When the feast of tabernacles was nigh, a certain rich man invited Jesus with his disciples and his mother to a marriage. Jesus therefore went, and as they were feasting the wine ran short. His mother accosted Jesus, saying: ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus answered: ‘What is that to me, mother mine?’ His mother commanded the servants that whatever Jesus should command
them they should obey. There were there six vessels for water according to the custom of Israel to purify themselves for prayer. Jesus said: ‘Fill these vessels with water.’ The servants did so. Jesus said unto them: ‘In the name of God, give to drink unto them that are feasting.’ The servants thereupon bare
unto the master of the ceremonies, who rebuked the attendants saying: ‘O worthless servants why have ye kept the better wine till now?’ For he knew nothing of all that Jesus had done.

     The servants answered: ‘O sir, there is here a holy man of God, for he hath made of water, wine.’ The master of the ceremonies thought that the servants were drunken; but they that were sitting near to Jesus, having seen the whole matter, rose from the table and paid him reverence, saying: ‘Verily thou art an holy one of God, a true prophet sent to us from God!’

     Then his disciples believed on him, and many returned to their heart, saying: ‘Praised be God, who hath mercy upon Israel, and visiteth the house of Judah with love, and blessed be his holy name.’

 

An Islamic Perspective and Commentary

by
Ishaq Zahid

There is an apparent contradiction between this chapter and the following words from the first two chapters:

“and thou shalt keep him from wine and from strong drink and from every unclean meat, because the child is an holy one of God.”

We can argue that while Jesus (peace be on him) did not himself drink wine, he did convert water to wine for the pleasure of others. If he did so, the wine was non-intoxicating and heavenly.  As the Holy Quran tells us,

“(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?” (The Holy Quran, 47:15)

     The wine in the heaven will be not like any wine on earth, for it leaves no headaches behind, and causes no intoxication, which is a kind of madness or poison, but is ever a joy to drink. (see n. 4833, translation and commentary of the Holy Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali).