John 2:4

Woman, what have I to do with thee? S. John alone of all the Evangelists never gives the Virgin's name. Here, as so often, he assumes that his readers know the main points in the Gospel narrative: or it may be part of the reserve which he exhibits with regard to all that nearly concerns himself. Christ's Mother had become his mother (John 19:26-27). He nowhere mentions his brother James.

Treatises have been written to shew that these words do not contain a rebuke; for if Christ here rebukes His Mother, it cannot be maintained that she is immaculate. -Woman" of course implies no rebuke; the Greek might more fairly be rendered -Lady" (comp. John 19:26), At the same time it marks a difference between the Divine Son and the earthly parent: He does not say, -Mother." But -what have I to do with thee?" doesimply rebuke, as is evident from the other passages where the phrase occurs, Jdg 11:12; 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 3:13; Matthew 8:29; Mark 1:24; Luke 8:28. Only in one passage does the meaning seem to vary: in 2 Chronicles 35:21 the question seems to mean -why need we quarrel?" rather than -what have we in common?" But such a meaning, if possible there, would be quite inappropriate here. The further question has been asked, what was she rebuked for?Chrysostom thinks for vanity; she wished to glorify herself through her Son. More probably for interference: He will help, but in His own way, and in His own time. Comp. Luke 2:51.

mine hour The meaning of -My hour" and -His hour" in this Gospel depends in each case on the context. There cannot here be any reference to His death; rather it means His hour for -manifesting forth His glory" (John 2:11) as the Messiah by working miracles. The exact moment was still in the future. Comp. John 7:8, where He for the moment refuses what He soon after does; and John 12:23; John 17:1, which confirm the meaning here given to -hour."