John 2 : Easy-to-Read Version
The Wedding at Cana
2 1Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. 2Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding. 3At the wedding there was not enough wine. After the wine was all gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4Jesus answered, "Dear woman, you should not tell me what to do. My time has not yet come." 5Jesus' mother said to the servants, "Do what Jesus tells you to do." 6In that place there were six large waterpots made of stone. The Jews used waterpots like these in their washing ceremonies.* Each waterpot held about 20 or 30 gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill those waterpots with water." So the servants filled the pots to the top. 8Then Jesus said to the servants, "Now take out some water. Carry the water to the master of the feast." So the servants brought the water to the master. 9Then the man in charge of the wedding feast tasted it, but the water had become wine. The man did not know where the wine came from. But the servants that brought the water knew where it came from. The master of the wedding called the bridegroom.* 10He said to the bridegroom, "People always serve the best wine first. Later, after the guests have become drunk, people serve the cheaper wine. But you have saved the best wine until now." 11This was the first miracle* that Jesus did. Jesus did this miracle in the town of Cana in Galilee. So Jesus showed his greatness. And his followers believed in him. 12Then Jesus went to the town of Capernaum.* Jesus' mother and brothers and his followers went with him. They all stayed in Capernaum a few days.
Jesus at the Temple(Mt. 21:12-13; Mk. 11:15-17; Lk. 19:45-46)
13It was almost time for the Jewish Passover.* So Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14In Jerusalem Jesus went to the temple.* In the temple area Jesus saw men selling cattle, sheep, and doves. Jesus saw other men sitting at tables. These men were exchanging and trading people's money. 15Jesus made a whip with some pieces of rope. Then Jesus forced all these men and the sheep and cattle to leave the temple area. Jesus turned over the tables and scattered the money of the men that exchange money. 16Then Jesus said to the men that were selling pigeons, "Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a place for buying and selling!" 17When this happened the followers of Jesus remembered what was written [in the Scriptures*]: "My excitement for your house will destroy me." Psalm 69:9
18The Jews said to Jesus, "Show us a miracle* for a sign. Prove that you have the right to do these things." 19Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days." 20The Jews answered, "People worked 46 years to build this temple! Do you really believe you can build it again in three days?" 21(But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. 22After Jesus was raised from death, his followers remembered that Jesus had said this. So his followers believed the Scripture* [about him], and they believed the words Jesus said.) 23Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover* festival. Many people believed in Jesus because they saw the miracles* he did. 24But Jesus did not trust them. Why? Because Jesus knew the things people were thinking. 25Jesus did not need any person to tell him about people. Jesus knew what was in a person's mind.
washing ceremonies The Jews had religious rules about washing in special ways before eating, before worshiping in the temple, and at other special times. bridegroom A man that is getting married. miracle(s) Miracles are amazing works done by God's power. Capernaum A town in Galilee where Jesus taught. Passover An important Jewish holy day. The Jews ate a special meal on this day every year to remember that God freed them from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses. temple The special building in Jerusalem for Jewish worship. Scriptures Holy Writings--the Old Testament.