John 2:5 kjv
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 2:5 nkjv
His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
John 2:5 niv
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
John 2:5 esv
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
John 2:5 nlt
But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
John 2 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Obedience to Christ/God's Word | ||
| Dt 28:1 | "If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God..." | Blessings follow obedience. |
| Josh 1:7 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law..." | Obedience to prosper. |
| Ps 119:4 | "You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently." | Divine commands require diligence. |
| Pr 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." | Trust and obedience for divine guidance. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them..." | Foundation on the rock through obedience. |
| Lk 6:46 | "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?" | Discrepancy between title and action. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | Love for Christ demonstrated by obedience. |
| Jn 15:10 | "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." | Abiding in Christ through obedience. |
| Heb 5:9 | "He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation." | Salvation is for the obedient. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers..." | Call to action, not just hearing. |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments..." | Obedience as an expression of love for God. |
| Mary's Faith and Anticipation | ||
| Lk 1:38 | "Behold, the bond-servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." | Mary's prior submission to God's will. |
| Acts 1:14 | "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus..." | Mary's continued devotion and presence with disciples. |
| Divine Power Manifested Through Obedience | ||
| Ex 14:15-16 | "Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. As for you, lift up your staff..." | Obedience at Red Sea, leading to miracle. |
| 2 Kgs 5:10-14 | "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times...Then he went down and dipped seven times..." | Naaman's cure through humbling obedience. |
| Ezek 37:4-7 | "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them..." | Resurrection of dry bones through obedience. |
| Lk 5:4-5 | "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Simon answered and said, 'Master, we worked hard all night... but because You say so, I will let down the nets.'" | Peter's miraculous catch through obedience to seemingly illogical command. |
| Acts 9:6 | "He was trembling and astonished, and said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?'" | Paul's immediate readiness to obey after conversion. |
John 2 verses
John 2 5 Meaning
John 2:5 conveys a foundational principle of discipleship: absolute and unquestioning obedience to the words of Jesus Christ. Mary's instruction to the servants serves as a model of faith and active submission, highlighting that acting upon Christ's commands is essential for witnessing divine provision and experiencing God's work.
John 2 5 Context
John chapter 2 opens with Jesus attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This is the setting for Jesus' first miraculous sign, which is significant for revealing His glory and prompting His disciples to believe in Him. The verse immediately precedes Jesus' direct instruction to the servants regarding the water jars. Mary, knowing Jesus' unique power, tells the servants to follow whatever instruction He gives, even before Jesus explicitly states His plan. This shows Mary's profound trust in Jesus' ability to resolve the crisis of the depleted wine and her understanding that His solution, whatever it might be, should be obeyed without question.
John 2 5 Word analysis
- His mother: Referring to Mary (Μήτηρ, Mētēr). Her relationship with Jesus is pivotal; she trusts Him implicitly and understands His authority and divine power. She acts as an example of faith for others.
- said: (λέγει, legei). Present tense. It emphasizes a direct and immediate communication.
- to the servants: (τοῖς διακόνοις, tois diakonois). These are the workers responsible for serving at the wedding feast. They are not the hosts but those entrusted with the practical execution of duties. Their practical role makes them ideal recipients for an actionable command.
- “Whatever (ὅτι, hoti, here translated as "whatever he says" or "that"): This particle indicates that the instruction is comprehensive and unqualified. It doesn't allow for selectivity or hesitation. It implies complete submission to the scope of His instructions.
- He says: (λέγῃ, legē). Points to the absolute authority inherent in Jesus' words. It signals that His forthcoming words, even if unconventional, are to be considered paramount.
- to you: (ὑμῖν, hymin). The command is directly addressed to the specific individuals who are in a position to act. It requires personal accountability and direct application.
- do it (ποιήσατε, poiēsate): A strong, aorist imperative verb, commanding immediate and complete action. It highlights that the words of Jesus are not merely to be heard but must be translated into deeds.
Words-group analysis:
- His mother said to the servants: This phrasing emphasizes Mary's direct and authoritative instruction to those under her sphere of influence in this context, preparing them for Jesus' directive. It shows her active role in facilitating the miracle.
- “Whatever He says to you, do it.”: This complete phrase forms a singular, powerful command embodying unqualified submission and proactive obedience. It sets a paradigm for how one should respond to Jesus' authority. It also reflects a principle foundational to Judaism: the importance of hearing and obeying God's mitzvot (commands), now redirected through Christ.
John 2 5 Bonus section
This verse can be seen as Mary's final public command recorded in the Gospels, acting as a profound summary of her life and her son's mission. Her directive encapsulates the ideal response to Christ from all people. The expectation of Mary, as the first disciple in a unique sense, sets the tone for the disciples' immediate belief and points to the readiness of a true servant. It implies that true understanding and experience of God's power come through humble and swift compliance with His directives, not through logical reasoning or prior conditions. The "Whatever He says" covers not just miracles, but all of life's situations, demanding the same radical submission in every area.
John 2 5 Commentary
John 2:5 serves as a potent command for all believers: "Whatever He says to you, do it." Mary's simple instruction anticipates Jesus' power and underscores the necessity of unwavering, unreserved obedience to Christ's words. It is a timeless lesson that divine intervention often awaits human obedience, even when the command seems unusual or the outcome unclear. This verse encapsulates the core of Christian discipleship: a call to listen intently to Jesus and act decisively on His instructions, knowing that His words are true, powerful, and will lead to glorious manifestations of His will. It teaches that faith is not passive but active; it trusts and obeys.