that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was related to the family of the bride or, at the very least, well acquainted with them. Such a connection could have been the reason Jesus and His disciples were invited. That was a great honor, to be sure. As the events unfold, it becomes very obvious that Mary had accepted Jesus’ authority. Had the disciples done so? Had the other guests at the wedding done so?
Interestingly, among the people in that part of the world there were three stages to observe in a wedding. The first stage was the legal stage in which the parents of the bride and the bridegroom agreed on the wedding. Second, the bridegroom would come to claim his bride, to take her to his home prepared for her. Third, there was a wedding feast where there was happy celebration. It appears that the wedding Jesus and His disciples attended was the third stage with all the festivities.
The problem that arose at this wedding was an embarrassing one indeed. Put yourself in the shoes of the host and hostess of this family. Imagine at your daughter’s or son’s wedding there were not enough refreshments—wedding cake or drinks—to go around. What a social blunder and embarrassment that would be. In the Middle East culture it would have been a social error that was almost unforgivable. But that is precisely what happened at this wedding. They ran out of wine (v. 3).
There was the risk that if there was not enough wine, the newly married couple would be disgraced and maybe even avoided by the people among whom they would live. In that culture in that country at this time, this was a huge problem.
Little wonder then that Mary took it upon herself to go to Jesus with the problem. We cannot help but wonder how Mary knew the wine was all gone. This may be good reason to believe Jesus’ mother knew the family very well and maybe even assisted in serving the guests. The fact that she knew about the problem and sought to relieve the parents of consequences that would follow and came to Jesus for help indicates she was a special guest who knew the family and, more importantly, knew Jesus.
Mary’s coming to Jesus reveals she knew He could do something about the situation. Surely she was aware of John’s baptism of Jesus and the divine approval of Jesus given there. The disciples of her Son had been called and responded to follow Jesus. Mary must have known that too. Her appeal to Jesus gives evidence that she had accepted His divine authority. She believed in Him.
At first glance Jesus’ response to Mary appears to be a bit rude. He said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come” (v. 4). In our culture one’s mother is not usually addressed in that way. But in the Middle East culture of that day Jesus’ words were not viewed as disrespectful. To the contrary, “woman” was a term of respect and affection. Jesus used the same term of His mother when He was on the cross (19:26) where He was showing love and care for her.
The response to Mary’s implied request demonstrates Jesus’ authority. No longer was He under her authority, and Joseph His adopted father is believed to have died earlier (v. 4a). Jesus had entered His public ministry at about the age of 30. He was acting on His own diviine authority now and gently reminded Mary of that and that His “hour had not yet come” (v. 4b) meaning the hour for which He came into the world, His death on the cross.
The key verse for this portrait of Jesus sums up His awesome divine authority. “His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (v. 5). Mary obviously had complete trust in Jesus’ authority and ability to remedy the situation. She may not have known just what He would do; but she knew He could fix the problem. Her Son was not only a man but was at the same time also God. How awesome!
Close by, were 6 large stone waterpots or jars. These were used usually for the Jewish custom of purification and so held washing water (v. 6). They each held between 20 or 30 gallons of water according to our measurements. The Law of Moses and some traditions under which the people lived required various cleansings. Most likely the reference to “Jews” here refers to the Jewish leaders.
The command of Jesus was clear enough: “Fill the waterpots with water” (v. 7). But the question of why this was to be done surely must have puzzled them. In response to what Mary told them, they followed the orders. Since Jesus told them to do it, they must have respected Him and His right to make the demand.
No sooner than they filled the jars, Jesus must have surprised them with another command. Give some to the “headwaiter,” He told them (v. 8). And they again did as they were told but were probably a bit hesitant. The “headwaiter” was the one in charge of the banquet who tasted the food and drink before they were served to the invited guests. After he tasted the miracle-wine, he called for the bridegroom. “You have kept the best until last,” the headwaiter told him. This was a compliment since often the poorest wine was kept back for serving last (v. 10). There is no reason to read into the words of the headwaiter that he meant the guests were nearly drunk at that time. Jesus certainly would not have sanctioned drunkenness by providing wine for the guests. His miracle-wine would not have made them drunk in the first place.
Imagine it, what normally took much work and a long period of time, Jesus accomplished instantly by His creative power. Much time and effort have been spent in argumentation whether the wine Jesus produced was fermented or not. There are two kinds of wines referred to in the Bible. One was alcoholic and the other nonalcoholic which was made from fruit juices. I believe we can be sure Jesus did not create an intoxicating wine. I like to refer to the wine Jesus made as miracle-wine.
As far as the disciples with Him were concerned, Jesus “manifested His glory,” or His divine Sonship. He demonstrated His authority and they believed in Him (v. 11).
Jesus’ Authority in the Temple, vv. 12–25
From Cana where Jesus demonstrated His authority by turning water into wine, He, His mother, brothers and disciples went to Capernaum on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. They spent a few days there and then He and the disciples went to Jerusalem for the Passover observance. This was one of the national feasts of the Jews. It was in memory of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh’s cruel hand.
There in the temple Jesus found what had become a sacrilegious use of the outer court of the temple. This area had been set aside for the convenience of the many who came from far away. They normally did not bring their animals along for sacrifice, and they had to purchase the animals there. Also, they brought foreign currency and needed to exchange it for the Jewish shekels since foreign currency could not be used in the temple.
Over a period of time, those who sold the animals for sacrifice and those who exchanged money found what they were doing to be very lucrative business. What started out to be a necessary service in the temple court had become a loud, boisterous, bargaining, competitive, money-making racket.
When Jesus, therefore, drove the money-changers and merchants out and overthrew their tables, He did so because His “Father’s house had been made a house of merchandise” (v. 16). Jesus was not opposed to the original intent in providing for those who came from distant lands. What He was opposed to was the greed and materialism with which the business was conducted. Such behavior was totally inconsistent with the purpose for which the Passover was established.
Three responses resulted from Jesus’ display of His authority in the temple. The first was from the Jewish leaders. What right, by what authority, do you do this, they asked Him. Remember these were His critics who demanded an explanation. They wanted a sign, a miracle, to prove to them that Jesus was who He claimed to be, God the Father’s Son, the Messiah. He did say the temple was His Father’s house as He chased the merchants out (v. 16).
The answer Jesus gave to the Jews was not understood by them. He said, “you want a sign, here is the sign I’ll give you to prove my authority. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (v. 19). He was referring to His own death at their hands and His bodily resurrection at
