John 02 : 04 "Woman, what have I to do with you?"

[Mark]

What is the point of the marriage feast in Cana?

[Mark]

It was at a wedding festival where Messiah Yeshua’s mother came to Him with a cultural embarrassment. Mary had likely seen the troubled expressions of the servers and her tingly spider-senses went into action. She learned that the feast was soon to dry up: that the wine was almost gone.

This couldn’t necessarily be considered to the fault of the bride-groom. These festivals had an open invitation. Everyone was invited and often the feast would go on for days. During an unspecified period, after the marriage had been confirmed and agreed upon, the groom would prepare his home and also provide for all the pomp and regality of the wedding festival. Then, when he was ready to claim his bride, he would bring the party to his father-in-law who would host until the bride and groom made their exit.

Either more people showed up than expected, the party lasted longer than expected, or both; but the question which would now surface if this problem were made evident is clear: if this young man can’t provide wine for a party, how can we expect him to be capable of caring for our daughter? It was more than just a casual concern for a blemish on the perfect wedding: the marriage could be postponed indefinitely.

Messiah’s response in John 2:4 is often confused as a harsh rebuke against his mother; but her response never suggests that it was taken that way. Many commentators have performed amazing feats of theological acrobatics in order to defend their understanding, forgetting that there is Hebraic, intrinsically Jewish context to this dialogue.

Messiah asks His mother, "What have I to do with you?" Our minds thoughtlessly re-create the question, "What have I to do with this?" We interpret it as a sense of indifference to the problem. Yet, His question was not directed toward the problem; but to Mary.

He addresses his mother as "woman": gune’ in Greek, Eeshah in Hebrew. We are a little uncomfortable that his reference is not "mater" or "ame", which mean "mother". It is the natural inclination of womanhood to try to fix things, to make them right. She did not come to Messiah Yeshua as His mother, she came to Him as a woman. Any woman who knew what she knew would quietly turn to someone in confidence for help, regardless if she knew He could do anything about it or not. His response to her is not a rebuke that she is sticking her nose into something that isn’t any of her business. If anything, He is assuring her that He has everything in hand. "You’re anticipating a problem that I will see never materializes."

commands each of us to meet needs as we see them. If you see a fellow struggling his burden, stop and help him with it. If you see an animal fallen in the ditch, help it out. We can easily see it as the loving response to take the time out of our busy day to help someone when called upon; but Messiah takes it a step farther than that. He was aware that the need was imminent and He met it without anyone ever realizing that anything was ever amiss.

It is unfortunate that American society has isolated itself from the Hebraic idea of community: to be watching out for one another, looking out for the needs of others as though those needs were your own. The Messianic community, if growing to live as such a community, is one that watches out for those around them. These issues are complicated by modern technology and the basic constraints of proximity, at least in our minds. This is because we tend to choose our community based upon our agreement in philosophy; not on simple proximity. Messiah didn’t have this problem and wouldn’t see it as the handicap that we have made it. His community was the people of the wedding feast of Cana; but it was equally Malchus, the servant of the High Priest who lost his ear.

Walking as Messiah walks is often simply being aware of who is around you and the circumstances that they are confronting at that moment. It is taking time, making time, to use the resources you have for those who are around you.

There was no small amount of risk in Messiah’s provision at the wedding feast. Had it gone another way, He could have easily been taken and stoned for divination. Equally, He may have been heralded as a great worker of miracles and deified (drawing the attention from the groom and bride who were the appropriate focus of attention). Doing the right thing does not mean doing the right thing only when there is no potential for adverse personal consequences.

[Elizabeth]

As a mother, I have read a lot into this that may not be there, but this is how I have come to terms with it and now I can't see it any other way.

This was Yeshua's first public miracle. Because everything he did was with purpose and for the sake of others, I personally believe it was his first miracle period. Anyway, Mary knew her son could do something amazing before the world saw it. She believed in him.  Maybe I am reading to much into it, but I think it's safe to say that Yeshua's mother was a source of strength and encouragement to him.  She had to have unusual faith for G-d to have chosen her for this role.

I almost feel like this passage was G-d's way of respecting their mother and son relationship knowing it was very unusual and painful. Who else could understand Mary's feelings, but G-d?  No other mother could understand her situation. There is something striking to me in the phrase, "what is it to you and me?"

As a mom, I just think to myself, it's everything. This changed the course of Yeshua's life, and I think it was Mary's moment to let go and trust G-d's will on a level no other mother can relate to.  I think a lot was said between them that couldn't be verbalized. She probably anticipated this moment with fear, anxiety, gratitude, love, and a multitude of mixed emotions from before her son was born.  G-d knew that and loved her and respected her.

This is one of my favorite passages because in the end, you know exactly what her son did? He did what his mother asked him. I love that. I feel like there was nothing but love and honor in their interaction, as well as an acknowledgement that everything will change and nothing will be the same. He took his first public step in preparing to do what G-d sent him to do by doing what his earthly mother asked him to do. G-d is so gracious and I think he expressed his love and compassion to Mary in this moment by honoring her as Yeshua's mom. There is something precious happening between Yeshua, Miriam, and G-d the father in this moment. I think the fact we can't really understand it makes it that much more beautiful because I want some things to be just between them. That's just G-d taking care of her and she deserves that.


The reason I thought of this passage, is because I want Mary to be represented with all of the great mother's of Israel, especially as she gets slandered in attempts to discredit her son.  We pray for our daughters to be like Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel.  Let's not forget the New Covenant mothers.  The one that's on my heart today is Mary.  I certainly wouldn't mind my daughter growing to become like her.

[alon]

I have to agree that this was not a rebuke when Yeshua called Miriam “woman.” Remember that from the cross, when Yeshua saw His mother and one of His disciples who He loved, Yeshua gave His mother into the care of that disciple. He addressed her as “woman” then as well. I just cannot see that this would be anything but the deepest love and care for His mother.

John 2:4 (ESV) And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

John 19:26 (ESV) When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

Strong’s gives the word translated “woman” in both verses as:

G1135 γυνή gunē goo-nay' Probably from the base of G1096; a woman; specifically a wife: - wife, woman.

This definition seems to have familial connotations. So the translation to English doesn’t convey the actual meaning. If we were to call our mother “woman” it would be seen as harsh and disrespectful. So when we read this verse, especially in the King James translation most ofus probably grew up with, we would read it unnecessarily harshly.

John 2:4 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Most contemporary translations say something to the effect “what has this to do with us?” Even the King James friendly Youngs Literal Translation says:

John 2:4 (YLT) Jesus saith to her, `What -- to me and to thee, woman? not yet is mine hour come.'

So whiloe Mark makes some good points, I am going to have to agree more along the lines of Elizabeth’s understanding here. Aparently it takes the heart of a mother to really understand some things.

Dan C