Christ's Bride

The Wedding at Cana: A Hidden Sign for the Bride

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​The very first time I read how Jesus responded to his mother at the wedding in Cana — when she mentioned that there was no more wine — I was struck by his words: “Woman, why is that of concern to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.”--John 2:4. For years, I wondered why he called her Woman. I also asked myself why this wedding story was recorded at all. Was it only to show Jesus’ compassion? John himself concluded his gospel by saying: “There are also, in fact, many other things that Jesus did, which if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose the world itself could not contain the scrolls written.” --John 21:25. Thinking about the fact that Jehovah not only inspired the writing but also decided what sayings should be preserved, I was reminded of Solomon’s words: “The congregator sought to find delightful words and to record accurate words of truth. The words of the wise are like oxgoads, and their collected sayings are like firmly embedded nails; they have been given from one shepherd. As for anything besides these, my son, be warned: To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.”--Ecclesiastis 12:10-12. These statements from Solomon and John made me reconsider why Jehovah chose to include the account of the wedding feast in Cana as part of his inspired Word for humankind.

 

While writing this book, I developed a heightened awareness of Christ’s bride and the marriage feast. I began to experience for myself what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who has been born from the spirit.”--John 3:8.  For many years, I heard that voice — like the wind — but it was hard to grasp without first being born from the spirit. Once I personally received this birth, it changed my perception of the wedding story completely. The account of the wedding at Cana was not preserved in the Bible by accident. Jesus’ anointed disciples, guided by holy spirit, understood its deep meaning and knew exactly why they wanted this event included in the Gospels. They were becoming part of that collective bride. John the Baptist, too, recognized this truth. As with everything else, the spirit searches into the deep things, and only those who have Jehovah’s spirit are truly able to piece it all together.

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Let me start with the fact that his mother even approached Jesus with her remark about the wine. Of course, it could have been simply a comment — “They don’t have wine” — just stating a fact. But it could also have been a subtle request for help. Jesus’ reply, “Why is that of concern to you and to me? My hour has not yet come,” makes it clear that his mother did expect him to do something about the situation. Why would she speak with that tone of expectation? While the miracle at Cana is mentioned as his first public sign that helped his newly called followers put faith in him, Mary had already witnessed miracles connected to her son, even before his birth. Jehovah had every reason to support his beloved Son in extraordinary ways. And the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray — with full faith that they would receive what they asked for — shows that these miracles were not meant to benefit only him. Jesus said: “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you that whoever tells this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but has faith that what he says is going to happen, he will have it happen. This is why I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for, have faith that you have received them, and you will have them. And when you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:22-25).  If Jesus taught others to pray this way, he certainly lived by the same standard. Mary likely witnessed many occasions when Jesus’ prayers were answered powerfully. This gives her comment at the wedding a deeper dimension — she expected him to do something. Yet his reply shows he did not feel obligated to intervene at that moment, especially since his hour had not yet come. 

 

Jesus did this in Cana of Galilee as the beginning of his signs, and he made his glory manifest, and his disciples put their faith in him. (John 2:11) So, although Jesus did not consider it his hour to reveal his glory in a full sense, he still responded to his mother’s remark. This shows that even though his divine timetable was set by his Father, he was willing to act with compassion and respect for his mother’s request, allowing this first sign to strengthen the faith of his new disciples.​

 

But there is even more depth involved here. A little later, Jesus told Nicodemus: “The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who has been born from the spirit.” I believe this miracle at Cana was one such demonstration of being guided by holy spirit. The request came from his mother, and its tone carried a quiet urgency. Jesus’ first feeling was that it was not the right time: “Why is that of concern to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” Yet he sensed the movement of the spirit. This was more than just an act of compassion to spare a newly married couple from shame; much more was taking place. This was more than just an act of compassion to spare a newly married couple from shame; much more was taking place. The newly called disciples — the first members of Christ’s Bride — were present at that wedding. Jesus had just invited them with the words, “Follow me,” and he had already promised them: “Most truly I say to you men, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God ascending and descending to the Son of man.” — John 1:51. It was time to respond to the call from above — the Jerusalem above, which Paul identified as “our mother”: “These things stand as a symbolic drama; for these women mean two covenants: the one from Mount Siʹnai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Haʹgar. Now this Haʹgar means Siʹnai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: ‘Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of her who has the husband.’ Now we, brothers, are children belonging to the promise, the same as Isaac was.” — Galatians 4:24–28.

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When Jesus addressed Mary as “woman,” it may show that he was listening not just to human words but to the voice of the heavenly woman and the angels who serve her children. This explains why Jesus often said, “Let the one who has ears listen,” and spoke of those born from spirit: “The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going.” (John 3:8) They hear the voice, they hear the calling — and they see the angels serving the Son of man. When you listen with a second ear and perceive on a deeper level, you are, in a sense, peering into a parallel reality—in this case, imagining how Jesus might have been symbolically addressing his heavenly mother. 

