John 2:10
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρῶτον
at the beginning
G4412
πρῶτον
at the beginning
Strong's:
G4412
Word #:
6 of 23
firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλὸν
good
G2570
καλὸν
good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
τίθησιν
doth set forth
G5087
τίθησιν
doth set forth
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
10 of 23
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
12 of 23
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
μεθυσθῶσιν
men have well drunk
G3184
μεθυσθῶσιν
men have well drunk
Strong's:
G3184
Word #:
13 of 23
to drink to intoxication, i.e., get drunk
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
14 of 23
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλάσσω·
that which is worse
G1640
ἐλάσσω·
that which is worse
Strong's:
G1640
Word #:
16 of 23
smaller (in size, quantity, age or quality)
τετήρηκας
hast kept
G5083
τετήρηκας
hast kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
18 of 23
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλὸν
good
G2570
καλὸν
good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
Historical Context
The custom of serving best wine first exploited guests' dulled taste after initial consumption. Jesus reverses this cynical pattern. The 'good wine' kept until last symbolizes how the new covenant in Christ's blood surpasses the old covenant's ceremonial provisions. Grace exceeds law; reality surpasses shadow.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'best wine last' principle apply to spiritual growth and eternal hope?
- What does this miracle teach about how Christ transforms the ordinary into extraordinary?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The governor's comment—'Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine... but thou hast kept the good wine until now'—reveals the wine's exceptional quality. Normal practice served best wine first; this host seemingly reversed protocol. The irony is profound: unbeknownst to the governor, this isn't the host's planning but Christ's provision. The 'best wine last' pictures gospel truth—Christ brings not deterioration but escalation. The new covenant surpasses the old.