When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
Discussion:
The ruler or governor of the feast represents, according to Swedenborg, basic principles of what it is to be good, the foundational ideas that guide people’s lives. “Taste” represents the affection for knowing, the delight we feel in knowing new things. The idea of “whence” or where something came from represents its spiritual origins.
To “call” someone generally means to seek spiritual conjunction, and a bridegroom usually represents the Lord, especially in terms of divine love and divine goodness.
This verse, then, shows the reaction when those receptive to the Lord had the spiritual ideas represented by the wine shine new light on their basic assumptions about being good in life. In short, it was astonishing and exciting, so much so that they turned to the Lord, seeking conjunction.
It’s interesting, though, that the verse specifically mentions that the servants knew where the wine came from while the governor did not. This shows that while people’s external minds might have been impressed by the miracle (the fact that the new spiritual truth had come from the old ideas and teachings represented by the water in the waterpots), on a deeper level -- the level represented by the governor -- they were more impressed by the quality of the spiritual truth itself. The governor didn’t know the wine was miraculous, but was amazed simply by its quality.
This verse is not addressed directly in Swedenborg.
John 2:1-11
Verse 1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
Verse 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Verse 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Verse 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Verse 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Verse 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Verse 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
Verse 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Verse 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
Verse 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Verse 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.