John 2:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Fill the water-pots with water:— Mary was without doubt blameable for presuming to direct her Son in the duties of his ministry, her parental authority not extending to those matters; therefore he very justly gave her the gentle rebuke, John 2:4 in which he insinuated that his miracles were not to be performed at the desire of his relations for civil and private reasons; but in pursuance of the great ends that he had in charge,—the conversion and salvation of mankind. But though Mary might have had only private reasons of conveniency for asking this miracle, yet Jesus, knowing that it would tend to the confirmation of his disciples' faith, and to the advancement of his great cause, thought proper to comply; being not the less willing to exert his power, because his friends would reap some benefit from the matter of the miracle. Ordering the servants therefore to fill thewater-pots, which were at hand, to the brim, with water, he converted the whole mass of the liquid into excellent wine. The quantity of water turned into wine on this occasion, deserves notice. We have spoken something on the subject in the preceding note. The following is Dr. Macknight's remark: "The six water-pots in which the wine was formed, being appointed, for such purifications or washings as required the immersion of the whole body, were of a very large capacity; so that, being filled to the brim, there was an abundance of wine produced: but the deists, a sort of people who look on all Christ's actions with an evil eye, have not let this escape their censure, making it the subject of ridicule. This might have been spared, had they considered that the speech made by the governor of the feast to the bridegroom, John 2:10 does not imply that any of the company were drunk, as they would have itbelieved: it is only a comparison between the order in which he had produced his liquor, and that commonly observed by other people. [But see the note on that verse.] Besides, it ought to be considered, that Jesus did not order all the wine he furnished to be drank at this solemnity; though, according to the custom of Judea, it lasted a whole week. [See Judges 14:12; Joshua 14:20 and the notes on Solomon's Song.] It is probable, that our Lord designed to provide for the future occasions of the new-married couple, making them a valuable and seasonable nuptial present in this delicate though miraculous manner: and surely he, who in the first creation made such liberal provision for the necessities of men, might on a particular occasion, when he was formingnourishment for the natural life of his friends, do it plentifully; because thus the favour was enhanced, and by the quantity furnished he both shewed his own exuberant goodness, and gave such magnificence to the miracle, as removed it beyond all probability of fraud. Whereas, had the quantity been considerably less,—only the cup, for instance, which was borne to the governor of the feast (as some have thought), who knows but the enemies of Christianity might have affirmed that here was no miracle at all; but that the water was artfully changed, and wine put into its place?—an impossible cheat in so large a quantity, especially as the transmutation happened the moment the vessels were filled. We need not then dispute with the deists, concerning the capacity of the measure mentioned by the Evangelist: let them make it as large as they please; let them suppose it was the attic measure of that name, equal to our firkin, and that each water-pot held three of those measures, the miracle will still be decent, and in all respects worthy both of the wisdom and goodness of him who performed it."