“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.’” – John 2:4
At the wedding in Cana, Jesus replied to His mother in a way that might sound harsh in English, but it wasn’t rude at all in His time. When Jesus called His mother “Woman,” it was actually a respectful and gentle way of speaking, similar to saying “Ma’am” today. He even used this same word with love when He spoke to her from the cross, saying, “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26). By using that word, Jesus showed that His mission now went beyond His role as her Son. He was acting according to His Father’s will.
The phrase “What does your concern have to do with Me?” comes from the Greek expression “ti emoi kai soi, which literally means “What to me and to you?” or What do you and I have in common about this matter? It was a common idiom used to express a difference in perspective or purpose. Jesus was not rebuking Mary, but clarifying that His actions were governed solely by His Father’s will, not by human influence, even from His earthly mother. He was making it clear that His mission and timing came from God alone, not from family expectations or social pressure. His words established that divine authority would guide His ministry from beginning to end.
When Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come,” He referred to the divinely appointed time of His glorification, the sequence of events that would lead to His crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation. Throughout the Gospel of John, “the hour” represents the moment of His ultimate obedience to the Father’s will and the fulfillment of His redemptive work. At Cana, that hour had not yet arrived, so Jesus was reminding Mary that the revelation of His glory would unfold only as the Father directed. Yet, even in this early miracle, His transforming power was revealed as a sign of what was to come.
Many people have used this verse, John 2:4, to support beliefs or traditions that are not truly aligned with God’s Word. Some have taken Mary’s role at the wedding in Cana to mean that she holds special authority or power to influence Jesus or to intercede in ways that others cannot. However, this passage, when read carefully, teaches the exact opposite. Jesus’ response to Mary shows that His actions are not directed by human influence, not even by His mother. His mission was given to Him by the Father, and everything He did was in obedience to the Father’s will, not to please people or to follow human expectations. Jesus was gently reminding Mary—and through her, reminding us—that no human being, no matter how honored or blessed, has the right to direct the divine plan of God.
Mary indeed played a very important and unique role in God’s plan. She was chosen to bring the Son of God into the world. A role of immense honor and grace. Her obedience and humility are powerful examples of faith. When the angel told her she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, she answered, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This shows her total surrender to God’s will. Yet, while she was chosen and favored, her role was to deliver the Savior into the world, not to guide or direct His divine mission. After Jesus’ birth, her purpose was fulfilled in that calling, and from that point on, she, like everyone else, was called to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.
John 1:13 makes this truth clear: “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
This verse teaches that spiritual life and salvation come only from God’s will, not from human effort, lineage, or connection. In the same way, Jesus’ birth and purpose were entirely the result of God’s divine plan, not human will or desire. Mary was not the source of His divine nature, she was the vessel God used. The power of the Holy Spirit brought about the incarnation. Mary simply believed and obeyed. This shows that while God used her mightily, she did not share in Christ’s divinity, nor did she have authority over Him.
Mary was blessed and chosen, but she was still human. She needed grace and salvation just like everyone else. Later in Scripture, we see that she remained among the believers who followed Jesus in faith and prayer
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:14
Mary, the mother of Jesus, sat among His disciples, worshiping Him as Lord. She fully understood her purpose and never thought of herself as someone to be exalted or treated differently. She was simply a humble servant, willing to be used by God for His glory alone. Just like us, who desires to follow the LORD Jesus will and bring honor to His name.
The key lesson here is that our faith must always be centered on Jesus alone. We honor Mary for her obedience and faith, but we worship only the LORD Jesus Christ. He alone is our Savior, our Mediator, and our LORD. The Bible says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Any belief or teaching that gives Mary or any other person a role equal to or above that of Jesus is not in line with God’s Word. True faith exalts Jesus alone, trusts His timing, and submits fully to the will of the Father, just as Mary herself did.
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