1 Kings 17:18 and John 2:4

Jesus is more or less "forced" to do a miracle by his mother at a wedding. He is quoted as saying, "What do I have to do with you, woman?" In Greek it says, "What is me to you?" That is some kind of idiomatic expression and it does not mean anything literally. Now Jesus did not speak Greek. His words were translated. So there is a good chance the Greek is an attempt to get an Aramaic expression as close as possible.

So I came upon 1 Kings 17:18. The situation is a bit opposite but the expression is about the same. Again it is about a "forced" miracle. Only the man of God, Elijah is not the one who said the expression. However I think Jesus, who knew all things, was aware of Elijah when he addressed his mother.

The widow say to Elijah, "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance, and to put my son to death!"

In a sense the woman demands a sign. But the son of a widow is her only chance to live well. When he is an adult he will likely be able to take care of her by working. He can take over her ancestral lands. He will be a legal person and can protect her rights. He is her hope to take the place of her dead husband. Since she has been obedient to God and taken in the man of God. She showed great faith. She had a point and Elijah knew it.

That expression only slightly mean something in English. I guess you can say it is poetic, it makes you think. I like that.

Jesus' first miracle was brought on by the faith of his mom. She knew he could do it. After his protest that "my hour has not come" she orders the servants to do whatever he tells them.

This is Elijah's first, well OK second miracle. His first was to make her food and oil not run out for over three years. So when her son dies she knows he can do this thing. She has the faith that he can do or rather God can do it through him. I'm not sure Elijah is quite as sure. But he knows she is right. He appeals to God that this will bring Him glory. To now save her son after saving her from death for three years would be shameful.

The widow sort of forces the miracle too. Well she appeals to him in no uncertain terms. She demands it of him.

Perhaps someone else can see other parallels. I do believe Jesus was aware of Elijah's story when he said the words. When thrust into a surprising situation I rarely say anything coherent. But Jesus knew his role in God's universe. He was excellent on his feet in spontaneous situations.

What do you think?