From Water to Wine

Among the most well-known stories in the Gospels, Jesus turning 'water to wine' is arguably one of the most recognized. While some see a story that highlights mastery over the physical elements, the presence of many Rabbinic metaphors indicates that there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Let's begin by reading through the passages, and highlighting a few of them.

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus said to her, Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come. 5 His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you.

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, Fill the jars with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. So they took it.

9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from though the servants who had drawn the water knew, the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

- John 2:1-11

Be aware, these passages are packed with many metaphors that parallel the Midrash, but also the mystical framework as well. For the sake of readability, however, we'll only focus on;

• The third day
• Water and Wine
• The Wedding Banquet
• 6 stone jars of water

Metaphors

The Third Day

In the creation narrative, the third day is one that we understand as unique in that G_D said the word "Tov", twice. For this reason, the third day has significance in the Rabbinic tradition, which is partly why weddings are associated with this day¹. In Jewish literature, the Third day is a phrase meant to grab a reader's attention².

Water and Wine

Among the key features of this passage are the juxtaposition of water and wine. The Talmud asserts that levels of Torah, (ie: the wisdom of G_D), are likened to (3) different liquids;

Why are matters of Torah likened to these three liquids: water, wine, and milk? - Taanit 7a:16