John 2:1-12

B. The early Galilean ministry 2:1-12

John’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry highlights the fact that Jesus replaced what was old with something new (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17). New wine replaced old water. Later a clean temple replaced a dirty one, a new birth replaced an old birth, living (flowing) water replaced well water, and new worship replaced old worship. [Note: C. H. Dodd, The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel, p. 297.] The larger underlying theme continues to be the revelation of Jesus’ identity.