A | 2: 1-11. THE MARRIAGE IN CANA.

a | 1: 49-51. THE BACKGROUND.--Nathaniel's diffidence, then full confession.

b | 2: 1. THE PLACE.--Galilee.

c | 1. TIME.--The third day.

d | 2. INVITATION.--Jesus called, and His disciples.

e | 3. FAILURE CONFESSED.--They have no wine.

f | 6. NUMBERS.--Six waterpots. Two or three firkins.

g | 7. COMMAND.--Fill the waterpots with water.

h | 7. OBEDIENCE.--They filled them.

i | 7. WATERPOTS FILLED.--Up to the brim.

j | 8. THE SERVANTS.--The servants bare (enenkan).

k | 11. RESULT.--Glory manifested (ephanerose).

A | 21: 1-14. THE DRAUGHT OF FISHES.

a | 20: 24-29. THE BACKGROUND.--Thomas' unbelief, then full confession.

b | 21: 1. THE PLACE.--Galilee.

c | 14. TIME.--The third time.

d | 12. INVITATION.--Come and dine.

e | 3, 5. FAILURE CONFESSED.--Nothing. No meat.

f | 8. NUMBERS.--200 cubits; 153 fishes.

g | 6. COMMAND.--Cast net into water.

h | 6. OBEDIENCE.--They cast therefore.

i | 8, 11. NETS FILLED.--So many.

j | 10. THE DISCIPLES.--Bring the fish (enenkate).

k | 14. RESULT.--Manifested (ephanerothe).

But as we discover that this detailed parallelism extends to the whole of the

eight signs, it becomes evident that, not accident or coincidence accounts for the

phenomenon, but purpose and design. John assures that he had a wealth of material to

select from, and if, out of hundreds of miracles performed, he selects but eight, we may

well believe that these form such a chain of evidence, that they set forth "the glory of the

only begotten of the Father, full of true grace", so fully that no further evidence could be

demanded, or has been given. With these eight signs and the recurring "witness" of this

Gospel, the evidence is complete, and since that moment heaven has been silent.

In the record of the opening sign at Cana the first assertion is one referring to time:

"And the third day there was a marriage." We have already seen that John 1: 19-51

gives the witness of four consecutive days:  1st day (19-28); 2nd day (29-34);

3rd day (35-42); 4th day (43-51); 7th day (i.e., third day after last event, 2: 1).  It

was on the seventh day of the creation week that the Lord rested and the day was

sanctified. On the seventh thousand year-day of earth's great week, the sabbath-keeping

for the children of God shall come (Heb. 4: 9, sabbatismos), and "The Marriage of the

Lamb". On the first day of his testimony John pointed out the Lord as "The Lamb of

God"; no other writer uses the title