John 2:6
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Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
firkins--about seven and a half gallons in Jewish, or nine in Attic measure; each of these huge water jars, therefore, holding some twenty or more gallons, for washings at such feasts (Mar 7:4).
Open source ↗In the close of the foregoing chapter we had an account of the first disciples whom Jesus called, Andrew and Peter, Philip and Nathanael. These were the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb, Rev 14:4. Now, in this chapter, we have, I. The account of the first miracle which Jesus wrought - turning water into wine, at Cana of Galilee (Joh 2:1-11), and his appearing at Capernaum (Joh 2:12). II. The account of the first passover he kept at Jerusalem after he began his public ministry; his driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple (Joh 2:13-17); and the sign he gave to those who quarrelled with him for it (Joh 2:18-22), with an account of some almost believers, that followed him, thereupon, for some time (Joh 2:23-25), but he knew them too well to put any confidence in them.
Open source ↗2:6 Carved from solid rock, the stone water jars were used for religious washing ceremonies (see Mark 7:1-4). Jesus was about to fill Jewish ceremony with new content.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing.
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,
instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.