Water to Wine
Overview
- Testament: New
- Book: John
- Chapters: John 2:1-11
- Summary: Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, turning six stone water jars into exceptional wine at his mother Mary’s prompting.
Details
On the third day of a wedding celebration at Cana in Galilee, Mary the mother of Jesus told him “They have no wine” — the supply had run out, a significant social embarrassment for the host family. Jesus’ response, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come,” is not a rebuke but a statement that his miraculous activity is governed by the Father’s timing, not human expectation. Nevertheless, Mary told the servants “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it,” showing her confidence.
There were six stone water jars set aside for Jewish purification rites, each holding two or three firkins (20-30 gallons each, approximately 120-180 gallons total). Jesus commanded the servants to fill them to the brim with water, then to draw some out and take it to the ruler of the feast. The ruler tasted it and, not knowing what had happened, called the bridegroom and said that unlike the usual custom of serving the best wine first, he had kept the good wine until now.
John notes explicitly that this was “the beginning of miracles” Jesus did and that through it “he manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” The detail of the six purification jars being filled is significant — the number six evokes incompleteness, and transforming them into abundant, excellent wine signals that the old regime of ritual purification is being superseded by the abundant grace of the new covenant.
Key People Involved
- Jesus Christ — The one who performed the miracle
- Mary (Mother of Jesus) — Jesus’ mother; the catalyst who brought the need to Jesus
- Disciples — Witnesses whose faith was strengthened by the sign
Key Places
- Cana — A village in Galilee; site of the wedding and miracle
Important Verses
“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” — John 2:11
“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” — John 2:5
Cross-References
- Related: Farewell Discourse — Jesus returns to Cana themes of abundance and joy
- Foreshadowed in: Feast Days Appointed — OT feasts pointing to eschatological banquet
- Related books: John
Notes
John structures his Gospel around seven signs, and this is the first. The abundance — up to 180 gallons of fine wine — is an eschatological signal: the prophets spoke of the messianic age as a time of extraordinary wine abundance (Amos 9:13-14; Isaiah 25:6). The fact that this occurs at a wedding feast also anticipates the wedding imagery used for Christ and the church. Mary’s instruction to “do whatever he says” is the last recorded speech of Mary in scripture.