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John 2:1-5 (ANIV)
Jesus Changes Water to Wine
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

DRAWING NOTES:

TIME OF DAY:
Unspecified by the Bible narrative. I have set this scene in the mid afternoon.

LIGHTING NOTES:
The sun (unseen & on the right) is high in the sky, casting shadows to the left of figures & objects.

CHARACTERS PRESENT:
From left to right: Bartholomew/Nathaniel, a servant poring wine into a cup, Jesus, a servant carrying a tray of oranges, Mary the mother of Jesus.

RESEARCH/ADDITIONAL NOTES:
This scene shows Mary the mother of Jesus, talking to her son, telling him the wedding guests have run out of wine. Bartholomew/Nathaniel represents the early disciples who accompanied Jesus to the wedding with his mother.
In the background there are two servants, the nearest one is looking anxious as he has realised that all the wine has run out!

In Bible times, weddings lasted seven days. The host would invite lots of friends, family & distinguished guests, such as prominent teachers like Jesus.

“Third day” here does not refer to the third day of the week, because virgins were married on the fourth day (Wednesday) and widows on the fifth; nor does it seem to fit the count of days in John 1:29, 35, 43. But ancient writers often bracketed off segments of their work by starting and ending on the same note (a practice called inclusio); thus John may use this designation to point toward John 2:19 and link this story (John 2:1-11) with the prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection (see on John 2:4).
[Source: Bible Background Commentary]

Cana of Galilee was a small town/city in the tribe of Asher, Joshua 19:28, and by saying this was Cana of Galilee, the evangelist distinguishes it from another Cana, which was in the tribe of Ephraim, in the Samaritan country. See Joshua 16:8; 17:9.
[Source: Adam Clarke’s Commentary]

“To run out of wine at a wedding was a social faux pas [an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation], that would become the subject of jests for years to come; the host was responsible to provide his guests with adequate wine for the full seven days of the wedding celebration.

The women’s quarters were near the place where the wine was stored; thus Mary learns of the shortage of wine before word reaches Jesus and the other men. Her words probably suggest that he should do something; guests were to help defray the expense of the wedding with their gifts, and it seems that their friend needs some extra gifts now.

‘Woman’ was a respectful address (like “Ma’am”) but hardly customary for one’s mother. Jesus’ statement here establishes polite distance (though “What have I to do with you” is usually a harsh, not a polite, expression in biblical language). Because Jesus’ “hour” in John refers especially to the cross, here Jesus is saying, “Once I begin doing miracles, I begin the road to the cross.”

2:5. Like many Old Testament seekers of God who would not take no for an answer (Genesis 32:26-30; Exodus 33:12-34:9; 1 Kings 18:36-37; 2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6, 9; 2 Kings 4:14-28), Mary acts in confidence that Jesus will hear her entreaty. Ancient Jewish readers, who told stories of miracle workers who insisted that God would send rain, would read Mary’s action as demonstrating strong faith”.
[Source: Bible Background Commentary]

Here is the scene without the figures in the foreground.

John 02 – Wedding at Cana – Scene 01 – No more wine – Background