John 2:4

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Woman {G1135}, what {G5101} have I {G1698} to do with {G2532} thee {G4671}? mine {G3450} hour {G5610} is {G2240} not yet {G3768} come {G2240}.

Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me? — or you? My time hasn’t come yet.”

“Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

John 2:4 captures a pivotal moment at the Wedding at Cana, serving as Jesus's initial response to His mother, Mary, concerning a practical need – the shortage of wine. This verse is significant as it sets the tone for Jesus's public ministry and reveals key aspects of His divine purpose and timing.

Context

This verse occurs at the beginning of Jesus's public ministry, specifically at the Wedding at Cana in Galilee, described in John 2:1-11. Mary, noticing the wine had run out, subtly prompts Jesus to intervene. Her expectation seems to be that He would use His divine power to alleviate the social embarrassment. Jesus's reply, however, indicates a shift from familial obligation to divine mission, marking the transition from His private life to His public display of power through signs, the first of which is turning water into wine.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Woman" (Gunai): While this address might sound abrupt or disrespectful in modern English, in ancient Greek and Middle Eastern culture, gunai was a common and respectful, albeit formal, way for a son to address his mother, or for anyone to address a woman. It signifies a respectful distance, not a rebuke. Jesus also used this term for Mary from the cross (John 19:26) and for other women in the Gospels (e.g., the Samaritan woman in John 4).
  • "What have I to do with thee?" (Ti emoi kai soi?): This is an idiomatic expression, literally meaning "What to me and to you?" It signifies a boundary or distinction of purpose. It's not a rejection of Mary, but a declaration that His actions are no longer governed by familial ties or human requests but by His Father's divine will and timing. He is asserting His unique divine authority and mission.
  • "Mine hour is not yet come": This phrase is profoundly significant in John's Gospel, where "the hour" (he hōra mou) consistently refers to the climactic moment of Jesus's glorification through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. By saying His hour "is not yet come," Jesus emphasizes that His actions are precisely timed according to God's sovereign plan, not human urgency or expectations. This divine timing is a recurring theme, highlighting that Jesus's life and death unfolded according to a predetermined schedule (John 12:23, John 13:1).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Timing and Sovereignty: Jesus's response underscores that His ministry and actions are dictated by God's perfect timing, not by human prompting or need. He operates according to a divine schedule known only to the Father.
  • Jesus's Authority and Mission: The verse highlights Jesus's independence from earthly authority, including His mother's influence, in matters pertaining to His divine mission. His ultimate purpose is to fulfill the Father's will.
  • Transition to Public Ministry: This exchange subtly marks the beginning of Jesus's public display of miraculous power, signaling His unveiling as the Son of God to the world.

Practical Application

John 2:4 teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing for our lives and for the fulfillment of His promises. Just as Jesus operated according to His "hour," we are called to patiently wait on the Lord, understanding that His plans unfold precisely when and how He intends. It also reminds us that Jesus's primary allegiance was to His divine mission, encouraging believers to prioritize God's will above all earthly relationships and concerns. This verse invites us to consider how we might align our own desires and expectations with God's sovereign timetable and purpose for our lives.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 7:6

    Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

  • John 13:1

    ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • John 8:20

    These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

  • John 7:30

    Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

  • John 12:23

    And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1

    ¶ To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

  • John 19:26

    When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

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