Chapter 2 of John’s Gospel presents Jesus’ first two great public gestures: the transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana and the expulsion of the merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem. Through the passage from the water of the old law to the new wine of grace, and the purification of external worship, the Vulgate reveals the establishment of a new covenant engraved on the Lord’s very body.
Parallel Text: Latin Vulgate vs. Kairós Adaptation
Below is the sacred text of the Clementine Vulgate alongside the Kairós contemplative translation, designed for prayer and meditation.
| Latin Text (Vulgata Clementina) | Kairós Contemplative Adaptation |
|---|---|
| [1] Et die tertia nuptiae factae sunt in Cana Galilaeae: et erat mater Iesu ibi. | [1] On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. |
| [2] Vocatus est autem et Iesus, et discipuli eius ad nuptias. | [2] Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. |
| [3] Et deficiente vino, dicit mater Iesu ad eum: Vinum non habent. | [3] When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him with quiet confidence, “They have no wine.” |
| [4] Et dicit ei Iesus: Quid mihi et tibi est, mulier? nondum venit hora mea. | [4] Jesus answered her, “What does this concern you and me, woman? My hour has not yet come.” |
| [5] Dicit mater eius ministris: Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite. | [5] Knowing His heart, His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” |
| [6] Erant autem ibi lapideae hydriae sex positae secundum purificationem Iudaeorum, capientes singulae metretas binas vel ternas. | [6] Now there were six stone water jars set there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. |
| [7] Dicit eis Iesus: Implete hydrias aqua. Et impleverunt eas usque ad summum. | [7] Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. |
| [8] Et dicit eis Iesus: Haurite nunc, et ferte architriclino. Et tulerunt. | [8] Then He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. |
| [9] Ut autem gustavit architriclinus aquam vinum factam, et non sciebat unde esset, ministri autem sciebant qui haurierant aquam: vocat sponsum architriclinus, | [9] When the master of the feast tasted the water that had become wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom |
| [10] et dicit ei: Omnis homo primum bonum vinum ponit: et cum inebriati fuerint, tunc id quod deterius est. Tu autem servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc. | [10] and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then the poorer wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” |
| [11] Hoc fecit initium signorum Iesus in Cana Galilaeae: et manifestavit gloriam suam, et crediderunt in eum discipuli eius. | [11] This, the first of His signs, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. |
| [12] Post hoc descendit Capharnaum ipse, et mater eius, et fratres eius, et discipuli eius: et ibi manserunt non multis diebus. | [12] After this He went down to Capernaum with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, and they stayed there a few days. |
| [13] Et prope erat Pascha Iudaeorum, et ascendit Iesus Ierosolymam: | [13] The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. |
| [14] et invenit in templo vendentes boves, et oves, et columbas, et numularios sedentes. | [14] In the Temple He found those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers sitting at their tables. |
| [15] Et cum fecisset quasi flagellum de funiculis, omnes eiecit de templo, oves quoque, et boves, et numulariorum effudit aes, et mensas subvertit. | [15] Making a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and oxen; He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. |
| [16] et his qui columbas vendebant, dixit: Auferte ista hinc, et nolite facere domum Patris mei domum negotiationis. | [16] To those who sold doves He said with firm authority: “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” |
| [17] Recordati vero sunt discipuli eius quia scriptum est: Zelus domus tuae comedit me. | [17] His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for your house consumes me.” |
| [18] Responderunt ergo Iudaei, et dixerunt ei: Quod signum ostendis nobis, quia haec facis? | [18] The Jews intervened and asked Him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” |
| [19] Respondit Iesus, et dixit eis: Solvite templum hoc, et in tribus diebus excitabo illud. | [19] Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” |
| [20] Dixerunt ergo Iudaei: Quadraginta et sex annis aedificatum est templum hoc, et tu in tribus diebus excitabis illud? | [20] The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” |
| [21] Ille autem dicebat de templo corporis sui. | [21] But He was speaking of the temple of His body. |
| [22] Cum ergo resurrexisset a mortuis, recordati sunt discipuli eius quia hoc dicebat, et crediderunt scripturae, et sermoni quem dixit Iesus. | [22] When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. |
| [23] Cum autem esset Ierosolymis in Pascha in die festo, multi crediderunt in nomine eius, videntes signa eius quae faciebat. | [23] Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He did. |
| [24] Ipse autem Iesus non credebat semetipsum eis, eo quod ipse nosset omnes, | [24] But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all men, |
| [25] et quia opus ei non erat ut quis testimonium perhiberet de homine: ipse enim sciebat quid esset in homine. | [25] and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in the heart of man. |
Mystical Analysis: The Revealed Words
1. Vinum non habent — Existential Emptiness and Marian Intercession
Mary’s phrase, “Vinum non habent” (They have no wine), describes the physical wedding crisis, but in a mystical sense it represents the exhaustion of spiritual joy in human life. Wine is the symbol of love and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- Life Application: We often experience moments of spiritual or emotional dryness where joy seems depleted. The Gospel teaches us to turn to Mary as intercessor, who notices our emptiness before we even express it and leads us to the only One capable of filling our needs.
2. Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite — The Obedience of the Heart
The last recorded words of the Virgin Mary in the Gospels are a command of absolute trust: “Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite” (Do whatever He tells you).
- Life Application: The servants filled the stone jars with water, an arduous and seemingly useless task in a wine shortage. Yet it is in silent obedience to daily, ordinary tasks that God works His greatest miracles. The miracle occurs when we hand over our ordinary water for Him to transform.
3. Zelus domus tuae comedit me — Purifying Inner Temples
In cleansing the Temple of merchants, Jesus applies the Psalm prophecy: “Zelus domus tuae comedit me” (Zeal for your house consumes me). He defends the purity of the sacred space against commercial utility.
- Life Application: We are temples of the Holy Spirit. Often we allow worldly anxiety, greed, and inner noise to profane our sanctuary. Purifying our temple means removing the clutter and restoring the silence of prayer within.
Practical Guide for Contemplation (Lectio Divina)
Pray with this passage today using the classic method:
- Lectio (Reading): Read the text slowly, noticing physical details: the stone purification jars, cold and empty, and the new wine, warm and abundant.
- Meditatio (Meditation): Connect with the phrase: “Tu autem servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc” (You have kept the good wine until now). Reflect on how God never gives us less than His best, and how His promises mature over time, exceeding our initial expectations.
- Oratio (Prayer): Tell the Lord: “Lord, I stand dry before you today; my jars are empty of love and joy. I offer you my ordinary water; do in me according to your words.”
- Contemplatio (Contemplation): Sit quietly in Jesus’ presence. Feel His glory manifest in your soul as He transforms your fears into joy, resting in the safety that He knows what is in your heart and holds you in His love.
†
Text: Clementine Vulgate | Version: © Kairos Studio
✦Explore the Meditated Vulgate Library to study the Sacred Scriptures.
← Previous Chapter John 1:19-51: Witness and Disciples
Bibliotheca Sacra
✦ Explore the Sacred Library
Continue discovering the lives of the saints, traditional prayers, and Gregorian chants to deepen your faith.
Keep Discovering 📖