John 2:9-10

John’s point in recording the headwaiter’s comments as he did seems to have been to stress the superior quality of the wine that Jesus produced for the guests. Jesus, as the Creator, produced the best, as He always does whenever He creates. Jesus’ immediate creation of wine, which normally takes time to ferment, may parallel God’s creation of the universe with the appearance of age. [Note: Bailey, p. 162.] "Drunk freely" (NASB) and "had too much to drink" (NIV) translate the Greek word methysko that refers to inebriation. The fact that Jesus created something that people could abuse should not surprise us. Humans have consistently abused God’s good gifts. Fortunately that does not keep God from giving them or make Him responsible for our abuse of them.

Is there a deeper meaning to this story? Many students of this passage have identified the wine as symbolic of the joy that Messiah brings. This harmonizes with the metaphorical use of wine throughout Scripture. Some have seen it as typical of Christianity as contrasted with Judaism (the water). [Note: E.g., Blum, p. 278.] These parallels lack Scriptural support. Perhaps there is some validity to seeing this banquet as a preview of the messianic banquet since Jesus’ provision of joy is common to them both. However, Jesus may not have been the host at this banquet, but He will be the host at the messianic banquet.