John 2:12

2. Jesus’ initial stay in Capernaum 2:12

Sometime after the miracle just narrated, Jesus went down topographically from Cana to Capernaum. Cana was on a higher elevation than Capernaum, though Capernaum was about 13 miles northeast of Cana. Some family members (cf. Matthew 12:46; Mark 6:3) and Jesus’ disciples accompanied Him. Jesus had physical brothers. The idea of Mary’s perpetual virginity first appeared in the second century. Evidently this was only for a short stay since John wrote that they stayed a few days. Jesus adopted Capernaum as His ministry base in Galilee and moved there from Nazareth (Matthew 4:13; Mark 1:21; Mark 2:1). That may have happened now, or it may have taken place after this event. The purpose of this verse in John’s narrative is transitional.