ACC ~ John 2 v7

THE KING POURS HIS WINE FOR THE GUESTS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN:

Let Cana thank you for gladdening her banquet!

The bridegroom’s crown exalted you for exalting it,

And the bride’s crown belonged to your victory.

In her mirror allegories are expounded and traced,

For you portrayed your church in the bride,

And in her guests, yours are traced,

And in her magnificence she portrays your advent.

Let the feast thank him, for in multiplying his wine

Six miracles were beheld there:

The six wine jugs set aside for water

Into which they invited the King to pour his wine.

HYMNS ON VIRGINITY 33.1-2.[1]

THE WINE OF CHRIST FROM THE WATER OF THE LAW AND PROPHETS

AUGUSTINE: When these words of the Gospel, which are certainly clear, are understood, all those mysteries that lie hidden in this miracle of the Lord will be opened…. He omitted none of the ancient Scriptures, that is, the water, and for that reason they were called senseless by the Lord because they still tasted water, not wine. But how did he make wine from water? When he opened their understanding to them and explained the Scriptures to them, beginning with Moses through all the prophets. Now, intoxicated by this, they said, “Was not our heart burning on the road when he opened to us the Scriptures?” [1] For they understood Christ in these books in which they had not known him.

Therefore our Lord, Jesus Christ, changed water into wine; and what was tasteless acquires taste, what was not intoxicating intoxicates. For if he has ordered the water poured out of them and so himself put in wine from the secret hollows of creation from which he also created the bread when he satisfied so many thousands… thus he could have also, after the water had been poured out, poured in wine. But if he had done this, he would have seemed to have repudiated the old Scripture.

But when he turned the water itself into wine, he showed us that the ancient Scripture comes from him too; for by his order the jars were filled. This Scripture, too, is indeed from the Lord. But it has no taste if Christ is not understood in it. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9.5.1-3. [2]

[1] Lk 24:32.

[2] FC 78:198-99*. For a similar interpretation, see Caesarius of Arles Sermon 168.4 (FC 47:410-11).

THE TRANSFORMATION TESTIFIES TO THE CREATOR

MAXIMUS OF TURIN: Addressing the expectant servants, he said, “Fill the jars with water.” The servants promptly obeyed, and suddenly in a marvelous way the water began to acquire potency, take on color, emit fragrance and gain flavor—all at once it changed its nature completely! Now this transformation of the water from its own substance into another testified to the powerful presence of the Creator. Only he who had made it out of nothing could change water into something whose use was quite different. Dearly beloved, have no doubt that he who changed water into wine is the same as he who from the beginning has thickened it into snow and hardened it into ice. It is he who changed it into blood for the Egyptians and bade it flow from the dry rock for the thirsty Hebrews—the rock that, newly transformed into a spring, was like a mother’s breast refreshing with its gentle flow a countless multitude of people. SERMON 23. [1]

“UP TO THE BRIM”

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He did not add “up to the brim” without reason, but so that the suspicion might not arise that if there had only been a little bit of water, the wine had been mixed [with it] and that he, by cheating their taste, had just simulated the change of the water into wine. Those who drew the wine [from the jars] also distributed it. [2] COMMENTARY ON JOHN 1.2.6-7. [3]

[1] PL 57:275-76. See also Irenaeus Against Heresies 3.11.5.

[2] Another proof that there was no deception on Jesus’ part.

[3] CSCO 4 3:57.

[1]ESH 407-8.