John 2: Women As Partners With the Savior

There are four female references in John chapters 2 and 4. The "beloved disciple" (John) likes to address people (including himself) generically. So at the marriage in Cana "the mother of Jesus" (aka Mary) was there. This generalization becomes a type for all mothers or potential mothers, just like John's reference to himself means that you and I can be beloved disciples, "leaning on Jesus' bosom" (John 13:23) like he did.

The reply of Jesus, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come," might sound a bit disrespectful on the surface, but this response too is a type for ALL women, and implies when His hour is come, there will be many women present and participating! (see Matt. 27:55).

A clue may be in those six stone waterpots "after the manner of the purifying of the Jews" (John 2:6). These waterpots were used in the sacrifice of the red heifer in Numbers 19. The ashes of the heifer, a symbol of virginity, were combined with elements of the Atonement of Jesus Christ--namely scarlet (representing the robe given Him), hyssop (used to give Him vinegar during the crucifixion), and cedarwood (likely the cross). Then running water (living water) was put into the stone pots, and what would come out of the pots was used to ritually purify unclean things. The fact that a female animal was the purifying agent, as opposed to other male sacrificial animals, like the paschal lambs, is interesting. The pots could be considered purifying vessels and recalls the reference to Mary as "a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel" (Alma 7:10).

What do the waterpots produce? In Numbers 19, they yield the "waters of separation" that could purity something ritually unclean. In John 2, they yield wine, representing the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ, who purifies us from all sin and uncleanness.

The story of blood, water, and Spirit continues in John 4 with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well, who is also there to "draw water."

Personal Applications: 

1. Are my garments being cleansed daily to become spotless, pure, and white? (Alma 5:24).

2. I should listen to my wife who predicted our new stake president.