Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 63:3 (Sep 2020)
Article: Jesus’s Blood At The Wedding In Cana?
Author: E. Ray Clendenen

JETS 63:3 (September 2020) p. 491

Jesus’s Blood At The Wedding In Cana?

E. Ray Clendenen

E. Ray Clendenen is senior editor, Bibles and Reference Books, Lifeway Christian Resources, One Lifeway Plaze, Nashville, TN 37115. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: This article analyzes John 2:4 in the context of John’s Gospel, Jesus’s opening week in John 1:19–2:11, and John’s account of the wedding in Cana in 2:1–11. It focuses on the meaning of Jesus’s twofold response to his mother, its significance in the context of John’s Gospel, and its theological significance. In order to discover Jesus’s intention, especially in connecting the lack of wine with his “hour,” various OT texts are proposed as necessary for interpretation. The common views found in standard commentaries are cited and critiqued where necessary, and the work of Richard Bauckham, Jörg Frey, Edmund Little, and R. V. G. Tasker are shown to be especially helpful.

Key words: John’s Gospel, wedding at Cana, Jesus’s opening week, Jesus’s “hour,” wine as biblical symbol, blood of Christ, Jewish purification

Don Carson argues convincingly that the Gospel of John’s primary purpose was evangelism and that his immediate audience comprised Jews (especially those living outside Palestine) and Gentile proselytes.1 Nevertheless, Christians have always found that the study of this book deepens their faith, clarifies their calling, and comforts them in their trials. The ultimate goal of John’s Gospel is not belief, but an ever-increasing and ever-deepening life—”that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31).

I believe the Gospel was written by the apostle John, who was likely the anonymous companion of Andrew whom we encounter in 1:35–40 and, therefore, was an eyewitness to the events at the wedding in Cana in 2:1–11.

I. John 2:4 In The Context Of John 1:1–2:11

I agree with Richard Bauckham (against Ridderbos and Brown)2 that, after John’s prologue, or what Jörg Frey calls his “reading instruction,”3 John describes Jesus’s opening week of ministry in <...