Глава вторая

John 2:1. On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. John 2:2. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to a wedding. They invite the Lord to the wedding not because they have seen His miracles, not as a great man, but simply as an acquaintance. Denoting this, the evangelist says: “the Mother of Jesus was there” and His brothers. As she and her brothers were called, so was the Lord. The Lord does not reject the invitation and comes because He did not look at his own dignity, but at what is useful and beneficial for us. Anyone who did not consider it low to be among slaves, all the more could not consider it low to marry. John 2:3. And because there was a shortage of wine, the Mother of Jesus said to Him: They have no wine. The Mother convinces Him to perform a miracle, because from the events of conception and birth She received a high concept of His power. For She kept everything in her heart (Luke 2:19-51) and from here she concluded that Her Son has power above man. But the Mother of God had no reason to ask Jesus to perform a miracle, as if He performed other miracles. For, being a youth, He did not perform a single miracle; otherwise He would be known to everyone. At the same time, the Mother also remembered John’s reviews in which he testified about Him, she already saw that the disciples were following Him, and from all this she guessed about the power of the Son. John 2:4. Jesus says to her: What is it for me and for you, woman? My hour has not yet come. But He reproaches Her, and not without reason. “If,” he says, “there is no wine, then it was necessary for those who do not have it to come and ask, and not for You, Mother.” For when one’s own people ask to perform a miracle, the spectators are tempted, but when those in need themselves ask, then the matter is free from suspicion. “My hour has not yet come,” he said, not because he is dependent on time or watches certain hours (for how is this fitting for the Creator of times and ages?), but because he does everything at the right time. Since He was invisible and unknown to many, because not everyone was disciples, and even those present at the wedding did not know Him, for in that case they themselves would have asked for wine - since all this was so, he said: “My hour has not yet come,” that is, the proper time has not come. But the fury of Arius still arises, trying to prove that the Lord is subject to hours and times. So, learn, damn it! If He depended on the clock, then how did He finally perform the miracle? For if, according to you, He is dependent on hours and times, and His hour has not yet come, it would follow that He is not able to perform a miracle. However, He performed a miracle; hence independent of the clock. Notice, perhaps, how He does not completely oppose the Mother in everything, but reproached her a little and again fulfills Her request, giving Her honor and giving us an example of respect for parents. John 2:5. His mother said to the servants: whatever He tells you, do it. The mother tells the servants “whatever He tells you, do it” so that the request is strengthened through an attack and petition from them themselves, so that it is clear that the refusal was not from powerlessness, but in order to ward off the opinion that he resorts to miracles out of self-praise and empty pomposity. John 2:6. There were six stone waterpots, standing according to the custom of Jewish purification, containing two or three measures. Stone waterpots were used to cleanse the Jews. For the Jews washed themselves almost every day and then began to eat. Whether they touched a leper, a dead man, or communicated with a woman, they washed themselves as if they were already unclean. And since Palestine was waterless and it was impossible to find many sources, they always filled waterpots with water so as not to run to the rivers in case of desecration. It was not without purpose that he said “according to the custom of Jewish purification,” but so that any of the infidels would not think that some sediment of wine remained in the vessels, then, when water was poured in and mixed, the weakest wine was formed - shows that they were never containers for wine. John 2:7. Jesus says to them: Fill the vessels with water. And they filled them to the top. But could He really not produce wine from nothing without filling the vessels with water? Of course he could; but the greatness of miracles often diminishes their acceptability. The purpose could also have been for the servants who carried the water in the vessels to be witnesses to the miracle. Again, so that we may learn that He transforms wine and the moisture of grapes, which is completely water. John 2:8. And he says to them: Now draw some and bring it to the master of the feast. And they carried it. He orders the servants to serve a drink for the master of the feast to taste, not without a purpose, but so that no one would think that there was a meeting of drunkards, their taste deteriorated, and in a state of intoxication they mistook the water for wine. To prevent such suspicion from taking place, He leaves the tasting to the sober steward of the feast. For those to whom the ministry was entrusted on such