John 2:6

Verse

Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.

American Standard Version (1901)

Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Bible in Basic English

Now six pots of stone, every one taking two or three firkins of water, were placed there for the purpose of washing, as is the way of the Jews.

Free Bible Version

Standing nearby were six stone jars used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each one holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Geneva Bible 1599

And there were set there, sixe waterpots of stone, after the maner of the purifying of the Iewes, conteining two or three firkins a piece.

King James (Authorized) Version

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

One Unity Resource Bible

Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Judean [Person from Praise] way of purifying, containing two to three metretes [20 to 30 gal; 37.85 to 75.7 L] for each pot, [a total of 1,200 to 1,800 gal; 188.7 to 315 L].

Plain English Version

In that place there were 6 stone pots for water. The Jewish people used those pots for their washing ceremonies. Each pot held about 100 litres of water.

Translation for Translators

There were six empty stone jars there. The Jews habitually put water in them to use for washing things to make them acceptable to God. Each jar held ◄20 to 30 gallons/80 to 120 liters►.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now there were six stone water pots there used for the Jewish ceremonial washing, each containing two to three metretes.

Noah Webster Bible

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

World English Bible

Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.

Young's Literal Translation

And there were there six water-jugs of stone, placed according to the purifying of the Jews, holding each two or three measures.

Context

The Wedding at Cana

⁵His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” ⁶Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. ⁷Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.

Sermons

Milton Green - 10

Milton Green

1.1K

The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power

Newman Sze

820

Day 199, John 2

David Servant

Summary

In this verse, Jesus performs His first miracle at the wedding in Cana by turning water into wine. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' divine power and authority over nature, revealing His ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. It also symbolizes the abundance and joy that Jesus brings into the lives of His followers, foreshadowing the spiritual blessings and new life He offers through His sacrificial death and resurrection. The obedience of the servants in filling the jars with water before the miracle serves as a lesson in faith and trust, showing the importance of following Jesus' instructions even when they may seem unconventional or challenging.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

After the manner of the purifying of the Jews - Or, for the purpose of the purifying of the Jews. The preposition κατα, which I have translated, for the purpose, often denotes in the best Greek writers the final cause of a thing. See several examples produced by Raphelius, from Arrian and Herodotus. These six vessels were set in a convenient place, for the purpose of the Jews washing their hands before they sat down to meat, and probably for other purposes of purification. See this custom referred to in Mat 15:2 (note). As to the number six, we need seek for no mystery in it; the number of pots was proportioned to the number of the guests. Containing two or three firkins apiece - Measures or metretes, μετρητας. Bishop Cumberland supposes that the Syrian metretes is here meant, which he computes to have held seven pints and one eighth of a pint; and, if this computation be right, the whole six water pots might have contained about fourteen gallons and a quart. Others make each metretes to contain ten gallons and two pints: see Arbuthnot. But the contents of the measures of the ancients are so very uncertain that it is best, in this and numberless other cases, to attempt to determine nothing.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And there were set six water pots of stone,.... To distinguish them from other vessels made of different matter: for the Jews had "vessels made of dust, and the dung of beasts, , "vessels of stone", vessels of earth, vessels made of shells, vessels of nitre, vessels made of the bones and skins of fishes (t).'' And as these vessels were very likely for washing of hands, such were used for that purpose: their rule is (u), "they may put water for the hands in all sorts of vessels; in vessels of dung, in stone vessels, and in vessels of earth.'' At a wedding were set vessels of various sizes to wash hands and feet in; there was one vessel called which the gloss says was a large pitcher, or basin, out of which the whole company washed their hands and their feet; and there was another called which was a lesser and beautiful basin, which was set alone for the more honourable persons, as for the bride, and for any gentlewoman (w); and such might be these six stone jars, or pots: after the manner of the purifying of the Jews; or "for the purifying either Jews", as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it; that is, for the washing of them, their hands and feet, and their vessels, pots, and cups, according to the traditions of the elders; see Mar 7:2; containing two or three firkins apiece. The Ethiopic version reads, "some held two measures, and some three"; how large the "metreta", or "measure" was, which we render a "firkin", is not certain; it is most likely it answered to the "Hebrew bath", which was a common measure of liquids with the Jews, and held four gallons and a half, or more; See Gill on Luk 16:6; so that such of these vessels, that held two of these measures, contained nine gallons, and such as held three of them, thirteen gallons and a half; and six of these contained a large quantity of wine, one with another: and which makes the following miracle the greater; and shows the liberality of Christ the more, in providing for the following days of the feast, for a marriage was kept seven days (x); and for the family, some time after it was over. (t) Misn. Celim, c. 10. sect. 1. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. (u) Misn. Yadaim, c. 1. sect. 2. (w) Gloss in T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 77. 2. (x) Maimon. Hilchot Ishot, c. 10. sect. 12, 13.

John 2:6

The Wedding at Cana

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.

American Standard Version (1901)

Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Bible in Basic English

Now six pots of stone, every one taking two or three firkins of water, were placed there for the purpose of washing, as is the way of the Jews.

Free Bible Version

Standing nearby were six stone jars used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each one holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Geneva Bible 1599

And there were set there, sixe waterpots of stone, after the maner of the purifying of the Iewes, conteining two or three firkins a piece.

King James (Authorized) Version

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

One Unity Resource Bible

Plain English Version

In that place there were 6 stone pots for water. The Jewish people used those pots for their washing ceremonies. Each pot held about 100 litres of water.

Translation for Translators

There were six empty stone jars there. The Jews habitually put water in them to use for washing things to make them acceptable to God. Each jar held ◄20 to 30 gallons/80 to 120 liters►.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now there were six stone water pots there used for the Jewish ceremonial washing, each containing two to three metretes.

Noah Webster Bible

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

World English Bible

Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.

Young's Literal Translation

And there were there six water-jugs of stone, placed according to the purifying of the Jews, holding each two or three measures.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

John 2:6

Verse

Context

The Wedding at Cana

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

John 2:6

The Wedding at Cana

Milton Green - 10

The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power

Day 199, John 2

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes