The Joys of John

[unsafe]

The fig tree in Scripture is used in Scripture to symbolize different things ---so you need to look up fig tree in the scripture your reading to understand how it is used in that piece of scripture ----the fig tree is used to signify --Prosperity ----the Nation of Israel ----it is used in scripture to signify good and bad fruit -----etc

AI says it

In the Bible, the fig tree symbolizes prosperity, well-being, security, and even the health of the nation of Israel, both spiritually and physically. It's used in parables and teachings to illustrate good and bad spiritual fruit, and the importance of being watchful for the end times.

Here's a more detailed look at the fig tree's symbolism in the Bible:

• Symbol of Prosperity and Well-being:
  The fig tree, along with the vine and olive tree, is used to represent the abundance and prosperity of the land, often associated with God's blessings.
  
  
• Symbol of Israel:
  The fig tree can be understood as symbolic of Israel, representing the nation's health and spiritual state.
  
  
• Parable of the Barren Fig Tree:
  Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9) to illustrate the importance of bearing fruit worthy of repentance after conversion, warning against spiritual barrenness and the potential for condemnation.
  
  
• Cursing of the Fig Tree:
  Jesus curses a fig tree that has leaves but no fruit, demonstrating his authority and the consequences of spiritual barrenness.
  
  
• Fig Tree as a Sign of Christ's Return:
  In Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus instructs his followers to learn from the fig tree, comparing the appearance of its leaves to the signs that will precede his return.
  
  
• Fig Leaves in the Garden of Eden:
  In Genesis 3:7, Adam and Eve use fig leaves to cover their nakedness after the Fall, which has led some commentators to suggest a connection between the fig tree and sin and death.

 

[paradox3]

No more fig trees in John's Gospel, then @unsafe?

 

[GordW]

There are four named disciples at this point: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael.

One followed Jesus when John the Baptist recognized Him as the Lamb of God. One was found and called by Jesus directly. And two disciples found two others.

Before Jesus's ministry even starts, the early disciples are finding more!

I have used "Come and See" as a sermon title for this section of John's Gospel...

 

[paradox3]

I have used "Come and See" as a sermon title for this section of John's Gospel...

Very inviting! More open-ended than "Follow Me", I think.

 

[unsafe]

So again this Chapter is focusing on the start up of Jesus Ministry -----

So Jesus is starting to collect His Disciples who will follow Him to carry on His Faith based Ministry ----
This is about the CALL to be in God's Ministry by accepting the CALL ---to Learn ---See -Trust and Obey ----

In verse 43 ---we see Jesus saying to Philip ===FOLLOW me ---

So this is why it is important to look up the word in Greek as this word has a deeper meaning here in Scripture than just follow me around ------as you see here

Strong's Lexicon
akoloutheó: To follow, to accompany

From a (as a particle of union) and keleuthos (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany (specially, as a disciple)

In the New Testament, it is often used in the context of discipleship, where it signifies following Jesus both physically and spiritually. It implies a commitment to adhere to the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus, often involving sacrifice and a change of direction in life.

I say -----Nathanael joins the team ----Jesus already knew who Nathanael was and knew his heart and Spiritual State when he was approaching Jesus -----and verse 47 tells us that -----

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said concerning him, See! Here is an Israelite indeed [a true descendant of Jacob], in whom there is no guile nor deceit nor falsehood nor duplicity!

I say -------Nathanael is taken back by what Jesus knew about him and wanted to know how Jesus knew this about him -----

Jesus says I saw you under the Fig tree -----the scripture doesn't give us more information than that ----

So we can only speculate why Jesus mentions the Fig tree but it definitely was important enough to put it in the Scripture so it has some play in this narrative ------

Could it symbolize -Nathanael's Spiritual State -----not sure ---can only speculate -----

As it says above in AI
Symbol of Israel:
The fig tree can be understood as symbolic of Israel, representing the nation's health and spiritual state.

And I think these 2 scripture together ----say it -----Nathanael knows who Jesus is and states it and Jesus Mentions the Fig Tree which to me symbolized Jesus knowing Nathanael"s Spiritual State ----Just my thoughts on that--------

49 Nathanael answered, Teacher, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!

50 Jesus replied, Because I said to you, I saw you beneath the fig tree,

This is interesting to -----

This statement Jesus makes to Nathanael -----

51 Then He said to him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you all, you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man!


was quoted in Genesis where Jacob has a dream ---so Nathanael may have been aware of this saying -----and would have meant something to him ----Just speculating here

Gen 28:12
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

so the Latter here is symbolic here -----representing

Strong's Lexicon
sullam: Ladder, Stairway

the concept of a connection between heaven and earth is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in John 1:51, where Jesus refers to angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, drawing a parallel to Jacob's vision.

Usage: The term "sullam" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a ladder or stairway. It is most famously associated with the vision of Jacob, where he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. This imagery conveys a connection between the divine and the earthly realms, symbolizing communication and interaction between God and humanity.

