John 2:2 kjv

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

John 2:2 nkjv

Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

John 2:2 niv

and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

John 2:2 esv

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

John 2:2 nlt

and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.

John 2 verses

John 2 2 Meaning

This verse declares that Jesus Christ alone is the propitiation for human sins. "Propitiation" signifies the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God's righteous wrath against sin, thereby reconciling humanity to God. It underscores the complete efficacy and divine sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. The verse further clarifies that this saving work is not limited to the sins of believers alone but extends its provision and sufficiency to the entire world, making salvation universally available, though individually applied by faith.

John 2 2 Context

1 John 2:2 immediately follows the declaration that if anyone sins, believers have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous (1 Jn 2:1). This verse expands on the basis of that advocacy. John is writing to believers who likely faced spiritual threats, including nascent Gnostic ideas that denied Christ's true humanity and therefore the efficacy of His atoning death.

The broader context of 1 John centers on the realities of fellowship with God, the nature of true faith, the implications of walking in light rather than darkness, and the distinction between true believers and those who claim to know God but live in sin or hold false doctrine. The epistle provides assurances of salvation and guidance for ethical living, often through a series of "if we say... but if we walk..." antitheses. This particular verse reinforces the foundational truth that salvation is entirely God's work through Christ, universally sufficient for all humanity.

John 2 2 Word analysis

• And: kai (καὶ) - Connects Christ's role as advocate to His deeper role as propitiation. It emphasizes continuation and additional, crucial information about why He can be an advocate.
• He Himself: autos (αὐτὸς) - Places singular emphasis and exclusive efficacy on Christ. Not "He and something else" or "He among others," but Christ alone is the one true source. This refutes any idea of multiple mediators or additional requirements.
• is: estin (ἐστίν) - Denotes an eternal truth and inherent nature. It's not a temporary status but who He inherently is in His atoning work.
• the propitiation: hilasmos (ἱλασμός) - This is a pivotal theological term.
  • Meaning: An atoning sacrifice that satisfies divine justice, turning away wrath and making reconciliation possible. It's not just "covering sin" but actively appeasing holy displeasure due to sin.
  • Significance: In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), it often translates terms related to "expiation" and the "mercy seat" (hilasterion), the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement. Christ is the ultimate mercy seat, the place where God's just wrath meets mercy through sacrifice.
  • Distinction: Differs from simple "forgiveness" by emphasizing the cost and satisfaction of God's holy requirements. It means God's righteous wrath against sin has been fully met by Christ.
• for: peri (περί) - Means "concerning" or "on behalf of." Indicates the purpose and beneficiaries of Christ's propitiatory work.
• our sins: tōn hamartiōn hēmōn (τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν) - Refers to the transgressions of believers. This clarifies that the propitiation specifically deals with humanity's wrongdoing against God. "Sins" (plural) highlights individual acts of rebellion.
• and not for ours only: ou monon peri tōn hēmōn (οὐ μόνον περὶ τῶν ἡμῶν) - A critical qualification. John directly counters any notion that Christ's sacrifice is exclusive to a specific group or elite. It shows the boundless scope of God's redemptive purpose.
• but also: alla kai (ἀλλὰ καί) - Emphasizes expansion and inclusivity, highlighting the further extent of Christ's propitiation.
• for those of the whole world: peri holou tou kosmou (περὶ ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου) - The pinnacle of the statement, asserting the universal provision and sufficiency of Christ's atoning work.
  • "Whole world": Holou tou kosmou signifies humanity in its entirety, all people, all nations, without ethnic or social distinction. It underscores the scope of Christ's work and the love of God extended to all of fallen humanity.
  • Significance: This phrase is profoundly significant against any Gnostic exclusivism which claimed salvation was for a privileged few with secret knowledge. It affirms the gracious offer to all humanity, though it is appropriated individually by faith. It doesn't imply universalism (all people will automatically be saved) but universal availability and efficacy.

Words-Group by words-Group Analysis:

• He Himself is the propitiation: Underscores Christ's singular and exclusive role in performing this necessary divine act. No other person, ritual, or effort can fulfill this requirement.
• for our sins; and not for ours only: This sets up a crucial contrast, moving from the particular application to believers to the universal provision for all humanity. It reassures believers while correcting any narrow view of God's salvific intent.
• but also for those of the whole world: Expands the theological truth to its fullest global reach. This signifies that God's grace and Christ's sacrifice are genuinely sufficient and available to all who would believe, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive plan.

John 2 2 Bonus section

• The concept of hilasmos (propitiation) distinguishes Christ's work from merely "covering" sin. It emphasizes the active turning away of God's wrath, a crucial aspect of biblical atonement that affirms both God's love and His justice.
• This verse provides a powerful foundation for evangelism, as it assures believers that the message of salvation through Christ is truly for all people, removing any theological or philosophical barriers to sharing the gospel globally.
• The placement of this verse immediately after mentioning Christ as an "advocate" highlights the interlinked roles of Jesus: He is both our defense counsel (advocate) and the very payment (propitiation) that makes the defense effective before God. His righteousness is imputed because His sacrifice satisfied divine justice.
• The specific mention of "sins" in the plural underlines that Christ's propitiation deals not only with the sinful nature but also with the innumerable individual transgressions arising from that nature.

John 2 2 Commentary

1 John 2:2 is a profound theological declaration outlining the scope and nature of Christ's atoning work. As our "advocate" (v. 1), Jesus represents believers before God when they sin, and the basis of this representation is His propitiatory sacrifice. "Propitiation" speaks to God's holiness and justice, which demand satisfaction for sin. Christ's death on the cross was the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that fully appeased divine wrath, removing the barrier between a righteous God and sinful humanity. This verse emphasizes that this work of propitiation is exhaustively complete and exclusive to Jesus Himself. It counters any suggestion that human effort or other rituals can contribute to the satisfaction of God's demands for holiness.

Furthermore, the declaration that this propitiation is "not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world" is critical. It defines the universal sufficiency and availability of Christ's atonement, contrasting with doctrines (like Gnosticism) that would restrict salvation to a chosen few or a particular ethno-religious group. While only those who believe receive the benefit of this propitiation (individual appropriation through faith), the provision of the sacrifice itself is for all humanity. This demonstrates the immense love and impartial desire of God for all people to come to salvation, grounding the missionary mandate in Christ's comprehensive work. It implies the absolute infinite value of Christ's sacrifice; its worth is boundless enough to cover all sins of all people throughout all time.