# 2:4 Woman, what have I to do with thee? ] S. John alone of all the Evangelists never gives the Virgin’s name. Here, as so often, he assumes that his readers know the main points in the Gospel narrative: or it may be part of the reserve which he exhibits with regard to all that nearly concerns himself. Christ’s Mother had become his mother (Joh 19:26-27). He nowhere mentions his brother James. Treatises have been written to shew that these words do not contain a rebuke; for if Christ here rebukes His Mother, it cannot be maintained that she is immaculate. ‘Woman’ of course implies no rebuke; the Greek might more fairly be rendered ‘Lady’ (comp. Joh 19:26), At the same time it marks a difference between the Divine Son and the earthly parent: He does not say, ‘Mother.’ But ‘what have I to do with thee?’ does imply rebuke, as is evident from the other passages where the phrase occurs, Jdg 11:12; 1Ki 17:18; 2Ki 3:13; Mat 8:29; Mar 1:24; Luk 8:28. Only in one passage does the meaning seem to vary: in 2Ch 35:21 the question seems to mean ‘why need we quarrel?’ rather than ‘what have we in common?’ But such a meaning, if possible there, would be quite inappropriate here. The further question has been asked,—what was she rebuked for? Chrysostom thinks for vanity; she wished to glorify herself through her Son. More probably for interference: He will help, but in His own way, and in His own time. Comp. Luk 2:51. mine hour ] The meaning of ‘My hour’ and ‘His hour’ in this Gospel depends in each case on the context. There cannot here be any reference to His death; rather it means His hour for ‘manifesting forth His glory’ (Joh 2:11) as the Messiah by working miracles. The exact moment was still in the future. Comp. Joh 7:8, where He for the moment refuses what He soon after does; and Joh 12:23, Joh 17:1, which confirm the meaning here given to ‘hour.’ -------------------- # 2:5 Between the lines of His refusal her faith reads a better answer to her appeal. -------------------- # 2:6 six waterpots of stone ] As an eyewitness S. John remembers their number, material, and size. The surroundings of the first miracle would not easily be forgotten. It is idle to seek for any special meaning in the number six. Vessels of stone were preferred as being less liable to impurity. purifying ] Comp. Mat 15:2; Mar 7:3 (see note); Luk 11:39. two or three firkins ] ‘Firkin’ is an almost exact equivalent of the Greek metrçtes, which was about nine gallons. The six pitchers, therefore, holding from 18 to 27 gallons each, would together hold 106 to 162 gallons. -------------------- # 2:7 Fill the waterpots ] It is difficult to see the meaning of this command, if (as some contend) only the water which was drawn out was turned into wine. The pitchers had been partially emptied by the ceremonial ablutions of the company, i.e. pouring water over their hands. Note that in His miracles Christ does not create; He increases the quantity, or changes the quality of things already existing. to the brim ] His Mother’s words (Joh 2:5) have done their work. Our attention seems here to be called to the great quantity of water changed into wine.