John 2:4

John 2:4

Jesus saith unto her, woman
Calling her "woman", as it was no ways contrary to her being a virgin, ( Galatians 4:4 ) , so it was no mark of disrespect; it being an usual way of speaking with the Jews, when they showed the greatest respect to the person spoken to; and was used by our Lord when he addressed his mother with the greatest tenderness, and strongest affection, ( John 19:26 ) . The Jews frequently object this passage to us Christians: one of their writers his objection in this manner F16:


Another puts it thus F17:

``it is their (the Christians) belief, that Mary, even after she brought forth Jesus, was a virgin; but if she was, as they say, why does not her son call her by the name of virgin? but he calls her a woman, which signifies one known by man, as appears from ( John 2:4 ) ( 8:10 ) .''


what have I to do with thee?


whereas it is a clear case that he was one of the guests, one that was invited, ( John 2:2 ) , and that there was a governor or ruler of the feast, who might be more properly called the master of it than Jesus, ( John 2:8 John 2:10 ) . However, since Christ afterwards did concern himself in it, it looks as if this was not his meaning. Others render it to the sense we do, "what have I with thee?" as the Ethiopic version; or "what business hast thou with me?" as the Persic version; and is the same with, (Klw yl hm) , "what have I to do with thee?" used in ( 1 Kings 17:18 ) ( 2 Kings 3:13 ) , where the Septuagint use the same phrase as here; and such a way of speaking is common with Jewish writers F19: hereby signifying, that though, as man, and a son of hers, he had been subject to her, in which he had set an example of obedience to parents; yet, as God, he had a Father in heaven, whose business he came to do; and in that, and in his office, as Mediator, she had nothing to do with him; nor was he to be directed by her in that work; or to be told, or the least hint given when a miracle should be wrought, by him in confirmation of his mission and doctrine. Moreover, he adds,

mine hour is not yet come:


F16 Vet. Nizzachon, p. 222.
F18 Vet. Nizzachon, p. 223.
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