William Burkitt's Expository Notes

John 2:3

This want of wine was probably so disposed by the providence of God, to give our Saviour an opportunity to manifest his divine power in working. miracle to supply it.

Observe here, 1. How the Virgin enquires into the family's wants, and then makes them known to Christ.

Learn hence, That it is an argument of piety, and an evidence of Christian love, to enquire into the wants, and to recommend the necessities of others to Christ's care and consideration; whose bounty and munificence can readily and abundantly supply them.

Thus far the Virgin's action was good: she laid open the case to Christ; They have no wine. but Christ, who discerned the thoughts of Mary's heart, finds her guilty of presumption; she thought by her motherly authority, she might have expected, if not commanded,. miracle from him: whereas Christ was subject to her as. man during his private life: but now being entered upon his office. mediator, as God-man, he gives her to understand she had no power over him, nor any motherly authority in the business of his public office; therefore he says to her, Woman, what have. to do with thee?. He that charges his angels with folly, will not be taught when and how to act by poor crawling dust and ashes.

Observe therefore, 2. Christ calls the Virgin, Woman, not Mother; but this was not out of any contempt, but to prevent her being thought more than. woman, above or beyond. woman, having brought forth the Son of God. Woman, says Christ; not Goddess, as the Papists would make her, and proclaim her free from sin, even from venial sin; but Christ's reproving her shows that she was not faultless.

Observe, 3. Christ would not bear with the Virgin's commanding on earth, will he them endure her intercession in heaven? Must she not meddle with matters appertaining to his office here below, and will it be endured by Christ, or endeavoured by her, to interpose, in the work of mediation above? No, no; were it possible for her so far to forget herself in heaven, she would receive the answer from Christ which she had on earth, Woman, what have. to do with thee? or thou with me, in my mediatorial office? But instead of this, she returns answer from heaven to her idolatrous petitioners here on earth, "What have. to do with thee? Get you to my Son, go you to Christ, he that was the Mediator of redemption; he, and only he, continues the Mediator of intercession."

O how foolish, as well as impious, is it to think, that she who had not so much power as to direct the working of one miracle on earth, should have now lodged in her hands all the power of heaven!

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

John 2:3

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