So COOL -----

We see 4 ways people came to Jesus here -----

John the Baptised preaching brough Andrew to Jesus ---

Andrew witnessed to his brother Peter and he came to Jesus

Philip came because he was Called ----

Nathanael overcame his prejudice of people from people from Nazareth by his personal encounter with Jesus who knew him ------

verse 46
46 Nathanael answered him, [Nazareth!] Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip replied, Come and see!

So Jesus Ministry is under way ------

 

[paradox3]

I'm quite sure I have encountered this passage a few times in the past and taken no notice of the fig tree.

 

[unsafe]

No more fig trees in John's Gospel, then @unsafe?

I think maybe your right about that ----

 

[paradox3]

John 2:1-11

Bible Gateway passage: John 2:1-11 - New English Translation

Turning Water into Wine - Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.” Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this...

www.biblegateway.com

The gospel writer opens the narrative of Jesus's ministry with the first of Seven Signs. Here we have the familiar story of Jesus turning the water into wine.

On the third day, Jesus attends a wedding in Cana with his disciples. His mother is also present.

When the wine runs out, Mary looks to Jesus. Initially reluctant, he instructs the servants to fill the water jars with water.. Stone jugs of water turn miraculously to wine.

In this way, Jesus revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him.

 

[paradox3]

What do you take away from this story? The possibilities are many.

 

[Mendalla]

THere's actually a lot to unpack there, eh.

Jesus' reluctance ("My time has not yet come")
The use of jars for ceremonial washing to perform the miracle
The steward's amazement and commendation of the bridegroom for "saving the best wine until the end", thereby kind of sidestepping where it actually came from
John's conclusion pronouncing this as the first of Jesus' miracles.

And it is interesting that the first miracle is something kind of ... domestic and a bit quaint. No raising the dead or healing a mass of lepers, just providing the wine for a wedding (Ontario is wondering if he had an LLBO license ). That alone seems like it should be meaningful.

 

[paradox3]

Yes there's so much to unpack in this story @Mendalla. One commentator suggests that John is already building the narrative to culminate in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The story contains both transformation and foreshadowing.

It is also interesting that this account is unique to John's Gospel.

 

[Mendalla]

Interesting tidbit about the wedding. We don't actually know where Cana was. There's at least four modern settlements with claims to be Cana. From wiki, which summarize the debate.

Wedding at Cana - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So most think Cana was a real place, but which one is the question. Not sure it impacts on the meaning, but it is kind of an interesting historical/archaeological question.

 

[unsafe]

In this Chapter -----we see the 3rd day mentioned -----it was put in the Scripture so it has meaning here ---in John 1 we saw the use of the next day being used and not a number ---

This chapter 1-11 is about Jesus now preforming His first miracle ----- so the number 3 just may symbolize ----a foreshadowing of His Resurrection which happens on the 3rd day ----

AI
Some scholars also suggest that the "third day" may be a reference to Jesus's resurrection, which also occurs on the third day. ----

Jesus --- Mary and His Disciples were all invited to this wedding ------ apparently Weddings in those days were considered a big Party and lasted for days =

I say -----So Jesus being invited to this wedding shows that he is not a stiff necked Man that doesn't like a good time ------This is important to Note as many are turned from receiving Jesus as they feel their lives would be so boring ---no fun stuff aloud ---just a sullen boring life -----

So the wine runs out at this wedding and this is not a good situation as it looks bad on the wedding provider -----

AI

Yes, in Jesus' day, wine running out at a wedding was considered a serious embarrassment and a sign of the couple's inability to provide for their guests, implying a lack of wealth and status.

So Mary comes running to save the day ------and says to Jesus ----there is no more wine ---

Jesus then says ----AMP
4 Jesus said to her, “[Dear] woman what is that to you and to Me? My time [to act and to be revealed] has not yet come.”

I say -----So Notice here Jesus Calls her Woman ---not Mother ----their relationship it seems has changed ---Jesus no longer is under the rule of His Mother ------Jesus now does nothing on His own nor does He do what others tell him to do ------He only Does what His Father wills Him to do -----and says ----His time has not come yet -------

But Mary Tells the Servants to do what Jesus tells them to do ----even though he says it wasn't time --So Mary must have been given the Divine knowledge that the Time was right here again my view ----

So It doesn't say that Jesus prayed to His Father about this -----but it does say He change His mind and goes ahead to bring the wine into manifestation -----so He must have consulted with His Father in some way to agree to do the Miracle -and the Father gave Him the Thumbs up to do it ---in my view -----that only makes sense --

Spiritual significance of wine -----

Strong's

The Hebrew word "yayin" refers to fermented grape juice, commonly known as wine.

It is used in the Bible to denote both literal wine and, at times, metaphorically to represent joy, abundance, or divine blessing and sacrificial blood
However, it can also symbolize excess, moral decay, or divine judgment when consumed irresponsibly.

