God among humanity.
• "his disciples believed in him": This phrase signifies the intended and actual spiritual outcome of Jesus' revelation. The signs were given to lead to faith. For the disciples, witnessing this explicit demonstration of divine power and authority transformed their nascent belief into a deeper, confirmed conviction about who Jesus truly was. Their faith was nurtured and strengthened, becoming the foundation for their continued following and witness.

John 2 11 Bonus section

The symbolism of "new wine" is deeply significant within Jewish messianic expectations. Prophets often depicted the coming Messianic age with abundant wine, symbolizing overflowing joy, divine blessing, and restoration (e.g., Joel 3:18, Amos 9:13). Jesus providing an unparalleled abundance of the finest wine at a wedding, traditionally a place of covenant and joyous celebration, strongly signals the advent of this new messianic era, where the old (water for purification rituals, representing the Mosaic Law and its limitations) is superseded by the new (the transformative grace and power of God in Christ). This also hints at the superiority and richness of the New Covenant that Jesus was establishing over the Old Covenant. This inaugural sign suggests that the "glory" of God is now present in the unexpected, the joyful, and the abundant, ushering in an era of grace rather than ritual scarcity.

John 2 11 Commentary

John 2:11 encapsulates the essence of Jesus' early ministry and John's theological perspective on Christ. The miracle at Cana, His "first sign," was a purposeful act, far more than just a compassionate gesture. It was a visible manifestation of His inherent glory, His divine nature and power. This revelation was not for the masses immediately, but specifically for His new disciples, affirming their burgeoning faith in Him. The sheer abundance and superior quality of the new wine point metaphorically to the lavish grace and new covenant that Jesus inaugurated, superseding the old ways represented by the water for purification. It sets a pattern for Jesus' subsequent ministry, where each "sign" would similarly reveal His glory and serve as a catalyst for belief. This verse firmly establishes Jesus as the one in whom the glory of God resides and through whom it is manifested to humanity, inviting a response of belief.