John 2:3-4 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine.… The phrase τι ἐμοὶ χαὶ σοί is a literal translation of the Hebrew מַה־לּי יָלָך (Joshua 22:24; Judges 11:12; 2 Samuel 16:10; 1 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 3:13; Matthew 8:29; Matthew 27:19; Mark 1:24). It is also found in the classics. The radical idea appears to be: "What have we in common? Our relations are wholly different." The formula there is used to express unwillingness to be disturbed or hindered by any one. It always implies reproof, although sometimes a friendly one merely (2 Samuel 16:10), here, "Mingle not thyself in my concerns; we pursue different aims and thou comprehendest me not." If Christ, then, did not consider this as a suitable occasion for the performance of a miracle, why does He, nevertheless, follow His mother's suggestion? Because it could not, on the other hand be regarded as an unsuitable one. for it offered Him an occasion for proving His philanthropic disposition. As Messiah He uttered the reproof, as a son He complied with the request. The address γύναι is not disrespectful, but solemn, (cf. the address from the cross John 19:26). Augustus thus addresses Cleopatra: "Take courage, O woman, and keep a good heart." That the look of Jesus expressed more than His words convey, may be gathered from the address of His mother to the servants. (A. Tholuck, D. D.)The sense is what have I as God to do with thee a woman?. Dost thou suppose that the Divine power by which I work miracles can be set in motion by thee because thou art the mother of My humanity? Hence Christ who loved and revered His earthly mother (Luke 2:51; John 19:26) teaches us to begin with love and reverence to our Heavenly Father. "The hour of My weakness derived from thee has not yet come; but it will come, and when that hour of human infirmity arrives, and when that infirmity of which thou art the mother, hangs on the cross, then will I own thee." John 19:26, 27 is the best comment on this text. (Bp. Wordsworth.)Mary catches at the little unobtrusive word, not yet, and with great penetration infers from it, then it will come! (Herberger.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.WEB: When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine." |
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