John 2: Commentary: Symbolic Themes From The Wedding At Cana And The Cleansing Of The Temple
John 2 contains several parallels to the Tanakh that deepen the understanding of Yeshua's actions and their significance within a Messianic Jewish context.
Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
1. Water into Wine
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Moses’ First Sign (Exodus 7:14-24): Moses' first public miracle was turning water into blood, a sign of judgment. Yeshua's first public miracle, turning water into wine, is a sign of blessing and abundance.
- Amos 9:13-14: “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile."
- Joel 3:18: "And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim."
- These prophecies associate the Messianic age with an abundance of wine, symbolizing joy and restoration
2. Purification Jars
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Levitical Purification (Leviticus 14):
The use of stone jars for ritual purification echoes the detailed purification laws in the Torah. Yeshua’s use of these jars signifies a transformation of the old purification rituals into a new, more abundant form of spiritual purity.
Cleansing the Temple (John 2:13-22)
1. Zeal for the House of God
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Psalm 69:9: “For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”
- This verse is directly quoted in John 2:17, showing that Yeshua’s actions in the Temple are a fulfillment of the righteous zeal depicted in the Psalms.
2. Prophetic Actions Against Corruption
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Jeremiah 7:1-11: Jeremiah condemns the people for turning the Temple into a “den of robbers.” Yeshua’s actions mirror Jeremiah’s prophetic critique of Temple corruption.
- Malachi 3:1-4: “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple... and He will purify the sons of Levi.” Yeshua’s cleansing of the Temple can be seen as fulfilling this prophetic expectation of the Messiah purifying the Temple worship.
3. Sign of the Temple’s Destruction and Restoration
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Daniel 9:26: The prophecy of the Messiah being "cut off" and the subsequent destruction is echoed in Yeshua’s statement about the destruction and rebuilding of the Temple.
- Ezekiel 37:26-28: The prophecy of the future Temple where God’s presence will dwell forever. Yeshua, referring to His body as the Temple, points to the new understanding of God’s presence among His people through Him.
Symbolic Themes
1. Marriage as a Covenant
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Isaiah 62:4-5: “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” The wedding at Cana symbolizes the joyous covenant relationship between God and His people, a recurring theme in the Prophets.
2. Wine as a Symbol of Joy and Messianic Blessing
- Tanakh Parallel:
- Psalm 104:15: “Wine that gladdens human hearts.” Wine is often associated with joy and divine blessing in the Scriptures.
- Isaiah 25:6: Describes the Messianic banquet with “well-aged wine.”
Conclusion
These parallels between John 2 and the Tanakh highlight the continuity and fulfillment of Jewish expectations in Yeshua's ministry. His miracles and actions are deeply rooted in Jewish traditions and prophecies, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah and bringing a transformative understanding to familiar symbols and practices.