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Head-Waiter and Bridegroom of the Wedding at Cana: Structure and Meaning of John 2.1-12

Catholic University of Eastern Africa, PO Box 62157, Nairobi, Kenya jbmatand{at}yahoo.fr

This study of the account of the wedding at Cana in Jn 2.1-12 was prompted by reactions to the manner in which Jesus addresses his mother as `Woman'. The literary structure of the pericope is analysed, and the roles of Jesus and his mother compared and contrasted with those of the bridegroom and head-waiter respectively. It is argued that Jesus is the true bridegroom and his mother the true head-waiter in this story, reflecting their status and roles in the divine dispensation. The connotations of `woman' need to be understood in their cultural context, and approximate those of `mother', the term of respect with which many African people address women in their societies.

Key Words: Head-waiter • bridegroom • literary structure • mother • Mary • Jesus

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