messianic bridegroom. As such, he will supply all the ‘wine’ that is needed for the messianic banquet, but his hour has not yet come. As this story unfolds, he graciously makes good the deficiencies of the unknown bridegroom of John 2, in anticipation of the perfect way he himself will fill the role of the messianic bridegroom.11 2:5. In saying to the servants, Do whatever he tells you, Jesus’ mother shakes off the gentle rebuke and exemplifies the best kind of persevering faith. Like the Canaanite