John 2:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers his mother gently but deliberately: his actions now wait on his appointed hour, which has not yet come.
What Does John 2:4 Mean?
The address Woman sounds cold in English, but on Jesus' lips it is courteous and even tender — he uses the same word from the cross when he entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple (John 19:26). The question, literally what to me and to thee, is an old idiom marking a gentle distance: his course is now governed by another claim, the mission given him by his Father.
That claim is his hour — in this Gospel, the appointed time of his suffering, death, and glory. From his first sign onward, Jesus lives toward that hour, measuring every step by the Father's timing rather than human urgency. Yet watch what follows: though the hour has not come, he acts anyway. With God, delay is not denial, and his timing bends low to meet real human need.
John 2:4 in the Original Language
hora (ὥρα), 'hour' -- in this Gospel, the appointed time of Jesus' suffering and glory.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 2:4
What does John 2:4 mean?
Jesus answers his mother gently but deliberately: his actions now wait on his appointed hour, which has not yet come.