Water Turned into Wine in the Bible

The first miracle of Jesus, performed at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, turned water meant for purification into excellent wine (John 2:1-11). By this inaugural sign, Jesus revealed his glory as the Messiah come to change the ordinary into the extraordinary, emptiness into fullness, and insufficiency into overflowing abundance. The evangelist notes that there were six stone jars used for the Jewish rites of purification, a symbol of the law and its observances. It is precisely this water of purification that the Lord changes into new wine, an eloquent image of the age of grace that Christ comes to inaugurate. Where the law could offer only an outward cleansing, the gospel brings inward joy and new life. John records that by this sign Jesus "manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him" (John 2:11). The miracle is not aimed merely at meeting a material lack at a village feast, but at revealing the divine identity of the one who commands creation itself. Jesus' concern for an ordinary wedding also shows his compassion toward the simplest human needs. Mary, the mother of Jesus, expresses trusting faith when she tells the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5). This first sign opens the whole public ministry of the Lord, announcing that the best is yet to come with the Messiah.