Joh 2:1 | KingComments | STEP | John, the author of this Gospel, here speaks of “the third day”. By this he can mean the third day after the Lord’s coming to Galilee or also the third day after the Lord’s conversation with Nathanael at the end of the previous chapter. Earlier he spoke several times about “the next day” ( ). The fact that John speaks about this each time not only has a historical meaning, but above all a prophetic meaning. In these days that follow one another, we can see an order of successive periods, each with a special characteristic. In each of these periods the Lord Jesus is central, but each time He is seen in a different relationship and glory. The first time there is talk of “the next day” ( ) this day is preceded by a day That day can be called the first day, a day that is dominated by the preaching of John ( ). Also, something precedes that first day and that is what is written in the first part of John 1 ( ). That part is a general introduction to the whole Gospel. It is about the Word that is eternal and has become flesh and thus entered the world, connecting eternity with time and life on earth. As soon as that is the case, the testimony of John the baptist sounds. John the baptist is bound to the Old Testament, but his coming closes that period ( ). It is about Him Who comes after him. He points to Him “the next day” ( ) as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world and testifies of Him that He is the Son of God ( ). That is a stand-alone testimony about the Person and work of Christ, the results of which extend to all eternity. The subsequent “next day” ( ) Christ becomes the point of attraction for believers ( ). We can relate this to the time in which we live and in which the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, forms the church and connects her to Himself. This may be experienced when believers gather around Him ( ). On yet another ”next day” ( ) we hear the testimony of Nathanael. In this testimony, Nathanael confesses that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. Thus Nathanael, as a God-fearing Israelite, got to know Him from Psalm 2 ( ). Nathanael is a picture of the believing remnant of Israel that will acknowledge Him as Son of God and King of Israel. This will happen when He returns to His people Israel after the period of the church to fulfill the long-promised blessing for that people. Then and finally, John 2 speaks of “the third day” ( ). The third day in scripture often speaks of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and thus the introduction of a new order of affairs. Here we see Christ in the realm of peace, where He brings blessing and joy to His people and through them to the whole earth. That is why John, in connection with the “third day”, speaks of a wedding. It is an illustration of the ”greater things” which the Lord has spoken of in the last verse of the previous chapter ( ). The fact that it is a blessing in which the people of Israel will also participate can be seen from the mention that “the mother of Jesus” was also there. For Christ was born of Israel ( ). Besides the general blessing for the whole earth there is also a special blessing for Israel. That blessing can only come when this people, i.e. a believing remnant, will have converted to Him. In connection with that conversion there is also talk of a ”third day” ( ).

‏ John 2:1

A Wedding on the Third Day

John, the author of this Gospel, here speaks of “the third day”. By this he can mean the third day after the Lord’s coming to Galilee or also the third day after the Lord’s conversation with Nathanael at the end of the previous chapter. Earlier he spoke several times about “the next day” (Jn 1:29 ; 35 ; 43). The fact that John speaks about this each time not only has a historical meaning, but above all a prophetic meaning. In these days that follow one another, we can see an order of successive periods, each with a special characteristic. In each of these periods the Lord Jesus is central, but each time He is seen in a different relationship and glory.

The first time there is talk of “the next day” (Jn 1:29) this day is preceded by a day That day can be called the first day, a day that is dominated by the preaching of John (Jn 1:19-28). Also, something precedes that first day and that is what is written in the first part of John 1 (Jn 1:1-18). That part is a general introduction to the whole Gospel. It is about the Word that is eternal and has become flesh and thus entered the world, connecting eternity with time and life on earth. As soon as that is the case, the testimony of John the baptist sounds. John the baptist is bound to the Old Testament, but his coming closes that period (Mt 11:13). It is about Him Who comes after him.

He points to Him “the next day” (Jn 1:29) as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world and testifies of Him that He is the Son of God (Jn 1:29-34). That is a stand-alone testimony about the Person and work of Christ, the results of which extend to all eternity.

The subsequent “next day” (Jn 1:35) Christ becomes the point of attraction for believers (Jn 1:35-42). We can relate this to the time in which we live and in which the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, forms the church and connects her to Himself. This may be experienced when believers gather around Him (Mt 18:20).

On yet another ”next day” (Jn 1:43) we hear the testimony of Nathanael. In this testimony, Nathanael confesses that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. Thus Nathanael, as a God-fearing Israelite, got to know Him from Psalm 2 (Psa 2:6-7). Nathanael is a picture of the believing remnant of Israel that will acknowledge Him as Son of God and King of Israel. This will happen when He returns to His people Israel after the period of the church to fulfill the long-promised blessing for that people.

Then and finally, John 2 speaks of “the third day” (Jn 2:1). The third day in scripture often speaks of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and thus the introduction of a new order of affairs. Here we see Christ in the realm of peace, where He brings blessing and joy to His people and through them to the whole earth. That is why John, in connection with the “third day”, speaks of a wedding. It is an illustration of the ”greater things” which the Lord has spoken of in the last verse of the previous chapter (Jn 1:50-51).

The fact that it is a blessing in which the people of Israel will also participate can be seen from the mention that “the mother of Jesus” was also there. For Christ was born of Israel (Rom 9:4-5). Besides the general blessing for the whole earth there is also a special blessing for Israel. That blessing can only come when this people, i.e. a believing remnant, will have converted to Him. In connection with that conversion there is also talk of a ”third day” (Hos 6:1-2).