John 2:8

8 "Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host," Jesus said, and they did.

John 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

John 2:8

And he saith unto them, draw out now
As soon as ever the vessels were filled with water, without any more delay, he ordered the servants to draw out of those larger, into lesser vessels; he does not say what, water or wine:

and bear unto the governor of the feast;
who either had the ordering and management of the feast, and the command of the whole affair; hence the Ethiopic version calls him, "the master of the waiters", or servants: or he was the chief guest, as the word seems to import, who sat, or rather lay, on the chief couch at the table; and so a proper person to begin with, and put the cup round: or else he might be doctor or chaplain: for such an one was necessary at a marriage; since there were six or seven benedictions to be pronounced; and particularly a blessing was said over the cup of wine; for if there was any wine, a cup of it was brought, and he blessed over it first, and ordered every thing concerning the cup: and this made up seven blessings at such a time F25; and therefore was a very fit person to bear the wine to first:

and they bore it;
the servants having drawn out of the stone vessels, by cocks, into smaller ones, carried the liquor, as they were ordered, to the above person.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Maimon. Hilchot Ishot, c. 10. sect. 3, 4.

John 2:8 In-Context

6 Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus ordered the servants, "Fill the pots with water." And they filled them to the brim.
8 "Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host," Jesus said, and they did.
9 When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom,
10 "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.