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In the study note for this scripture in the Study Bible, there is a helpful reference in the Insight Book, under the article “Mary” on page 347. It explains: “Mary was Jesus’ mother according to the flesh; but since his begetting by holy spirit at the time of his baptism, he was primarily God’s Son, his ‘mother’ being ‘the Jerusalem above.’ (Galatians 4:26) Jesus emphasized this fact when Mary and her other children once interrupted him during a teaching session by asking him to come outside where they were. Jesus made it clear that his true mother and close relatives were those of his spiritual family, showing that spiritual matters take precedence over fleshly interests.” — (See Matthew 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:19–21)

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It is also interesting to note that Jesus consistently used the same term “woman” when speaking to women—including his mother. If you have wondered whether this way of addressing Mary was disrespectful, you might find it helpful to read the article linked in the study note for John 2:4, which explains this context clearly: 👉 Questions From Readers — Was Jesus being disrespectful or unkind in the way he addressed his mother at the wedding feast in Cana?

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Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come,” yet he heard the cry of the woman above and responded. The bride at Cana was prepared and purified—it was fitting to celebrate that wedding. But what about Christ’s Bride?

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At first glance, the appointed hour for this heavenly Bride seems to be still ahead, fully realized only during the Lord’s Day. Nevertheless, as John the Baptist testified: “He that has the bride is the bridegroom. However, the friend of the bridegroom, when he stands and hears him, has a great deal of joy on account of the voice of the bridegroom. Therefore this joy of mine has been made full.” — John 3:29

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This echoes the Song of Songs:

• “And your palate like the best wine, going down smoothly for my dear one, flowing gently over the lips of those who are asleep.” — Song of Songs 7:9

• “How beautiful your expressions of endearment are, O my sister, my bride! How much better your expressions of endearment are than wine and the fragrance of your oils than all sorts of perfume!” — Song of Songs 4:10

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These poetic words describe the deep joy and affection Jesus and his first followers—his collective Bride in its early form—shared when they encountered one another. The final hour for the Bride to be taken into the heavenly dwelling places had not yet come, but the joy of that sacred love was already flowing. John the Baptist, as a loyal friend of the Bridegroom, experienced this joy to the full.

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The anointed Jesus and these first future members of his collective Bride were present at that wedding in Cana—overflowing with joy, unrestrained by human circumstances. Nothing prevented Jesus and Jehovah from blessing the occasion with finer wine. Jesus prayed for Jehovah’s blessing and moved forward with faith.

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Later, speaking of those who would inherit the Kingdom, Jesus said: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press, and those pressing forward are seizing it.” — Matthew 11:12

This was the perfect moment to hear the woman’s cry and respond by pressing forward—an action that left an unfading imprint on the hearts of his first disciples. The wedding at Cana stands as a living symbol of the joy, unity, and promise that bind the Bridegroom and his Bride.

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Now, if we tie this together with the ancient custom of the groom, it deepens the symbolism even more. In biblical times, once the bride-price was agreed upon and paid to the bride’s family, the bride was legally bound as the groom’s wife, even though she often continued living with her family for a time. During this period, the groom would prepare a dwelling place—often by adding a room to his father’s house or building a separate residence—to receive his bride when the appointed hour finally arrived.

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In this light, Jesus’ words and actions at Cana beautifully foreshadow a greater fulfillment. The fine wine at that wedding hinted at the superior blessings and unmatched joy reserved for Christ’s Bride. Although the hour to take his Bride fully into the prepared dwelling places was still in the future, the relationship was legally established, the price was being paid, and the spiritual intimacy and joy between the Bridegroom and his betrothed were already flowing like the best wine.

As Jesus said later to his faithful followers: “In the house of my Father are many dwelling places… I am going my way to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2

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Thus, the wedding at Cana stands not only as Jesus’ first sign but also as a living illustration of the deep love, binding promise, and joyful expectation shared between the heavenly Bridegroom and his Bride. Even now, they rejoice together in anticipation of the final, perfect hour when he will come again to take her home.

