The Wedding at Cana
At a wedding celebration, Jesus performs His first miracle by turning water into wine, revealing His glory and leading His disciples to believe in Him.
John 2:1-12
Take the John 2 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore John Chapters
Study all chapters of John
The Story
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to Him, 'They have no more wine.' In that culture, running out of wine at a wedding was a serious social embarrassment for the family.
'Woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. 'My hour has not yet come.'
His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever He tells you.'
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim.
Then He told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so.
The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, 'Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.'
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
In turning water to wine, Jesus was doing more than solving a social problem. He was revealing who He was. The water in those ceremonial jars—water used for Jewish purification rituals—became wine of the finest quality. The old was being transformed into the new. The Creator of all things was at work, and those with eyes to see could glimpse His glory.
Jesus Makes the Best Drink Ever
Kids Version
Jesus and His friends went to a wedding party. Jesus' mom Mary was there too. Weddings back then were big celebrations that lasted for days!
But uh oh—there was a problem. The wedding ran out of drinks for all the guests! This was very embarrassing for the bride and groom's family.
Mary came to Jesus. 'They have no more wine,' she said.
Jesus said, 'My time hasn't come yet.'
But Mary told the servants, 'Do whatever Jesus tells you to do.'
Jesus saw six big stone jars sitting nearby. They were HUGE—each one could hold lots and lots of water.
'Fill those jars with water,' Jesus said.
The servants filled the jars all the way to the very top.
'Now pour some out and take it to the man in charge of the party,' Jesus said.
The servants did what Jesus said. When the man in charge tasted it, his eyes got big! It wasn't water anymore—it was the BEST drink he had ever tasted!
He called over the groom. 'Most people serve the best drinks first,' he said. 'But you saved the BEST for last! This is amazing!'
The servants knew what had happened. Jesus had turned plain water into the most delicious drink ever!
This was the first miracle Jesus ever did. When His friends saw it, they knew Jesus was really special. They believed in Him even more.
Jesus can take something ordinary and make it extraordinary!
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from John.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — John 2:1-12 (KJV)
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Memory Verse
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:”
— John 2:1 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “The Wedding at Cana”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Miracles of Jesus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Wedding at Cana” in the Bible?
At a wedding celebration, Jesus performs His first miracle by turning water into wine, revealing His glory and leading His disciples to believe in Him. This story is found in John 2:1-12.
Where is “The Wedding at Cana” found in the Bible?
“The Wedding at Cana” is found in John 2:1-12, in the book of John.
What can children learn from “The Wedding at Cana”?
This story teaches children about Jesus' Glory, First Miracle, Abundance, Obedience, Joy. At a wedding party, they ran out of drinks for the guests. Jesus turned plain water into the most delicious drink anyone had ever tasted!