At the wedding in Cana, Mary says to Jesus, \u201cThey have no wine.\u201d He replies, \u201cWhat have I to do with you, woman? My hour has not yet come\u201d (John 2:4).<\/b> On the surface, it sounds like a refusal. But in context\u2014it is something deeper.<\/p>\nWhat does \u201cWhat have I to do with you\u201d mean?<\/h2>\n
The Greek phrase ti emoi kai soi<\/i> \u2014 is a literal translation of the Hebrew idiomatic expression mah li valach<\/i>. It appears in the Old Testament (for example, 2 Sam. 16:10; 1 Kings 17:18). Its meaning is: \u201cWhy are you bringing this matter to Me?\u201d<\/b> or \u201cWhy are you appealing to me in this?\u201d\u2014an expression of distance between two wills, not a refusal.<\/p>\n\u201cWoman\u201d\u2014not rudeness<\/h2>\n
The address gynai<\/i> (woman) is a respectful form of address, not a dismissive one. Jesus also used it from the cross when He entrusted Mary to the disciple (John 19:26). It meant: \u201cwoman\u201d\u2014respectfully, but without emphasizing a personal relationship at that moment.<\/b><\/p>\n\u201cMy hour has not yet come\u201d<\/h2>\n
\u201cHour\u201d in the Gospel of John refers to the time of the Crucifixion and glorification. Jesus is, in effect, saying: \u201cYou are speaking of a sign\u2014but the path to glory leads through the cross. You do not yet know what you are asking.\u201d<\/p>\n