What was so great about turning water into wine? Wouldn't it have been a much better example?

Question

Just to have purified the water?

Answer 1

that wouldn't have been very noticeable

Answer 2

This is an example of a typically Jewish form of explanation, called a `Pesher`. They, like English proverbs, and Greek fables should NOT be taken as literal, but interpreted according to the cultural idiom. Thus "wine" is the believer, the desirable end product. The "water" is the the common mass of the unknowing and unconverted. To turn "water into wine" is a term for conversion, a Jewish term, NOT a literal translation, and certainly not a miracle.

Answer 3

Lessons From the Miracles of Jesus

“NOW on the third day a marriage feast took place in Cana of Galilee . . . Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the marriage feast. When the wine ran short the mother of Jesus said to him: ‘They have no wine.’” This incident set the stage for Jesus’ first miracle.—John 2:1-3.

Was not such a problem too insignificant, too trivial, to bring to the attention of Jesus? Explains one Bible scholar: “Hospitality in the East was a sacred duty . . . Real hospitality, especially at a wedding feast, demanded a superabundance. If the supplies had [run out] at a wedding feast, the family and the young couple would never have lived down the shame.”

Jesus therefore took action. He observed “six stone water jars sitting there as required by the purification rules of the Jews.” Ritual washing before meals was customary among the Jews, and a good deal of water had been required to serve the needs of those present. “Fill the water jars with water,” Jesus ordered those serving the guests. Jesus was not “the director of the feast,” but he spoke directly and authoritatively. Says the account: “When, now, the director of the feast tasted the water, [it] had been turned into wine.”—John 2:6-9; Mark 7:3.

It may seem odd that something as commonplace as a wedding would be the setting for Jesus’ first miracle, but the incident reveals much about Jesus. He was a single man, and on subsequent occasions he discussed the advantages of singleness with his disciples. (Matthew 19:12) However, his presence at a wedding feast revealed that he was far from being antimarriage. He was balanced, supportive of the marriage arrangement; he viewed it as something honorable in the eyes of God.—Compare Hebrews 13:4.


Observe also the tenderness of Jesus’ emotions. He was under no obligation to perform a miracle. There was no prophecy in this regard that had to be fulfilled. Evidently, Jesus was simply moved by his mother’s concern and the plight of the couple getting married. He cared about their feelings and wished to spare them embarrassment. Does that not build your confidence that Christ has a real interest in you—even in your mundane problems?—Compare Hebrews 4:14-16.

Since each jar was “able to hold two or three liquid measures” of water, Jesus’ miracle involved a great volume of wine—perhaps 390 liters (105 gallons)! (John 2:6) Why such a huge quantity? Jesus was not promoting drunkenness, something God condemns. (Ephesians 5:18) Rather, he was demonstrating godlike generosity. Since wine was a common beverage, any surplus could be used on other occasions.—Compare Matthew 14:14-20; 15:32-37.

Early Christians imitated Jesus’ example of generosity. (Compare Acts 4:34, 35.) And God’s people today are likewise encouraged to “practice giving.” (Luke 6:38) However, Jesus’ first miracle also has prophetic import. It points to a future time when God will generously provide “a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs,” completely eliminating hunger.—Isaiah 25:6.

Answer 4

You must understand that this was the request of his mother to help out the wedding since there was no wine left.

By turning water into wine, it was his first miracle. Purified water does not have the same impact like turning water into wine since both items are completely different in terms of taste and colour.

Answer 5

I always thought that a perfect god messiah would be in tune with some real human problems, and maybe create an efficient and cheap process to turn sea water into drinkable water. That would be a real miracle. The amount of people who die of dehydration each day is appalling.

Answer 6

You have a really good point. Don't know if it was the case there but in many places of the world the standing water is unfit to drink.

Actually, if you read that passage, Jesus really didn't intend to do a miracle there. He was only obeying His mother who put Him on the spot. He kindly scolded her for taking advantage of Him but granted her wish anyways.

Answer 7

??? I think water back then was relatively pure. No chemicals and such.

He turned it into wine for his Mary. They were running out. And they drank a lot of wine back then. And most of the time when wine is mentioned it scripture it is just referring to normal juice.

Answer 8

Carbonated water. At least there'd be some fizz.

Answer 9

I doubt that Lake Tiberias would've have needed purification back them. Hey,you like dumb questions or what?

Answer 10

It was just a matter of faith, and also there were in a party and run out of wine..............

Answer 11

yes, for the children too