There are 6 waterpots that are associated with the Law for ritual purification washing ----the number 6 is the Biblical number for man and can also indicate imperfection ----

Jesus says to the Servants fill the waterpots To The Brim ------and they did that -----this shows Faith and Obedience to their Masters request -----when we have Faith and obey what Jesus tells us we get the right results -----

The Changing of this water in these ritual purifying waterpots into wine which could represent Blood in a symbolic way reflects how Jesus who is our Sacrificial Lamb will change the ritual Laws into the Gospel of Grace -------

Jesus Miracle came by way of Jesus obeying His Father's will -----which gave God the Glory

This is important here as Children of God when we do Good works we do it to give God the Glory --not ourselves ----

The Master of the Feast was very pleased with this wine and said you have kept the good wine for last----

Jesus is our last Hope for for an eternal life -----

And for
We the Children of God are on the journey for our total sanctification which will comes to us Last ---when we enter into eternal life ----the best is Last -------

 

[paradox3]

Was wine a necessity or a luxury in biblical times? I have read that much of the water supply was impure and wine was a healthier beverage.

However, we know there were problems with its consumption. Drunkenness is mentioned in both the OT and the NT.

 

[Mendalla]

Was wine a necessity or a luxury in biblical times? I have read that much of the water supply was impure and wine was a healthier beverage.

However, we know there were problems with its consumption. Drunkenness is mentioned in both the OT and the NT.

Definitely a risk but keep in mind that in some cultures, Rome for sure, the wine was watered down to varying degrees. They were not generally drinking it straight unless the intent was drunkeness (e.g. the ancient equivalent of a frat party). Fancy parties in Rome even had a special servant who managed the mixing of the wine. Day to day drinking, vs. fancy dining or parties, would be heavily watered down. But, sure, if you didn't water it down much and/or drank a lot, getting drunk happened. And that is mentioned here in verse 10.

 

[unsafe]

This is an interesting Tidbit

People also ask

What is the spiritual significance of wine?


The spiritual meaning of wine here is often literally understood to represent the resurrection of Jesus Christ – in the sense that 'dead' grapes do not decay, but instead ferment and are filled with a new 'spirit' that helps them live again.

 

[Jaebius]

What do you take away from this story? The possibilities are many.

Find it especially meaningful in how it captures the beauty of Jesus’ compassion.

What touches me most is Jesus’ awareness of the people around him. His response to Mary’s request shows his love for others. This was about preserving the celebration. To me, it’s a reminder that God cares deeply about our experiences.

The change of water into wine is a picture of grace and renewal. Jesus offers abundance, and that wine is the best. I love how God works in our lives, taking what's broken and turning it into something wonderful.

I also love the way Mary interacts with Jesus. Her gentle faith is inspiring. She trusts. And the servants play their part too. They follow Jesus’ instructions without knowing what will happen, showing that faith requires a leap of trust.

For me, this story is an invitation to reflect on the grace in our lives. It’s a reminder that there’s room for celebration

 

[paradox3]

John 2:12-17

Bible Gateway passage: John 2:12-17 - New English Translation

Cleansing the Temple - After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days. Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves...

www.biblegateway.com

After the wedding in Cana, Jesus travels to Capernaum with his disciples and his mother & brothers. They spend a few days there.

Because the Passover is near, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem. There he uses a whip of cords to drive the vendors and their animals out of the Temple courts. He scatters the coins of the moneylenders and overturns their tables.

Says Jesus, "Do not make my Father's house a marketplace."

 

[paradox3]

So, what happened to Joseph, do you think? He is also omitted in the story of the wedding at Cana.

The cleansing of the Temple also occurs in the synoptic gospels. But it is placed at the end of Jesus's ministry rather than at the onset.

What is John's purpose in placing the incident here? Or could the cleansing of the Temple have happened twice?

Do the actions of Jesus speak to his human nature?

 

[Mendalla]

What is John's purpose in placing the incident here? Or could the cleansing of the Temple have happened twice?

Not likely. I think John had a different purpose, though his timeline is generally kind of compressed as I recall. What was that purpose? In a modern action film, the scene would be there to show Jesus kicking butt. But that's not what we have here.

Could it suggest a mission to purify the temple and by extension, the faith? That's kind of the obvious reading of the event, but that doesn't get into why John and the Synoptics disagree on the placement of it in Jesus' timeline. That said, given John's focus seems to be more Christological, perhaps he was less concerned about biographical/historical details than the meaning of the event.

The temple incident as Jesus seeking to purify the temple and faith would also fit rather well with the Essene hypothesis (that John the Baptist and Jesus came from, or were influenced by, the Essenes). The Essenes actually turned away from the temple to their own ritual centre due to, among other things, perceived corruption.

I do think the fact that the Synoptics and John agree on the basics of the event suggests a real event that maybe got inflated or mythologized a bit.