Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 2

The wedding at Cana is linked to the preceding text by a chronological tie: “on the third day,” a phrase that probably means “after three days.” Cana was a village in the hills of Galilee. Its exact location is disputed, but the best site seems to be that of Khirbet Qana, about nine miles north of Nazareth.

A wedding is always a gala occasion, and in a village like Cana it would be a community celebration. “Refreshments” were provided for all guests. Of these, wine was very important. To fail in providing adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely knit communities of Jesus’ day, such an error would never be forgotten and would haunt the newly married couple all their lives. The situation prompted Mary’s urgency when she informed Jesus of the emergency.

A wedding is always a gala occasion, and in a village like Cana it would be a community celebration. “Refreshments” were provided for all guests. Of these, wine was very important. To fail in providing adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely knit communities of Jesus’ day, such an error would never be forgotten and would haunt the newly married couple all their lives. The situation prompted Mary’s urgency when she informed Jesus of the emergency.

Jesus’ reply to Mary was not so abrupt as it seems, for “woman” was a polite form of address (20:15). His statement probably means, “What business is that of ours?” Mary acknowledged that Jesus should act independently, and she confidently told the servants to follow his orders, fully expecting that he would take appropriate action. Jesus indicated that he was no longer under her authority but that he was living by a new pattern timed by the purpose of God. He would begin his miracles according to the purpose of his heavenly Father. The “time” (GK 6052) refers to the first hour when he manifested the real reason for which he came .

Jesus’ reply to Mary was not so abrupt as it seems, for “woman” was a polite form of address (20:15). His statement probably means, “What business is that of ours?” Mary acknowledged that Jesus should act independently, and she confidently told the servants to follow his orders, fully expecting that he would take appropriate action. Jesus indicated that he was no longer under her authority but that he was living by a new pattern timed by the purpose of God. He would begin his miracles according to the purpose of his heavenly Father. The “time” (GK 6052) refers to the first hour when he manifested the real reason for which he came .