John Chapter 2: “Do Whatever He Tells You”
1. On the Third Day
“On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with His disciples.” (John 2:1–2)
John’s “third day” echoes the third day of creation — when God caused the earth to bring forth fruit and vines (Genesis 1:11–13).
Now, on another “third day,” the true Vine (John 15:1) begins His work of new creation.
St. Augustine observes:
“He came to the marriage not to be a guest only but to sanctify marriage and to show that from two shall come one flesh, as Christ and the Church are one.” (Tractates on John VIII.1)
The presence of Jesus and Mary at a wedding proclaims the holiness of marriage and the joy of divine companionship in human love.
2. “They Have No Wine”
“When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’” (John 2:3)
This is more than a hostess’s observation — it is Mary’s intercession, the first recorded in the Gospels.
She notices need before others do and brings it directly to her Son.
St. Ambrose writes:
“Mary was moved not by curiosity but by compassion; she sought not for herself but for the joy of others.” (On Virgins II.2.8)
This moment reveals her role as Mediatrix — not rivaling Christ’s mediation, but participating in it maternally, drawing grace to others through her intimate union with His heart.
3. The Hour Not Yet Come
“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what is that to Me and to you? My hour has not yet come.’” (John 2:4)
These words sound stern in English, but in the original Greek they are tender and prophetic.
“Woman” recalls Eve, the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20).
Mary, the New Eve, stands here as the mother of the redeemed.
St. Augustine explains:
“He calls her ‘Woman’ because in her He sees not only His mother according to the flesh but the figure of the Church, His bride according to grace.” (Tractates on John VIII.9)
“The hour” refers to the Passion, when His glory will be revealed in the Cross.
Mary’s intercession thus begins the path that leads to Calvary — the moment when her Son will say again, “Woman, behold your son.” (John 19:26)
4. Mary’s Command of Faith
“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” (John 2:5)
This is the last recorded word of Mary in the Gospels — and it sums up all Marian devotion: she always leads to Christ.
Her command is the voice of discipleship and the echo of the Gospel itself.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux writes:
“Mary’s will is God’s will. When she speaks thus, she teaches us obedience, for she herself did the same: ‘Be it done unto me according to thy word.’” (Homily on the Twelve Stars II.2)
This verse has been called “the Marian Magnificat of faith” — total trust in Jesus, without knowing how He will act.
5. The Six Water Jars
“Now there were six stone jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.” (John 2:6)
The detail is rich with symbolism.
Six jars — the number of incompleteness (one short of seven, the number of perfection).
Stone — the material of the Law, as in the tablets of Moses.
Water — the element of ritual cleansing under the old covenant.
Christ will fill these with new wine, signifying the grace of the new covenant that transforms the old.
St. Irenaeus comments:
“The water of the Law was changed into the wine of the Gospel, that the ancient purification might yield to the new rejoicing.” (Against Heresies III.16.7)
6. The Obedience of the Servants
“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.” (John 2:7)
The servants obey without question — perfect faith in action.
Mary’s “Do whatever He tells you” bears fruit immediately.
St. John Chrysostom notes:
“He could have created wine from nothing, yet He commands their service, teaching that human obedience cooperates with divine grace.” (Homilies on John XXI.2)
The “to the brim” shows that grace is not given sparingly; Christ fills the Law to overflowing with His love.
7. The Miracle of Transformation
“When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine… he said, ‘You have kept the good wine until now.’” (John 2:9–10)
This is the first of His signs, not merely a display of power but a revelation of divine transformation.
The Creator who turned water into the blood of the vine will soon turn wine into His own Blood.
St. Augustine teaches:
“The Lord who made wine that day in six jars does the same each year in the vines. But what was done in water then, is now done in the heart of the faithful — He changes the coldness of law into the warmth of love.” (Tractates on John VIII.12)
The “good wine” symbolizes the new covenant, richer and deeper than the old — the joy of grace surpassing the burden of law.
8. The Glory Revealed
“This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11)
In John’s Gospel, a “sign” is never a mere miracle — it is a sacrament of revelation, showing who Jesus truly is.
At Cana, His glory shines — not yet in power, but in mercy, joy, and transformation.
St. Cyril of Alexandria says:
“He began with a sign of joy, because He came to renew not only the world but the heart, to change the sadness of sin into the gladness of salvation.” (Commentary on John II.1)
Faith begins here — not through argument, but through wonder.
9. From Cana to Calvary
The Fathers loved to link Cana and Calvary — the first and last times Mary appears in John’s Gospel.
At Cana, she says: “They have no wine.”
At Calvary, she sees the Blood of Christ poured out for the world.
At Cana, she says: “Do whatever He tells you.”
At Calvary, He says: “Behold your mother.”
St. Augustine writes:
“The two are one mystery — the beginning of the signs and the end of the sufferings; the water changed into wine, and the wine changed into blood.” (Tractates on John VIII.13)
Thus, the joy of Cana opens the path to the sacrifice of the Cross — love’s fullness revealed.
10. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| Wedding feast | Image of the covenant and Christ’s union with the Church |
| Mary’s intercession | The New Eve leads to the New Adam |
| “My hour” | The Cross as the supreme manifestation of glory |
| Six jars | The old covenant fulfilled in grace |
| Water into wine | Transformation of law into love |
| Obedience of servants | Faith cooperating with divine power |
| Good wine last | The new surpasses the old |
St. Ambrose sums it up:
“At Cana, Christ began His miracles; at Calvary, He completed them. The water became wine that man might drink of joy; His Blood became drink that man might live forever.” (On the Sacraments V.1)
11. Moral and Spiritual Application
Invite Christ into every joy. A feast with Christ becomes a sacrament.
Imitate Mary’s compassion. See need before others do; bring it to Jesus.
Trust His timing. Even when He says “not yet,” faith waits in confidence.
Obey completely. Miracles begin when obedience is “to the brim.”
Rejoice in grace. The Christian life is not water turned to duty, but wine turned to joy.
12. Christ the Bridegroom of the Church
The wedding at Cana foreshadows the heavenly marriage feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7).
The Bridegroom is Christ; the Bride is the Church; the wine is the Holy Spirit poured out.
St. Augustine exclaims:
“The first marriage was of Adam and Eve; the last is of Christ and the Church. The first brought death, the second brings life.” (Sermon 127.1)
Thus, every Christian vocation — marriage, priesthood, or consecration — participates in this mystery of divine love.
13. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, true Bridegroom and Giver of joy,
You turned water into wine at Cana through the intercession of Your Mother.
Change our hearts as You changed that water — from emptiness to gladness, from fear to faith.
Teach us to do whatever You tell us,
that the jars of our lives may overflow with grace,
until we share forever in the wedding feast of the Lamb. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 