occasions strictly refrained, so that under their orders everything would happen in order and decorum. But let us pray that this will happen to us too, that now a kind of marriage will take place, that is, the union of God with our soul, while we are still in Cana of Galilee, that is, in the country of this low and degraded world, perverse and transformative in all respects. This marriage does not happen without the presence of Christ and His Mother and disciples. For how can one be united with God who does not believe in Christ, who was born of Mary and spoke among the apostles? Let us see what miracle the Lord performs with such a marriage and with such a union of God with the soul. He turns water into wine and fills our six stone waterpots. By “water” you can understand our wateriness, humidity and relaxation in life and opinions; under the five “water bearers” there are five senses with which we make mistakes in business; under the sixth water bearer is the mind by which we waver in opinions. So, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel Word, healing our failings, whether in active life, in mental or contemplative life, transforms the liquid and non-solid in us into “wine”, that is, into life and teaching, astringent and cheerful, and thus our six water pots are filled with this wonderful drink - feelings, so that we do not sin in activity, - reason, so that we do not sin in opinions. Take into account that there were stone waterpots there according to the custom of Jewish purification. The word "Judas" means "confession." The person who confesses is cleansed in the five senses with which he previously sinned. The eye saw poorly; the eye cries during confession and thus serves for purification. The ear heard prodigal songs; it again leans towards the words of the mouth of God. The same happens with other feelings. Reason errs in opinion; he again cleanses the former evil, bowing to correct wisdom. Water carriers are “stone” either because our composition is made of earth, or because the intended containers for such wine must be hard and indestructible. Paul's mind was a stone water-pot even at the time when he was persecuting, for he was jealous, according to the traditions of his fathers, more than all his peers (Gal. 1:14); and at the time when he preached, for he had such power in words that the Lycaonians, as the leader in the word, considered him to be Hermias (Acts 14:12). John 2:9. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine - and he did not know where this wine came from, only the servants who drew the water knew - then the steward calls the groom John 2:10. And he says to him: Every person first serves good wine, and when they get drunk, then the worst; and you have saved good wine until now. The master of the feast asks not the servants, but the groom. Why? Of course, according to God's dispensation. If he had asked the ministers, they would, of course, have discovered a miracle; but no one would have believed them, for it was the beginning of signs, and no one yet had a great idea about Christ, so no one would have believed it if the ministers had told about the miracle. However, when after this He performed other miracles, the present should have become reliable, and the ministers, telling everyone about it, could little by little gain confidence. For this reason, the Lord arranged it so that it was not the ministers who were asked, but the groom. The Lord not only created wine from water, but beautiful wine. For the miracles of Christ are such that they are much more excellent than what is performed by nature. The fact that the water was transformed into wine is evidenced by the servants who drew the water; that it was beautiful - the master of the feast. All this has been preached over time, and those who heard about it should have been very firmly convinced. By “wine” you can understand the Gospel teaching, and by “water” everything that preceded the Gospel, which was very watery and did not have the perfection of the Gospel teaching. Let me give you an example: the Lord gave man different laws, one in paradise (Genesis 2:16–17), another under Noah (Genesis 9), a third under Abraham about circumcision (Genesis 17), a fourth through Moses (Exodus 19; Exodus 20), a fifth through the prophets. All these laws are watery in comparison with the accuracy and power of the Gospel, if anyone understands them simply and literally. If anyone delves into their spirit and understands what is hidden in them, he will find water turned into wine. For he who discerns spiritually what is said simply and is understood literally by many will, without a doubt, find in this water excellent wine, which is subsequently drunk and preserved by the bridegroom Christ, since the Gospel appeared in the last times. John 2:11. Thus Jesus began miracles in Cana of Galilee and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. That the Lord began to work miracles after His baptism, we talked about this before. But it seems that He performed the first miracle precisely by turning water into wine. For it is said: “thus laid the “beginning” of miracles.” But another will say: “if this miracle is the beginning of miracles, then not all, but only