What is the context?
Jesus, His disciples and His mother are at a wedding in Cana. When the wine runs out, His mother tells Him about the need. He replies that His hour has not yet come, and she tells the servants to do whatever He says.
Six stone jars are there for Jewish washing rites, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus tells the servants to fill them with water and take some to the master of the banquet. The water has become wine, and the master praises its quality without knowing where it came from.
The servants know what happened, and the Gospel identifies this as Jesus’ first sign: He reveals His glory and His disciples believe in Him. The account then follows Jesus, His family and His disciples to Capernaum for a short stay.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian readers commonly understand the sign as revealing Jesus’ glory and strengthening His disciples’ faith. Readers differ over how to understand His exchange with His mother.
The Catholic Catechism presents Mary’s request as intercession offered in faith for the needs of the wedding feast. It also sees that feast as pointing toward the wedding of the Lamb. (Catechism §2618)
Wesley reads Jesus’ reply as a gentle correction of an untimely intervention. Calvin values Mary’s concern for others but thinks she goes beyond her proper place in trying to direct Jesus’ work. These are their interpretations of the exchange; both keep Jesus’ authority over His own work at the center. (Wesley on John 2:3–5; Calvin on John 2:4)
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Isaiah pictures God’s salvation as a lavish feast for all peoples, with fine wine, death swallowed up and tears wiped away. Revelation pictures the joy of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The wedding and abundance at Cana form a supported parallel with this wider scriptural hope of joy in God’s saving work. The sign reveals the glory of the One through whom that hope is brought to fulfillment. (Isaiah 25:6–9; Revelation 19:6–9)
The mention of His hour also looks ahead within the Gospel. Jesus later announces that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified, and connects it with His approaching death and its fruit. The glory first revealed at Cana belongs within the larger story of the Son giving Himself so that others may have life. (John 12:23–32)
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.