John 2:3

Weddings in the ancient East typically lasted several days and often a whole week. [Note: See Edwin Yamauchi, "Cultural Aspects of Marriage in the Ancient World," Bibliotheca Sacra 135:539 (July-September 1978):241-52.]

"To fail to provide adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely knit communities of Jesus’ day, such an error would never be forgotten and would haunt the newly married couple all their lives." [Note: Tenney, "John," p. 42.]

The loss would not only have been shame and social disgrace, however, but also financial since grooms had a legal responsibility in that culture to provide a suitable feast for their guests.

"Our bridegroom stood to lose financially-say, up to about half the value of the presents Jesus and his party ought to have brought." [Note: J. D. M. Derrett, Law in the New Testament, p. 238.]

Mary undoubtedly told Jesus about the situation because she knew that He would do whatever He could to solve the problem. As a compassionate person He would try to help the groom, who was responsible for the food and drink (John 2:9), to avoid unnecessary embarrassment. Clearly Mary expected Jesus to do something (John 2:5). Evidently Jesus had done no miracles before this incident (John 2:11). Consequently it seems far-fetched to suppose that she expected Him to perform a miracle. Mary knew that Jesus was the Messiah, and she apparently wanted Him to do something that would show who He was to everyone present. The wine normally drunk in Palestine at this time was fermented grape juice diluted with water. [Note: See Robert Stein, "Wine-Drinking in New Testament Times," Christianity Today 19:19 (June 20, 1975):9-11; and Norman Geisler, "A Christian Perspective on Wine-Drinking," Bibliotheca Sacra 139:553 (January-March 1982):46-56.]