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New Defender's Study Bible Notes

2:3 wanted wine. In view of the long trip from Bethabara to Cana, it is probable that Jesus and the disciples arrived late to the wedding, only to find that the guests had exhausted the wine supply and had “well drunk” (literally, had “become drunken”—see John 2:10).


2:4 with thee. This question was not disrespectful but somewhat sad. Literally, Jesus said: “Woman what to me and to thee?” meaning, “Is there anything we have in common?” The Lord rebuked drunkenness (e.g., Luke 21:34), yet His mother not only seemed to tolerate it but now was asking for still more wine for the already drunken guests.


2:4 hour. Mary should have remembered what her son’s mission was not to meet temporal (and questionable) social needs, and certainly not to encourage sinful behavior, but rather to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). On more than one occasion, He had to remind people that “my time is not yet come” (John 7:6; 8:20). Finally, however, He did come to that hour, and so testified (John 12:23; 13:1; 17:1).


2:5 do it. Somewhat rebuked by Jesus’ response to her desire for Him to get more wine for the guests, she is never shown again in Scripture as requesting or demanding anything from Jesus. Instead, the only command the record shows on her part, anywhere in Scripture, is this one. Simply: “Do whatever Jesus says!” No doubt she would say the same to us today.


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