John 2 12

John 2:12 kjv

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

John 2:12 nkjv

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

John 2:12 niv

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

John 2:12 esv

After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

John 2:12 nlt

After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

John 2 verses

John 2 12 Meaning

John 2:12 serves as a pivotal transitional verse following the miracle at the wedding in Cana. It describes Jesus's initial movement, along with His immediate family and newly affirmed disciples, to Capernaum for a temporary stay. This move signifies the consolidation of His early followers and the establishment of a strategic geographical base in Galilee for the nascent stages of His public ministry before a more extensive journey to Jerusalem for Passover.

John 2 12 Context

John 2:12 follows immediately after the first sign Jesus performed at the wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11), where He turned water into wine. This miracle had a significant impact, leading His disciples to believe in Him. The verse therefore serves as a chronological and geographical bridge, detailing the immediate next step in Jesus's early public ministry. It shows a transition from a more private family event to the initial setup of a ministry base in Galilee, setting the stage for future events, most immediately the journey to Jerusalem for the Passover (John 2:13). Capernaum's location by the Sea of Galilee made it an ideal hub for ministry within the region, given its access to fishing villages and trade routes.

John 2 12 Word analysis

• After this (Μετὰ τοῦτο, Meta touto):
  • Significance: Denotes immediate temporal succession, directly linking this journey to the Cana miracle (Jn 2:1-11) as a direct consequence or the next stage in His unfolding plan.
  • Bible connection: A common Johannine transitional phrase, showing progression in Jesus's actions.
• He went down (κατέβη, katebē):
  • Significance: Indicates a physical descent in elevation, as Cana is in the Galilean hills and Capernaum is situated by the Sea of Galilee, at a lower altitude.
  • Deeper meaning: Can subtly foreshadow Christ's overall movement from glory (divine) to humanity (incarnation) or from public recognition (sign) to deeper engagement with people in a more accessible region.
• to Capernaum (Καπερναούμ, Kapharnaoum):
  • Significance: A critical hub for Jesus's Galilean ministry, effectively becoming His "home base" or "His own city" (Matt 9:1). It was a thriving town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, strategically located on a major trade route.
  • Historical/Cultural: A customs station was located there, and a Roman centurion's garrison, making it a busy and diverse locale. The majority of Jesus's miracles and teachings during His Galilean ministry occurred around Capernaum, yet it would ultimately be condemned for its unbelief (Matt 11:23-24).
• He and His mother:
  • Significance: Mary's continued presence underscores her unique role from birth (Lk 1:38) to supporting Him, even after He began His public ministry (Jn 2:1, 19:26-27). Her presence reinforces His human connections and perhaps signifies family solidarity at this early stage.
• and His brothers:
  • Significance: Refers to Jesus's physical half-brothers (Matt 13:55-56). While they accompanied Him, John's Gospel later clarifies they "did not believe in Him" (Jn 7:5) at this point. Their inclusion here indicates a close family tie and involvement in His early movements, despite their spiritual state. This also prepares for later episodes where their skepticism is noted.
• and His disciples:
  • Significance: These are the early followers, likely including those mentioned in John 1 (Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, etc.) and others who came to believe in Him after the Cana miracle (Jn 2:11). Their increasing number and continued presence indicate the growing momentum of Jesus's public appeal.
• and they stayed there:
  • Significance: Emphasizes a temporary residence or encampment, not a permanent relocation. It implies a pause or preparation before the next significant phase of ministry.
• a few days (ἡμέρας οὐ πολλὰς, hēmeras ou pollas):
  • Significance: Indicates a short duration. This detail suggests a brief stop, a moment for consolidation, rest, or brief ministry activity before moving on to the more significant upcoming Passover in Jerusalem (Jn 2:13), a major festival demanding His presence. It clarifies this was not the extensive Capernaum ministry which would come later.

John 2 12 Bonus section

The composition of Jesus's entourage at this stage is noteworthy. It is a mix of believers (disciples) and those not yet believing (His brothers, Jn 7:5), showing Jesus ministering amidst varied levels of faith even within His closest circle. Capernaum, due to its accessibility and strategic location by the Sea of Galilee, later became Jesus's operational base (e.g., teaching in its synagogue, performing healings), earning it the moniker "His own city." This initial visit for "a few days" may have served as an introductory reconnaissance for its future pivotal role in His ministry. The swift move from a joyful occasion in Cana to a commercial hub reflects the shifting nature of His mission – from revealing His glory in a social context to preparing for widespread public proclamation and teaching.

John 2 12 Commentary

John 2:12, though brief, is significant as a critical transitional verse in Jesus's early ministry. It shows Jesus consolidating His growing company – His core disciples, alongside His mother and brothers – and establishing a strategic, albeit temporary, base in Capernaum. This move from Cana to Capernaum shifts the context from a private, miraculous act within a social setting to the threshold of broader public ministry in a bustling Galilean city. The mention of "His mother and His brothers" emphasizes His continued humanity and family ties, even as His divine mission unfolds. The fact they "stayed there a few days" highlights a moment of preparation or interlude, before Jesus embarks on a journey to Jerusalem for Passover, signaling the true beginning of His confrontation with established religious authorities. This verse subtly lays groundwork for future developments in His ministry, including the significant Galilean activities centered around Capernaum and the complex relationship with His family.