Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsJohn 2
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read John 2 in the BibleJohn 2:3
They have no wine.
Our Lady many ways understood that now the time approached of manifesting himself to the world by miracles and preaching, and nothing doubted but that he would now begin at her request. ◦ Whereby we learn that Christ ordinarily giveth not his graces, but humbly asked and requested thereunto, and that his mother's intercession is more than vulgarly effectual, and that he denieth her nothing.
- ◦ Our Lady's intercession.
John 2:4
What is to me and thee?
Because this speech is subject to diverse senses, ◦ we keep the words of our text, lest by turning it into any English phrase, we might straiten the Holy Ghost's intention to some certain sense either not intended, or not only intended, and so take away the choice and indifferency from the reader, whereof (in holy Scripture specially all Translators must beware. Christ then may mean here, what is that, Woman, to me & thee being but strangers, that they want wine? as some interpret it. Or (which is the more proper use of that kind of speech in holy Writ) what have I to do with thee? that is, why should I have respect to thy desire in this case? In matters touching my charge & the commission of my father for preaching, working miracles, and other graces, I must not be tied to flesh and blood. Which was not a reprehension of our Lady, or signification that he would not hear her in this or other things pertaining to God's glory or the good of men, for the event sheweth the contrary. But it was a lesson to the company that heard it, and namely to his Disciples, that respect of kindred should not draw them to do any thing against reason, or be the principal motion why they do their duties, but God's glory.
- ◦ Translators of holy Scriptures.
John 2:5
What soever he shall say.
By this you see, our Lady by her divine prudence and entire familiarity and acquaintance with all his manner of speeches, [1] knew it was no check to her, but a doctrine to others: and that she had no repulse, though he seemed to say his time was not yet come to work miracles: not doubting but he would begin a little before his ordinary time for her sake, as S. Cyril thinketh he did: [2] and therefore she admonisheth the waiters to mark well, & to execute whatsoever Christ should bid them do.
- 1 Our Lady doubteth not but Christ will grant her petition.
- 2 li. 2. in Io. c. 23.
John 2:15
Cast them out.
By this chastising corporally the defilers and abusers of the Temple, he doth not only shew his power, but being but one poor man he could by force execute his pleasure upon so many sturdy fellows: but also his sovereign authority over all offenders, and that not upon their souls only, ◦ as by excommunication and spiritual penalties, but so far as is requisite for the execution of spiritual jurisdiction, upon their bodies and goods also. That the Spiritualty may learn, how far and in what cases, for just zeal of Christ's Church, they may use and exercise both spiritually and temporally their forces and faculties against offenders, specially against the profaners of God's Church, according to the Apostle's allusion 1 Cor. 3. If any defile the Temple of God, him will God destroy.
- ◦ Profaners of God's Church are to be punished in soul & body by the Spiritual power.
John 2:24
JESUS committed not himself.
S. Augustine applieth this their first faith and belief in Christ, [1] suddenly raised upon the admiration of his wonders, [2] but yet not fully formed or established in them, unto the faith of Novices or Catechumens in the Church: and Christ's not committing his Person to them as yet, to the Church's like wariness and wisdom, in not opening nor giving to them our Lord in the B. Sacrament, because all were not to be trusted with that high point without full trial of their faith.
- 1 Tract. in Io. 11.
- 2 The B. Sacrament is not to be given to novices or younglings in faith.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
John 2:2
JESUS also was called.
By his vouchsaving to come with his to the Marriage, [1] he approveth the custom of the Faithful in meeting at honest feats and recreations for maintenance of love, peace, and amity among themselves: he reproveth the heresy of Tatian, Marcion, and such like condemning wedlock: lastly (as S. Cyril saith) [2] he sanctifieth and blesseth the Marriage of the Faithful in the new Testament, making it a new creature in him, and discharging it of the manifold maledictions and disorders wherein it was before. By which benediction the often divorces, remarriages, and pluralities of wives, and the women's servile subjection and imparity in that case, be redressed and reduced to the primitive institution, and so Christian marriage made a Sacrament. See S. Aug. de nupt. & concup. li. 1. c. 10 & 21. li. 1 de adult. coniug. c. 8.