The Miracle of the Wine at Cana : An Exegetical Analysis of the First Readers' Understanding of John 2:1–11 in the Light of Dionysian Cult

Scholars have debated historical connections between Jesus and Dionysus and have attempted to examine how these were shaped in the history of reception. This essay aims to create a description of the biblical wine miracle in Cana and highlight relevant wine-related elements in John 2:1–11, which can be compared to Dionysian cult. The main question aims to investigate whether the first readers of the Gospel of John have interpreted the text in light of their previous knowledge and understanding of Dionysian cult, as well as its wine-related elements, which may have existed in their environment. In order to answer the problem question, the author of this essay has conducted a comparative exploratory interdisciplinary hermeneutic text analysis. The essay shows that it is probable that the first readers of the Gospel of John, the miracle of wine at Cana John 2:1–11, may have interpreted the text against the background of Dionysian cult and its wine-related elements. This is evident primarily from how Jesus’ believers in Ephesus interpret wine festivals with Dionysian wine-related elements. Most Jesus’ believers are believed to have been negative towards these wine festivals in the light of Jesus' negative and condemnatory view of festivals in the Gospel of John. Jesus' miracle of wine at Cana differs from the miracle of Dionysus. There are similarities here at a quick glance, which then in a deeper analysis do not prove to be consistent. The greatest similarity is that both wine miracles point to a divine influence in presenting wine to be drunk by the people. The wine miracle in Ellis is similar to that in John 2:1–11, but it is not expressed that there is any transformation of water into wine, and that servants do not have the same important role in the wine miracle. The biggest difference is that Jesus' miracle of wine in Cana is done by the servants helping Jesus in the miracle of wine, while Dionysus often appears alone. Furthermore, Jesus' miracle of wine is based on a transformation of water into wine, which is not found in the same way with Dionysus. Dionysus fills springs with wine so that wine comes out of the ground, or it can be springs of water that become wine. Jesus' miracle of wine happens internally with the servants and disciples - they come to faith, follow Jesus' instructions and understand the message with this first sign from Jesus. Dionysus' miracle of wine is a divine gift to the people - he teaches them to grow vines and to produce wine. Even the Dionysian cult exhibits an internal process where the miracle of wine happens in the maenads' world of ideas and feelings. When Dionysus enters their minds, when they see how the wine flows out of the ground.