John 2:1-11 | Patterns In The Bible
John 2:1-11
Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding is a famous story.
However, Jesus’ initial response to his mother’s report about the shortage of wine is a strange one: “Woman, what does this have to do with me?” (John 2:4a). How should we understand his seemingly rude reply?
Bible scholar Edward Klink helpfully points out that the prophet Elisha gave a similar response under similar circumstances. When asked by the kings of Israel, Judah and Edom to inquire of the LORD for their army, which had marched for seven days and were desperate for water, Elisha replied, “What have I to do with you?” (2 Kings 3:12).
Klink argues that the Elisha narrative in 2 Kings 3-4 provides an interpretative key to understanding Jesus from a prophetic perspective. Elisha’s miracles in those two chapters share striking similarities (and differences) with Jesus’ first two signs in John 2-4.
As we read the signs of Jesus in John’s gospel, we also need to ask if Jesus is just another miracle performing prophet, or is he the “good wine”, the greater, promised prophet who has finally come.
References
Klink, E. W. I. (2005). What concern is that to you and to me? John 2: 1-11 and the Elisha Narratives. Neotestamentica, 39(2), 273-287.