The Pulpit Commentary on John 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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.

More for John 2:12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on John 2:1-12John 2:1-12 · The Pulpit Commentary(1) The first sign, the beginning of signs, Mastery over the old creation. Sign of love and power. The description of the preceding narrative, given in John 2:11, is the true key to it. It is impressive on several accou…The Pulpit Commentary on John 2:1-25John 2:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION Verses 2:1-3:4 The testimony of signs to the glory of the Word made flesh.Matthew Henry on John 2:12-22John 2:12-22 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe first public work in which we find Christ engaged, was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a house of…Temple-Merchandise Punished; Christ's Death and Resurrection ForetoldJohn 2:12-22 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTEMPLE-MERCHANDISE PUNISHED; CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION FORETOLD. Here we have, I. The short visit Christ made to Capernaum, John 2:12. It was a large and populous city, about a day's journey from Cana; it is calle…The Pulpit Commentary on John 2:12John 2:12 · The Pulpit CommentaryAfter this he went down—from the high lands of Galilee to the borders of the Sea of Galilee, depressed as we now know it to be below the level of the Mediterranean—to Capernaum.£ Three competing sites for this small tow…The Pulpit Commentary on John 2:12-22John 2:12-22 · The Pulpit Commentary(2) The second sign Supremacy over the theocratic house. Illustrations of righteousness, reverence, power, and sacrificial ministry. John 2:12, John 2:13 They abode there not many days. And the Passover of the Jews was…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 2:1-25EXPOSITION Verses 2:1-3:4 The testimony of signs to the glory of the Word made flesh.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 2:1-12(1) The first sign, the beginning of signs, Mastery over the old creation. Sign of love and power. The description of the preceding narrative, given in John 2:11, is the true key to it. It is impressive on several accou…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on John 2:12-22The first public work in which we find Christ engaged, was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a house of…Matthew Henry commentaryTemple-Merchandise Punished; Christ's Death and Resurrection ForetoldTEMPLE-MERCHANDISE PUNISHED; CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION FORETOLD. Here we have, I. The short visit Christ made to Capernaum, John 2:12. It was a large and populous city, about a day's journey from Cana; it is calle…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 2:12-22(2) The second sign Supremacy over the theocratic house. Illustrations of righteousness, reverence, power, and sacrificial ministry. John 2:12, John 2:13 They abode there not many days. And the Passover of the Jews was…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 2:12After this he went down—from the high lands of Galilee to the borders of the Sea of Galilee, depressed as we now know it to be below the level of the Mediterranean—to Capernaum.£ Three competing sites for this small tow…Joseph S. Exell and contributors