Wine is the symbolical sacramental emblem of the New Covenant representing the spilled blood of the Messiah at Calvary. This story, coming at the beginning of the ministry, could well be a prophecy of what was to conclude the ministry, crucifixion and death. Water was used by the Jews for ritual washing before meals; though it could wash away dirt from the body, it could not wash away sin from the soul. To be effective in spiritual regeneration, it had to be turned into wine, the symbol of the blood of the Lamb which could wash away sin. Aptly, the water was contained in six stone jars. Many commentators believe there is no symbolic significance in the presence of six jars, suggesting there were six persons at the wedding. This is unlikely when one considers that those present were Yah'shua (Jesus), Mary, the Bridegroom, the Bride, the Toastmaster, and several disciples. Six is the biblical number for man, or imperfection; it is used to represent Satan in John's Apocalypse - 666 - imperfect man is an unholy trinity. Thus the six stone jars stand for the Law (Torah) as given through Moses which are converted into jars of wine in abundance, symbolising also the abundance of Christ's gift (assuming He changed all the water into wine; some commentators suggest the water was changed into wine only as it was being served out).

The steward (or toastmaster) is used by John in a piece of prophetic irony when he declares to the bridegroom: "Every many serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now". The ignorance of the steward is clear - he does not understand that the good wine, reserved to the end, is symbolic of eternal life which Yahweh keeps to the end for those who are true and faithful. But the servants know, through their faith and obedience to the Master, and so they see more; the wise and prudent are blind whereas the humble and contrite see with their spiritual eyes.

The significance and symbolism of the miracle is therefore clear - it is an introduction to the true Bridegroom and a prophecy of the end, which is even more significant when one considers that Christ, the revelation of Elohim (God) in man, is called the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, the Alef and the Tav. Thus the story gets across the eternal nature of Christ, which is the whole purpose of John's gospel, bearing witness that Yah'shua (Jesus) of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of Elohim (God).