One of Mary’s relatives seems to be the bride or bridegroom. Most likely
the relative is her beloved son. The focused reader, who is not lost in the Johannine
proclamation and Christology, but in history wonders why Jesus’ mother is
present. She even has authority and directs the servants. Does Mary have power because
her sin is being married?
Jesus was present; that is clear. His brothers were present but
eventually edited out of the story. They are included only after the narrative
(pericope).
Nathanael was from Cana, according to the one who compiled John 21 and
appended it to the Gospel. Thus, Nathanael could have been present; but he is
not a relative of Jesus. Perhaps he is included among Jesus’ disciples who were
present at the wedding.
One more clue should be stressed. Jesus’ brothers were present and
they were edited out of the account of the wedding. That is clear by the verse
that follows this miracle: “After this (Event), he [Jesus] went down into Capernaum,
he, and his mother, and [his] brothers, and his disciples; and they remained
there not many days.” (John 2:12).
The only proper name left in the Cana Wedding is “Jesus.” The story is
retold so the reader focuses on Jesus. Thus, after editing the Cana Wedding is
like the nature miracles; the spotlight is directly on Jesus and his mother.
All other names are edited out; the spotlight is only on Jesus and also on his
mother. (James H. Charlesworth, The Complete Biography of Jesus from Nazareth,
3 vols. [Princeton: James H. Charlesworth, 2024], 2:45)
