4.Q. What may we learn from Christ’s answer to his mother?
A. That in some measure she was to be blamed, for making so free with our Saviour; that our relations, even our parents, ought not to be regarded, when they would hinder us in religion; and that it can never be presumed, that the Virgin has such power over our Lord, as the Church of Rome supposes, now he is in heaven, since he said to her upon this occasion, “Woman, what have I to do with thee,” when he was on earth.
Q. May it not be supposed that Christ had shewn some miracle before he entered on his public ministry?
A. There is great reason to think he had, or otherwise it is hardly to be imagined, she should so readily apply to him to work a miracle on this occasion, or bid the servants to take such notice of his orders.
Q. What is meant by Christ’s saying, “Mine hour is not yet come?”
A. Mine hour for working this miracle is not yet come; the wine being not quite, though very near out, as the original word signifies: our extremity is Christ’s opportunity.
5.Q. What may we learn from this verse?
A. That what the Virgin said to these servants, we should think said to ourselves; and whatsoever Christ saith unto us, we must do.
6.Q. May there any thing be gathered from this verse, to confirm the truth of our Saviour’s miracle?
A. Yes: the watering-pots being made use of by the Jews, to purify or wash themselves, as they came in and out, as the Papists now make use of their ridiculous holy-water; it was plain nothing but water used to be put in them, and being made of stone, supposing wine had formerly been put in them, no tincture of it could remain to colour the water that Jesus Christ commanded to be put in; which could not be said, had they been made of wood.