3 BASIC MODES OF MARRIAGES BECOMING OFFICIAL:

NOTICE: In each of the above instances, witnesses were necessary for verification.

The latter method eventually became condemned by the religious authorities, and those who continued its practice were punished by flogging.

Subsequently, a simple contract evolved: "I will work for you, I will honor you, I will support you, as is seeming for a Jewish husband. For you, I will take the shirt off my back."

A year's separation followed betrothal to allow the bride time to prepare her trousseau without fear of losing her fiancee. Gifts were exchanged in this interim: he giving her, for example, a ring, and she making and giving him a tallit, or kittel, to be worn on the days of Awe and later to serve as his death garment. This signified their love unto death.

A celebration, or wedding feast, was given, usually lasting from one to seven days. This tradition has its roots in Jacob's week given to Rachel. A governor was appointed to oversee the voluminous details and discharge of the multiplicity of functions of the feast, usually a close friend or family member. Despite the fact that Mary showed concern for one detail of this wedding, likely this was not her position, however, it is possible that she was a family friend, since Nazareth was only four miles away. Dancing and gaiety with wine being served was common. And though this wine (oinois = the intoxicating kind) was capable of producing intoxication, it is by no means meant that this party became drunkards, for Jewish Law strictly forbid such action. Nor are we to assume that Jesus associated with such licentious behavior.

The modern custom of the groom not seeing the bride on the wedding day was not then practiced. On the contrary, the groom was to see her before the ceremony, and then he would cover her face with the veil. This practice evolved from olden times as a result of Jacob being deceived by Laban.

The actual wedding was in most part purely civil, with little religious significance. Today, all 3 forms of marriage customs are usually incorporated into the marriage process: (1) the monetary gift being signified by the ring (the Jew did not have a double-ring ceremony), (2) the parchment signified by the marriage contract signed and registered with state authorities, and (3) the consummation, thus sealing the marriage vows. (Marriages may even be annulled on the grounds they were never consummated.)

A small village in Galilee 3-4 miles NNE of Nazareth, due west of the Sea of Galilee, some 20 miles half way between the Med. Sea and Galilee.

Mentioned as Cana only in John (4 times):

How Mary, and subsequently Jesus and His disciples, came to be invited to this wedding in Cana, we do not know. In all likelihood, since this was a small village and Nathanael was from here, he was an acquaintance of this family. And, since Nazareth was only a short distance away, it is assumed by some that Mary may have been an associate as well. One should be careful here not to extrapolate that Nathanael and Jesus had met on prior occasions. If Mary knew the family, and consequently knew Nathanael, there is a possibility that Nathanael and Jesus had previous occasion to meet, due to the length of time Jesus worked as a carpenter in Nazareth before recently entering His public ministry. However, this seems unlikely because of the implications of the preceding verses (rival cities and Nathanael's apparent unfamiliarity with Jesus at their meeting). Therefore, these were likely close associates of Nathanael.

As seen in our Timeline, this event at the outset of Jesus' ministry came shortly after His baptism and 40 days of temptations, which likely occurred in the fall of A.D. 26. If so, Pilate has been Procurator of Judea and Samaria for only one year. The original sedition that occurred under Judas the Galilean in response to the taxation of A.D. 6 has already risen and fallen with his death and that of his sons.

The region is again at peace with Rome, but festering beneath the cultural climate of this time are the flames that will soon bring Rome to end this tiny Jewish state. Nerves were raw and rumors abounded of the many possible messiahs who were appearing. Zealots continued their acts of occasional terrorism, assassinating people at will in the crowded Jerusalem streets to further their political agenda.

How would this Messiah and His band of followers be different from those cut-throats who already roamed the countryside? One has only to listen to His words and match them to His works to know. He will not hide His mission, nor does He have any hidden personal or political agenda. His ministry will be public so as not to be seen guilty of such a seditious charge that will later be falsely brought against Him for His condemnation and crucifixion. He will use this for His defense. Thus, He chooses a most public event to begin.