Citation: John 2:1-11 Setting: Wedding at Cana of Galilee, third day after John 1's calling-of-disciples narrative. Mary, Jesus, and Jesus's disciples are guests.
Narrative
Wine runs out. Mary informs Jesus: "They have no wine." Jesus: "Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come." Mary tells servants: "Whatever he says to you, do it." Six stone water jars (Jewish purification vessels) hold 2-3 measures each (~20-30 gallons each, ~120-180 gallons total). Jesus has them filled to the brim with water. "Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast." Master of feast tastes; doesn't know its origin; calls bridegroom: "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!"
John: "This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
Theological significance
First sign (σημεῖον sēmeion), opens the seven-sign sequence of John. The miracle "reveals his glory" + leads disciples to believe.
OT-Messianic-banquet imagery, abundant wine is OT symbol for the Messianic age (Isaiah 25:6; Joel.3.18; Amos.9.13). Jesus's ministry inaugurates the eschatological banquet.
Purification-jars symbolism, Jewish purification water is transformed into wedding wine. Old-covenant ritual material becomes new-covenant celebration material. Old transformed into new in ways that bear continuing meaning.
Mary's intercessor moment, Mary turns to Jesus despite his "my hour has not yet come" reply. Catholic Mariology + various Protestant readings make different uses of this dynamic.
Quantity + quality, 120-180 gallons is far more wine than a small village wedding would need; the master's "you kept the good wine until now" reverses normal banquet practice. Both quantity + quality are sign-content.