What does John 2:8 mean?

Here again, we see Jesus asking people to participate in His miracles. God has all power, but He frequently asks us to do something as a way of contributing to His work. We are expected to be active in our faith, not passive, even though the results are entirely up to God. Here, Jesus acts in response to a need (John 2:3) through the work of servants (John 2:5–7).

This account lacks any sense of showmanship. There is no hocus-pocus, incantations, or other fireworks. This is important for two reasons. First, true miracles are not for entertainment. They send a message from God, or about God. Many of the false miracles attributed to Jesus' youth (John 2:11) are frivolous or flashy, with no apparent purpose. Second, Jesus' power comes from His own divine nature. He is not conjuring other spirits. Nor is he tapping into some arcane system. What Jesus does is not "magic"—it's a miracle.

The headwaiter, or chief servant, was the one in charge of overseeing all the wedding arrangements. The Bible doesn't mention whether he knew that the wine had run out; it's safe to assume that he did. This helps to explain his surprise at the excellent quality of the wine (John 2:10).