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When the Hour Was Not Yet—Yet the Wine Flowed

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Now, at this wedding, his mother calls on him to act. Jesus considers her request prayerfully and notices six stone water jars used for the Jewish rites of purification — each large enough to hold many gallons. How symbolic this is! As Paul wrote: “Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it, in order that he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the bath of water by means of the word, so that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, without a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27) And again, “Let us rejoice and be overjoyed and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself.” (Revelation 19:7) 

 

The cleansing with water represents the purifying power of God’s word. In this scene, the jars for purification stand empty — exhausted in the preparations. Jesus directs them to be filled with water. Then, by the power of his prayer and the flow of holy spirit, this water — symbolizing the word — is transformed into the fine wine of the covenant. Did Jesus feel the spirit’s prompting in his mother’s request? His initial response was “No, it is not our concern; my hour has not yet come.” But the spirit stirred him to move forward. He prayed, acted, and gave clear instructions, confident in faith that his Father would respond. When the water had been turned into wine, the director of the feast marveled, saying, “Everyone else puts out the fine wine first, and when people are intoxicated, the inferior. You have saved the fine wine until now.”--John 2:10. Jehovah’s spirit was already orchestrating these events: the guests were invited, his mother asked for help, Jesus reconsidered, and, like the wind, he allowed himself to be guided by the spirit’s flow. When the Hour Was Not Yet—Yet the Wine Flowed. What a miracle — and what a sign pointing ahead to the greater marriage feast, where the Bride will be ready, purified, and partaking of the finest wine with the Bridegroom himself.

 

What this also reveals to us is that the new wine — which likely represents the new covenant — is far better than what was served first. Many were already intoxicated with the wine presented by the newly married couple, but the finest wine was reserved for later. In the same way, we are living in expectation of that better wine to be served at the marriage of the Lamb with his purified bride, spotless and without blemish. How rich in symbolism is this simple account of the wedding at Cana! It opens our eyes to see that Jehovah inspired this story not just as a record of compassion, but as a living illustration of the cleansing, transformation, and joyous fulfillment that the Bride will soon experience with her Bridegroom.

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Seeing Cana Through the Eyes of True Worship

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As “true Israelites,” we—Jehovah’s Witnesses—hold big conventions and two smaller local assemblies every year. These are well represented by the three festivals that Jehovah prescribed for his chosen nation to celebrate under the foreshadow of the future spiritual temple that Jesus built.

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My congregation was assigned to attend a regional assembly, “Pure Worship,” in Evansville, Indiana, on June 13–15, 2025. This year we also observed two more episodes of the series “Good News According to Jesus.” These episodes cover the first few months of Jesus’ ministry, starting from his baptism and including the wedding at Cana.

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While I was watching on Saturday the 14th, the moving pictures with Bible narration impressed me deeply. The only word that differed was the use of “mommy” instead of “woman.” This little deviation didn’t distract me; actually, the original “woman” has long distracted me more, since I first read it years ago and have never lost my curiosity about why Jesus addressed his mother this way in that account. I will skip that research here, to keep my focus on the bigger things that were revealed to me while watching the wedding at Cana.

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I emphasize the importance of not stumbling over small details. Many stopped following Jesus when they heard things that did not match their own perceptions. Even John the Baptist—who heard Jehovah’s own voice identifying Jesus as His beloved Son—later questioned: “But John, having heard in jail about the works of the Christ, sent by means of his own disciples and said to him: ‘Are you the Coming One, or are we to expect a different one?’ In reply Jesus said to them: ‘Go your way and report to John what you are hearing and seeing: The blind are seeing again, the lame are walking about, the lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised up, and the poor are having the good news declared to them; and happy is he that finds no cause for stumbling in me.’” — Matthew 11:2–6. For this reason, I also encourage readers not to stumble over the “mommy–woman” wording. I recognize it is important, and I may add my thoughts on it elsewhere in this book. For now, I share the link to the Insight book article Woman: Insight on the Scriptures — “Woman”

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You will benefit far more by keeping your eye on what this dramatization reveals—how the purification by water at Cana foreshadows the wine of the covenant. Keeping all of this in mind, take a moment to watch a dramatization of this wedding when the link becomes available. Observe how much deeper the story becomes when we see it through the eyes of faith and with the guidance of holy spirit.

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I want to add the direct link here, but I cannot until it is officially published on JW.org. It won’t be released until this year’s convention program has been completed worldwide—but I will update it here later.

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If you are curious and eager to experience it sooner, find the closest assembly location near you by clicking the link below. There, you can see this beautiful dramatization for yourself: 👉 Find a Convention Near You

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The Purification and the Better Wine

 

All the above makes me think about the wine that Jesus spoke of on his last night with his disciples. He said:

 

“And taking a cup, he offered thanks and gave it to them, saying: ‘Drink out of it, all of you, for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you: I will by no means drink again any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in the Kingdom of my Father.” — Matthew 26:27–29.

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What I think is: after the wine that intoxicates everyone, we can expect a new wine, a new covenant—better and more refined than before—one that Jesus himself will partake of in his Kingdom. This is the wine I am looking forward to drinking as well.​