thee sorrowing', the Lord gently told them that these home ties were to

be broken and that He must soon be about His Father's business (Luke

2:48,49). Similarly, on another occasion, when `His brethren and His

mother' sought Him, He answered `Who is my mother, or my

brethren?' (Mark 3:31-35). Again, the expression, `What have I to do

with thee?' may not have sounded so harsh in Mary's ear as in ours,

for it seems to have been a Hebraism, and therefore not to be taken by

us too literally. It was used in 2 Samuel 16:10 and 19:22 by David,

and in 1 Kings 17:18, by the widow to Elijah. It was also used by the

demons who were cast out by the Lord (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24; Luke

4:34). The words were however decisive enough, and indicated that

the Lord had now embarked upon that ministry wherein the Father's

will alone was supreme and which inflexibly led on to the death of the

cross. The words `Mine hour is not yet come' seem to suggest that the

cross was in mind, even at the marriage at Cana. Some have said that,

in the present case, no such solemn association must be read into the

words, but the way in which this saying recurs in this Gospel compels

us to see in this first occurrence, even at a festive marriage scene, the

shadow of the cross. Here are the eight occurrences of this or similar

`Mine hour is not yet come'. Answer to mother's suggestion (2:4).

`My time is not yet come'. Answer to brethren's suggestion (7:6).

`My time is not yet full come'. Reason for secrecy at feast (7:8).

`His hour was not yet come'. Hence, no man laid hands on Him

`His hour was not yet come'. Hence, no man laid hands on Him

`The hour is come'. Greeks seek Him. Death mentioned (12:23).

`Jesus knew that His hour was come'. His departure from the

world spoken of (13:1).

`Father, the hour is come'. The work finished (17:1).

To this list might be added 12:27 and 16:25,32.

Whatever view we may take, it is clear from her caution to the

servants, which immediately follows, that Mary did not feel altogether

set aside: `Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it'.