John 2:4 kjv

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

John 2:4 nkjv

Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."

John 2:4 niv

"Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come."

John 2:4 esv

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come."

John 2:4 nlt

"Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

John 2 verses

John 2 4 Meaning

John 2:4 records Jesus' response to His mother Mary's implicit request at the wedding in Cana when the wine ran out. His words convey that His mission and divine timing are independent of human influence or familial ties. "Woman, what does this have to do with me?" signifies a respectful yet clear redefinition of their relationship, placing His divine mission above earthly expectations. "My hour has not yet come" asserts His divine autonomy over the timing of His self-revelation and miraculous acts, foreshadowing His ultimate "hour" of glorification through crucifixion and resurrection. This moment marks a transition from a familial role to His public, messianic ministry guided solely by the Father's will.

John 2 4 Context

The setting is a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Jewish weddings were elaborate and multi-day affairs, and running out of wine would bring immense social shame upon the host family. Mary, likely sensing the urgency or perhaps anticipating Jesus' ability to help given His unique nature, brings the problem to His attention. This is a private, family setting before Jesus' extensive public ministry truly commenced. The immediate context shows Mary’s faith or expectation, evidenced by her instructing the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." (Jn 2:5), even after Jesus' seemingly rebuffing reply. John deliberately frames this miracle as "the first of his signs" (Jn 2:11), highlighting its significance as the inauguration of Jesus' public demonstration of power and glory. The passage occurs early in John's Gospel, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent miracles and teachings, all connected to the theme of His "hour."

John 2 4 Word analysis

• Jesus: The central figure of the Gospel, beginning to step into His public ministry.
• said: Indicates direct verbal communication.
• to her: Referring to Mary, Jesus' mother, indicating a personal exchange.
• Woman (γύναι - gynai):
  • Word Level: This Greek term for "woman" (γυνή - gynē, vocative gynai) was a common, respectful, and polite form of address, equivalent to "Madam" or "Ma'am" in English, or even "Dear woman." It was not a harsh or disrespectful term, though in English it might sound so.
  • Significance: Jesus' use of this address to His mother, rather than "Mother" (Μήτηρ - Mētēr), is highly significant. It subtly but firmly distinguishes His divine, public role from His private, filial relationship. He is stepping out of the direct jurisdiction of His earthly mother and into the unique mission assigned by His heavenly Father. This sets the boundary of His messianic identity and mission.
  • Biblical Echo: Jesus uses this same address at the cross (Jn 19:26), when entrusting Mary to John's care, underscoring this consistent shift in their relationship during His public and salvific mission.
• what does this have to do with me? (τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί - ti emoi kai soi):
  • Word Level: This is a literal translation of a common idiomatic Greek expression, frequent in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament).
  • Meaning of Idiom: It typically expresses a sense of distance, separation of interest, non-alignment, or "What is it to me and to you?" or "Why involve me?" or "That is your concern, not mine." It is not necessarily a harsh dismissal but rather a clarification of distinct agendas or spheres of action.
  • Significance: In this context, it implies that Mary’s concern (a social dilemma) and Jesus’ divine mission (revealing His glory according to divine timing) operate on different planes. His immediate act will be by divine timing and purpose, not merely a response to human need or familial prompting. It points to a distinct purpose and authority from her own.
• My hour:
  • Word Level: "Hour" (ὥρα - hōra) in John’s Gospel is far more than a temporal unit. It refers to a divinely appointed, specific period or a fated moment in Jesus’ life.
  • Significance: It is a recurring motif in John's Gospel (Jn 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 13:1, 17:1). Initially, it refers to the beginning of His public manifestation and then increasingly to His Passion, death, and resurrection—the moment of His ultimate glorification. Here, it signifies that while a miracle would happen, it would be according to His divine schedule and purpose, not Mary's.
• has not yet come:
  • Word Level: The phrase "not yet" (οὔπω - oupō) indicates a temporal distinction.
  • Significance: This emphasizes divine timing. Jesus acts according to the Father's predetermined will and schedule, not based on human urgency or expectation. It shows His perfect alignment with God’s plan, establishing the sovereign control He has over His messianic acts. This first sign, while indeed manifesting His glory, was the beginning of His public signs, not yet the full culmination of His "hour" of sacrifice.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "Woman, what does this have to do with me?": This combined phrase dramatically highlights the re-orientation of Jesus’ earthly relationships in light of His divine mission. He is establishing His authority and independence from human direction, even from His mother, transitioning from an obedient son to the authoritative Son of God whose actions are divinely guided. This is not disrespect but a declaration of His divine identity and priority.
• "My hour has not yet come": This clause asserts divine sovereignty over His entire messianic ministry. It signifies that Jesus' miracles, teachings, and ultimately His death and resurrection will occur not arbitrarily or due to human pressure, but at the specific, pre-ordained time set by the Father. This theological statement introduces one of John's most crucial themes—the divine timing of Jesus' ultimate glorification. Despite this, Mary still expected Him to act (Jn 2:5), suggesting an underlying understanding of His power and willingness, even if the timing was questioned.

John 2 4 Bonus section

Mary’s response in John 2:5, "Whatever he says to you, do it," indicates that she understood Jesus’ words not as a flat refusal, but as a statement of divine timing and control over His mission. Her command to the servants shows a continued faith and expectation that Jesus would act, albeit on His own terms. This subtle interaction highlights a deep, yet nuanced, understanding between mother and Son regarding His unique identity and purpose. The incident at Cana, being the "first of His signs" (Jn 2:11), functions as an inaugurating event that "manifested His glory" and caused His disciples to believe, demonstrating that even preliminary manifestations of glory adhere to the Father's chosen timetable. It distinguishes Jesus' actions from human wishes, emphasizing God's perfect plan.

John 2 4 Commentary

John 2:4 serves as a pivotal verse introducing foundational themes of Jesus' ministry in John's Gospel. It reveals Jesus' divine autonomy and sovereignty, establishing that His actions are not prompted by human necessity or familial expectations but by divine timing and purpose. His addressing Mary as "Woman" rather than "Mother" signals a respectful but clear shift from His private, filial role to His public, messianic calling, emphasizing His allegiance to the Father's will above all. The declaration "My hour has not yet come" underlines that His miraculous power and revelation of glory operate on a divinely appointed schedule, independent of earthly urgencies. While it seemingly implies a delay or refusal, the subsequent miracle shows that the "hour" could begin its unfolding, even if its culmination (His glorification through death) was still future. It sets a boundary on how His ministry would proceed – not driven by human demands but by divine decree.