The Wedding at Cana — Water to Wine
At a wedding the wine runs out, and at his mother’s word Jesus turns water into wine — “the beginning of miracles,” the first sign by which he manifested forth his glory and his disciples’ faith was strengthened.
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The reading is the Restoration Edition — the Joseph Smith Translation reading — carried beside each Gospel and set against the King James baseline. Headers give both numbering systems: the RE chapter and verse, and the traditional KJV reference.
1And on the third day of the week, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2And Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3And when they lacked wine, his mother said unto him, They have no wine. 4Jesus said unto her, Woman, what will you have me to do for you? That will I do, for my hour has not yet come. 5His mother said unto the servants, Whatever he says unto you, see that you do it.
6There were set there six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7Jesus said unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he said, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bore unto him. 9When the governor of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine (he knew not from where it was, but the servants who drew the water knew), the governor of the feast called the bridegroom 10and said unto him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and the faith of his disciples was strengthened in him.
1On the third day of the week, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his followers were invited guests at the marriage. 3And when the wedding party wanted more wine, his mother said to him, They have run out of wine. 4Jesus replied, Mother, why are you talking to me about it? The time for me to provide sacramental wine has not yet arrived. 5But his mother instructed the servants, Whatever he tells you to do, follow through with it.
6There were six waterpots made of stone that were used for ceremonial purification in religious observances, each containing twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus instructed the servants, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he said, Now remove some and take it to the host. And they took it to him. 9When the host of the wedding tasted the ceremonial water, it had been converted to wine. But he did not know the source that converted the water, unlike the servants who recognized the Source. The host of the feast called for the bridegroom, 10and praised him using a proverb, saying, Careful men introduce their plans using the best wine, and later, when their followers are drunk, then their worst — but you have brought us better wine than at the start.
11This was a sign confirming his role as the Messiah that was performed by Jesus in Cana of Galilee. It was a demonstration of authority over both the elements and ordinances of salvation. Those who recognized this as a sign of his authority were awed as they considered it was him present among them.
- Jesus tells his mother his “hour has not yet come,” yet acts at her word — and the TSJ calls the wine “sacramental.” How does this first sign quietly point forward to the hour that does come, and the cup he gives at the last supper?
- Mary’s only instruction is “Whatever he says unto you, see that you do it” — the same counsel Pharaoh gave of Joseph in Egypt. What would it mean to take that as the whole of discipleship?
- The servants who drew the water “knew” the source; the governor did not. What does it say that those nearest the work, doing the humblest part, are the ones who recognize the miracle?