Wedding at Cana

Text and Narrative

The Wedding at Cana is an event recorded in the Gospel of John 2:1-11. Of the four Gospels, only John records it.

A wedding feast was held in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus and his disciples were invited. Jesus' mother, Mary, was also present. When the wine ran out during the feast, Mary told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come" (John 2:4). Mary then said to the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).

Jesus had the servants fill six stone waterpots, which had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification, to the brim with water. He then had them draw some out and take it to the governor of the feast (the person responsible for overseeing the banquet). The governor tasted it without knowing where it had come from. He then called the bridegroom and remarked that people usually serve the good wine first, but that he had kept the good wine until now. The Gospel of John calls this the "first sign" Jesus performed (KJV: "this beginning of miracles") and records that through it he manifested his glory, and his disciples believed on him (John 2:11).

Background

Jewish wedding feasts of the time are known to have often lasted several days. Many interpreters hold that running out of wine during a feast was considered a disgrace to the host family. The stone waterpots were used for purification rites involving the washing of hands and vessels, and the text states that each held "two or three firkins."

Cana is also mentioned in John 4:46 and 21:2. Scholars differ on its exact location. One tradition identifies it with Kafr Kanna near Nazareth, while another view identifies it with Khirbet Qana.

The Greek word sēmeion, translated "sign," means a mark or indicator that points to something beyond itself. Most interpreters hold that Jesus' addressing his mother as "Woman" was not disrespectful in that period. Jesus uses the same word to address his mother from the cross (John 19:26).

Significance in the Wider Biblical Context

This event is counted as the first of the seven signs in the Gospel of John. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus' "hour" repeatedly refers to the time of the cross and his glorification (John 12:23; 13:1).

In the Old Testament, abundant wine symbolizes the plenty of the day when God will bring restoration (Amos 9:13-14; Isaiah 25:6). In the New Testament, the wedding feast and the bridegroom are frequently used as images for the kingdom of God and the Messiah (John 3:29; Revelation 19:7-9). For this reason, many interpreters read the transformation of the water of purification into good wine as a sign that a new age surpassing the old order has arrived.

Interpretations and Points of Discussion

• Mary's role: The Catholic Church has emphasized Mary's intercession in this scene. Protestants generally read Mary's words "do it" as an exhortation to obey Jesus' word and hold that Christ alone is the mediator.
• The meaning of marriage: Many church traditions understand Jesus' presence at the wedding feast as evidence that he honored marriage. The marriage service in the Church of England's 1662 Book of Common Prayer also refers to this event.
• The question of the wine: In Korean churches, which have a strong tradition of abstinence from alcohol, some argue that this wine was unfermented grape juice. Many interpreters, however, conclude from the governor's remarks that it was ordinary wine (see Alcohol and Tobacco).
• Details not in the text: The text does not say who the bride and groom were or whether the wedding took place in the home of Jesus' relatives. Some later traditions, such as one identifying the bridegroom as the apostle John, exist, but Scripture itself does not say this.

In the Korean Church

This passage is frequently used in sermons at wedding services. In addition, the words "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" and the image of the servants filling the waterpots to the brim are often cited in sermons on themes such as obedience and the grace that supplies what is lacking.