C. Water Changed Into Wine (2:1-12)

Jesus' miraculous works began in a town named Cana very soon (On the third day) after the prediction to Nathaniel of greater things to come (1:50). Of the location of this place, mentioned in John alone (vv.1, 11; 4:46; 21:2), it is known only that it lay in Galilee. The occasion was a wedding feast at which Jesus and his mother were guests. His disciples were also present, though in what numbers is not specified.

The narrative is straightforward and is simply recounted. Jesus' mother drew to his attention that the wine at the feast had run out, an affront to the standards of hospitality of that day. He supplied the lack by miraculously changing into wine a large quantity of water, somewhere between 120 and 180 gallons. The master of ceremonies recognized the superior quality of the new supply and commented on it to the bridegroom.

Jesus' response to his mother (v.4) needs some explanation. The address, Woman, which sounds disrespectful to modern ears, was in reality neither harsh nor discourteous (cf. 19:26). It is rendered felicitously in the NIV with Dear woman. But the words that follow are not so well translated with Why do you involve me? As the sequel shows, Jesus was not rejecting involvement, but only the initiative of his mother. He is now independent of family (cf. 7:1-9) and, indeed, any earthly claims, and he acts only when it is time. The time (literally hour) of Jesus in John refers to his death and exaltation (cf. 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1) and to anticipatory manifestations of his glory (vv.4, 11).

As usual in John, this miracle signifies something beyond itself. It is, in fact, a miniature of the Gospel. Jewish legalism (symbolized by the water of purification) is replaced by the wine of the new order. It is a sign that reveals the glory of Jesus and moves the disciples to put their faith in him (v.11). Sign is the word for a miracle of Jesus in John; it is a precursor to belief (20:30-31; cf. 2:23; 3:2; 4:53-54; 6:14; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47-48; 12:18, 37).

After the wedding at Cana, Jesus, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum on the shore of the lake (thus at a lower elevation), and for a few days Jesus remained in Galilee and relative obscurity (v.12). His mother and brothers appear only once more each in this gospel (brothers, 7:1-10; mother, 19:25-27; cf. 6:42).