John 2:12 - Homiletics

The transition between private and public life.

Before our Lord entered on his public life at Jerusalem, he goes back, as it were, for a moment into the retirement of his family.

I. THE SCENE OF OUR LORD 'S VISIT . "After this he went down to Capernaum."

1 . It was the Jewish capital of Galilee, down upon the Sea of Tiberias, an important place of commerce.

2 . It became, after Nazareth, the home of Jesus. ( Matthew 4:13 .) It is called "his own city" ( Matthew 9:1 ). On the occasion of the present visit he had come directly from Nazareth, after the Cana miracle.

3 . It was a city honoured by the working of many miracles ; yet, notwithstanding, distinguished by a most perverse unbelief. "Thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be cast down to hell" ( Matthew 11:23 ).

4 . It is now a ruin, identified as Tell-Hum.

II. THE OCCASION AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS VISIT . It has a double aspect so far as it relates to Christ's relatives and to his disciples. "His mother and brethren are still with him, attached merely by nature; his disciples newly attached by faith."

1 . Christ recognized the tender ties of kinship. He allowed his mother and his brothers—though they did not yet believe in him—to enjoy the satisfaction of his society for a time before his entrance upon his public ministry.

2 . Christ definitely called the disciples to the apostleship during this visit. This is evident from Matthew 10:1 . The call was followed by the miraculous draught of fishes. The disciples were henceforth to follow Christ forever.