those performed in Cana of Galilee; since He performed various miracles in Cana, this is the beginning for them.” Although we have much to confirm that a real miracle is the beginning of all miracles, because the words “and He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him,” show that before this He had not performed another miracle by which He would have revealed His glory; however, we will not argue whether it was the first miracle or another. How did He reveal His glory? After all, few were present at this event, and it was not committed in front of the people? But if not then, then later everyone should have heard about this miracle, as it is still being proclaimed, and did not remain unknown. The words “His disciples believed in Him” should be understood to mean that they had greater and stronger faith in Him. They believed before, of course, but they did not believe so firmly. John 2:12. After this He came to Capernaum, Himself and His Mother, and His brothers, and His disciples; and they stayed there for a few days. The Lord comes to Capernaum for no other purpose than to leave His Mother there, so as not to lead her around with Him. Since they went to Cana for the wedding, but the marriage ended, He returns the Mother to Capernaum to Her house. And that for this very reason the Lord comes to Capernaum, this is revealed from the fact that He stayed there for a few days and did not perform miracles there, because the inhabitants of this city did not have faith in Him, which is why the Lord in another place expresses grief to him (Matthew 11:23). John 2:13. The Passover of the Jews was approaching, and Jesus came to Jerusalem With the words “Easter was approaching,” the evangelist shows that Jesus was baptized shortly before Easter. John 2:14. And he found that oxen, sheep and doves were being sold in the church, and money changers were sitting. John 2:15. And, making a scourge of ropes, he drove everyone out of the church, including the sheep and oxen; and he scattered the money from the money changers and overturned their tables. John 2:16. And he said to those who sold doves: Take this from here, and do not make My Father’s house a house of trade. Having come to Jerusalem, He performs a deed that reveals complete autocracy, namely: he drives out of the church those who were selling sheep and oxen. Although Matthew (Matthew 21:12-13) talks about this, know that He did this more than once. He does what is told in Matthew close to His sufferings, and what is told in John He does at the beginning of the signs. Therefore, here he said with relief: “Do not make My Father’s house a house of trade.” For the miracles were just beginning, and He did not yet have the courage that the miracles gave. And there, that is, in Matthew, he says: “Do not make a den of thieves.” He clearly called them robbers, as those who profit by unjust means. For whoever values ​​a little thing at a high price and, on occasion, takes advantage of the poor and widows (as those who buy up necessary items and then sell them usually do), what else does he do but commit robbery, taking advantage of the misfortune of his neighbors? Why does He completely drive such people out of the church? Not without reason: He will heal on the Sabbath and, as it were, break the law about it; therefore, so that He would not be considered an opponent of God, He prevents such a thought with this case. For whoever has shown such zeal for the church will not deny God, the Lord of the church. And he didn’t just kick them out, but hitting them with a whip from the ropes, and overturned tables, and scattered coins or money of the money changers, and decided on a very dangerous matter. And whoever puts himself in danger for the house of God will allow a deviation from the law of God, not as an opponent of God, but, without a doubt, as a Son who has equal power with God and the Father, who gave the law on the Sabbath. Therefore, he did not say “the house of God,” but “the house of My Father,” showing that He, as the Son, has power over everything that belongs to the Father. Moneychangers are those who sell small coins or nummata. Like the merchants of that time, many of the high priests sin when they sell “oxen” in the church, not giving honor to those who are distinguished in the teaching word, but giving it to those who want to do evil, when they sell “sheep” - the simple and ordinary people, “doves” - spiritual gifts, and when they put to the highest degree those who give more; The Lord “drives” such people out of the sanctuary, finding them, according to His judgment, unworthy of the high priesthood. Also, if someone sells large and small coin, that is, opinion and word, and being a teacher, but not foreseeing the benefit, does not proclaim the word of the Gospel, then the Lord “overturns” both his “table,” that is, the title of teacher, and the teaching that he withholds out of malice, not giving it to everyone; Meanwhile, the Lord Jesus removes such a one from power, and places another, worthy one, on the teacher’s table. John 2:17. At this, His disciples remembered that it was written: Zeal for Thy house consumes Me. The disciples remembered what was written: zeal for Your house consumes me (Ps. 68:10). In a little more time they grow in goodness, but they already remember passages from the Scriptures and, finding evidence in them, become more and more confirmed in their knowledge of Christ. John 2:18. To this the Jews said: By what sign will you prove to us that you have the power to do this? When the Jews saw that the Lord was doing this with great authority and saying, “Do not make My Father’s house a market,” they said, “Assure us by some miracle that You are the Son of God and that You were sent by Him. For how can it be seen that the Lord of this house is Your Father?” John 2:19. Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this church, and in three days I will raise it up. He answers them in kind, saying, “destroy this church,” no doubt speaking about His body, because the entire Divinity of the Only Begotten dwelt in it. The word “destroy” does not encourage them to kill (get rid of such a thought!), but, knowing their intention to do this, it hints at what will happen urgently. Let the Arians hear how the Lord and destroyer of death says, “I will raise up.” He did not say “The Father will raise it up,” but “I will raise it up,” using my own strength, and not needing someone else’s from outside. John 2:20. To this the Jews said: This church took forty-six years to build, and will You raise it up in three days? The Jews, thinking that He is talking about a soulless church, laugh at Him. “How,” they say, “do you say that you will erect it in three days, when it took forty-six years to build?” You need to know that when the church was first built under Solomon, then everything was needlessly completed in twenty years. Subsequently, when the Jews, after the captivity, received permission to build the church, they began to renew it during the reign of Cyrus; then, having encountered obstacles from envious people, they continued construction until the reign of Artaxerxes; with him, enjoying complete safety, they could finish this matter with great difficulty. When it is said that during the construction the Jews held a spear in one hand and a building tool in the other, then they were in such great fear from the neighboring Edomites, and not from the Persians, for from them, that is, from the Persians, as I said, they enjoyed complete security. About this construction, which took place after the captivity, they say that it lasted forty-six years, since the Jews were prevented, and therefore they extended it from the reign of Cyrus to Artaxerxes. John 2:21. And He spoke about the church of His body. John 2:22. When He rose from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said these things, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. And it is not surprising that the Jews, as well as the disciples, did not understand the words of Jesus. For them there were two greatest difficulties: one is that the matter of the resurrection is very incomprehensible, especially since it is completely unknown to them; another is that he who lives in the body is God. However, after the resurrection, the disciples understood and believed the Scripture. Which Scripture? And to everyone who prefaces the resurrection, and, as the clearest, this: “You will not leave my soul in hell” (Ps. 15:10), and this: “The Lord wants to cleanse him from the wound and show him the light” (Is. 53:11). For these passages of Scripture very clearly foreshadow the resurrection. Apollinaris tries to find defense of his heresy here. Wanting to confirm that the Lord’s flesh was without a soul, he says: “The flesh is called a church, but the church is soulless; therefore, she too is soulless.” Thunderstruck and dizzy! You will make the flesh of the Lord, perhaps, with trees and stones, since the church is made of them?! When you hear the words of the Lord: “My soul is now troubled” (John 12:27) and “I have power to lay down My life” (John 10:18), then how do you understand them? If you say that this is not said about the verbal and rational soul, then where will you put the words “Father! into Your hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46)? Will you really understand this about an unreasonable soul? And this: “You will not leave my soul in hell” (Ps. 15:10), what do you think? But perish with your like-minded people. John 2:23. And when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover holiday, many, seeing the miracles that He performed, believed in His name. When Jesus was at the feast, some apparently believed in His name; but their faith was unsteady. For, heeding for a time Christ not as God, but as a God-bearing man, they again fell away from this most insignificant faith. And that they were such can be seen from the following. John 2:24. But Jesus Himself did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew everyone John 2:25. And he did not need anyone to testify about man, for He Himself knew what was in man. “Jesus Himself,” it is said, “Jesus did not entrust Himself to them” and did not convey the entire teaching, as to untrue believers, penetrating into their hearts (Ps. 93:11; Jer. 17:10) and knowing what was in them about Him. For it was not hidden from Him what was the thought in every person who apparently believed.