Why John dates Cana to 'the third day.'

'The third day' caps a seven-day opening that mirrors Genesis: John begins 'In the beginning' like Genesis 1:1, then counts 'the next day' three times (1:29, 35, 43) and 'the third day' (2:1) — four days plus three, a week that ends with a wedding, as the creation week ended with the union of the first man and woman. Pitre says two questions demand attention at Cana: why 'the third day,' and why Jesus calls his mother 'Woman' (p 28).

• John 2:1 — 'on the third day'… 'Woman, what is this to you and to me?'
• John 1:19 — the days counted: 1:19, 29, 35, 43, then 2:1.
• John 2:5 — 'Do whatever he tells you' — Mary's last recorded words.

John's 'third day' sits inside a seven-day opening that echoes Genesis 1 ('In the beginning'). Pitre reads Cana as a new-creation scene where the New Eve ('Woman') reappears and points everyone to her Son.