In The Bible Reader is a footnote for John 2: 1-11, which is quoted here. This version was edited by four scholars: one Roman Catholic, one Jew, one Protestant, and one Christian journalist.

"The miracle at Cana is the first of seven signs by which Jesus shows forth the divinity, and the Church uses the account for the same purpose on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Roman Catholic and Orthodox Catholic writers have also appealed to the account to prove the power of Mary by virtue of her position as Mother of God. These writers, and many others who do not share this view of Mary, explain that Jesus was not rebuking his mother or being unkind to her in what he says in verse 4. They agree generally, that the Greek word translated "woman" here (gune) was a respectful term (as if Jesus said, 'My lady,' whether solemnly or teasingly); but interpretations of the rest of the sentence vary considerably. The Greek says simply: 'What to me and to you, woman?'"

There appears to have been a problem for translators in translating this passage accurately. Questions remain as to its proper interpretation.

Was Jesus rebuking Mary? Although many scholars think not, some of the versions definitely imply that He was. What was His time that has not yet come? Many imply that it means His earthly mission. Others imply that it means when He would come to His glory at the end of His ministry? Did Mary have authority over Jesus? Although He seemed to oppose doing what she wanted, she did not heed Him, and He performed the miracle anyway.

Most of the versions lend credence to the belief that Mary had power over Jesus. However, was that Mary as earthly mother or heavenly mother? If the former, it can be understood why a son would help his mother. If the latter, we become involved in a doctrinal change where a human woman is elevated to a higher level than the human manifestation of Yahweh.

As the reader answers the above questions to his own satisfaction, he should be aware of the implications of those answers. Since there is no autograph for the writings of John, it is not possible to determine what the original write really stated. The use of one version will give the reader one interpretation. The use of several versions will not, in this case, determine the actual meaning. This passage is a good example of what can happen over the centuries to portions of the Bible.