The purpose of this first sign, at Cana in Galilee, was to witness the Jesus' divine authority to those whose eyes were being opened spiritually, i.e. his new disciples (2:11). The disciples saw his glory in this sign and their belief in him was strengthened but the guests at the wedding did not know what had happened (2:8-10). That Jesus' mother had already recognized her son's power is indicated in 2:3 but Jesus' reply showed that the time for his glorification had not yet come although this first sign is a prophetic symbol of it. All that he did must be in complete accordance with the will of God his Father (7:8,7:30,12:27,13:1,17:1).

The first sign may be interpreted symbolically in various ways. The wedding feast may symbolize the heavenly feast which represents the joy of the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 55:1-3, Luke 14:15) and the wine symbolizes the Good News. The new wine of the Gospel, poured out with the utmost generosity, replaces the 'water' of Judaism. Jesus may be understood as the 'spiritual bridegroom' at the wedding whose bride will be the Church (3:29, Ephesians 5:25-27), the first members of whom are seen in the disciples. The new wine could not be contained in the traditional wineskins but had to be put in different containers (Mark 2:22). Whatever symbolism is seen in this first sign, it points towards great new things; both the disciples and the readers are being prepared for greater revelations of Jesus' glory and authority. With this sign, the public ministry of Jesus began.