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The first miracle. When the wine runs out at a wedding feast in Cana, Mary tells Jesus to find a solution. Jesus (at left, with his mother) comes to the rescue of the happy couple (center) by directing the servants to fill six stone jars with water, as shown in this painting (c. 1672) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in the Barber Institute in Birmingham, England. Jesus then instructs the servants to pour a glass for the chief steward, who compliments the bridegroom on having saved the best wine for last.

About the miracle at Cana, John writes, “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11). Only the Gospel of John recounts this tale. Indeed, about half the stories told by John do not appear in Matthew, Mark or Luke.