” What he DIDN’T say:
“Wow, don’t sweat it, I was only using a figure of speech”
He didn’t need to. Nor did he need to explain that he was not literally a vine:
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. “ - John 15
He also never said he was joking about being the gate:
“I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” - John 10
That does not preclude Mary as the path to the Gate. Remember, the faith Mary displayed at the Wedding of Cana, and her words “Do what ever He tells you.”