Joh 2:8-9 | RWP | e4.org | Draw out now ( Αντλησατε νυν ). First aorist active imperative of αντλεω , from ο αντλος , bilge water, or the hold where the bilge water settles (so in Homer). The verb occurs in , , for drawing water from the well, and Westcott so interprets it here, but needlessly so, since the servants seem bidden to draw from the large water-jars now full of water. Apparently the water was still water when it came out of the jars (verse ), but was changed to wine before reaching the guests. The water in the jars remained water. Unto the ruler of the feast ( τω αρχιτρικλινω ). Dative case. The τρικλινος was a room ( οικος ) with three couches ( κλινη ) for the feast. The αρχιτρικλινος was originally the superintendent of the dining-room who arranged the couches and tasted the food, not the toast-master ( συμποσιαρχης ). And they bare it ( ο δε ηνεγκαν ). Second aorist active indicative of φερω . Apparently not knowing at first that they bore wine.

‏ John 2:8-9

Draw out now ( Αντλησατε νυν ). First aorist active imperative of αντλεω, from ο αντλος, bilge water, or the hold where the bilge water settles (so in Homer). The verb occurs in Joh 4:7, 15, for drawing water from the well, and Westcott so interprets it here, but needlessly so, since the servants seem bidden to draw from the large water-jars now full of water. Apparently the water was still water when it came out of the jars (verse 9), but was changed to wine before reaching the guests. The water in the jars remained water.

Unto the ruler of the feast ( τω αρχιτρικλινω ). Dative case. The τρικλινος was a room ( οικος ) with three couches ( κλινη ) for the feast. The αρχιτρικλινος was originally the superintendent of the dining-room who arranged the couches and tasted the food, not the toast-master ( συμποσιαρχης ).

And they bare it ( ο δε ηνεγκαν ). Second aorist active indicative of φερω. Apparently not knowing at first that they bore wine.

Tasted ( εγευσατο ). First aorist middle indicative of γευομα. As it was his function to do.

The water now become wine ( το υδωρ οινον γεγενημενον ). Accusative case, though the genitive also occurs with γευομα. Perfect passive participle of γινομα and οινον, predicative accusative. The tablemaster knew nothing of the miracle, "whence it was" ( ποθεν εστιν, indirect question retaining present indicative). The servants knew the source of the water, but not the power that made the wine.

Calleth the bridegroom ( φωνε τον νυμφιον ). As apparently responsible for the supply of the wine ( thou hast kept τετηρηκας ). See Mt 9:15 for νυμφιος. When men have drunk freely ( οταν μεθυσθωσιν ). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and first aorist passive subjunctive of μεθυσκω. The verb does not mean that these guests are now drunk, but that this is a common custom to put "the worse" ( τον ελασσω, the less, the inferior) wine last. It is real wine that is meant by οινος here. Unlike the Baptist Jesus mingled in the social life of the time, was even abused for it (Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34). But this fact does not mean that today Jesus would approve the modern liquor trade with its damnable influences. The law of love expounded by Paul in 1Co 8-10 and in Ro 14, 15 teaches modern Christians to be willing gladly to give up what they see causes so many to stumble into sin.