Whatever He Says, Do It!

The account of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana contains a moment that can seem troubling at first glance. Mary tells Jesus that the hosts have run out of wine, and His reply sounds like a rebuke:

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."

- John 2:4

Yet in the next verse Mary tells the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:5). Did Mary simply disregard His words?

A closer reading shows that this is not an act of maternal disrespect, but an act of faith.

Jesus addresses Mary as "Woman" (gynai), which in His culture was a polite, formal term of respect–like "Madam." His statement about His "hour" points to the larger mission of His death, resurrection, and glorification. In other words, His miracles will not be dictated by family ties or social pressure; they will unfold according to God's timing. Mary does not argue or insist. Instead, she turns to the servants and says, "Do whatever He tells you." She accepts His words and trusts Him to act as He sees fit. This is faith in action. She relinquishes control and points others to Him. Remarkably, this is her final recorded statement in Scripture, and it perfectly summarizes the Christian posture toward Christ.

Mary is not modeling disrespect, but discipleship. Her words reflect confidence that Jesus' response–whether immediate or delayed–will be perfect. She is a mother, yes, but more importantly, she is a believer who entrusts the problem to her Lord. Her statement remains a timeless command for all: follow Him without hesitation.