John 2 · Verse 6

John 2:6

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
John 2:6, King James Version

John 2:6 in other translations

BSBNow six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.
WEBNow there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
ASVNow there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.
YLTAnd there were there six water-jugs of stone, placed according to the purifying of the Jews, holding each two or three measures.
DARBYNow there were standing there six stone water-vessels, according to the purification of the Jews, holding two or three measures each.
BBENow 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.
WebsterAnd there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

What does John 2:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. 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 (Mr 7:4).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. Six water-pots of stone. Made of stone; or, as we should say, stoneware.

After the manner. After the usual custom.

Of the purifying. Of the washings or ablutions of the Jews. They were for the purpose of washing the hands before and after eating (Mt 15:2), and for the formal washing of vessels, and even articles of furniture, Lk 11:39, Mk 7:3,4.

Two or three firkins. It is not quite certain what is meant here by the word firkins. It is probable that the measure intended is the Hebrew bath, containing about 7� gallons.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 2:1-11

It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon…

Read the full comment on John 2:1-11 →

John 2:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἦσανēsanThere wereG1510
δὲdenowG1161
ἐκεῖekeithereG1563
λίθιναιlithinaiof stoneG3035
ὑδρίαιhudriaiwater jarsG5201
ἓξhexsixG1803
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὸνtontheG3588
καθαρισμὸνkatharismonpurificationG2512
τῶνtōnof theG3588
ἸουδαίωνIoudaiōnJewsG2453
κείμεναι,keimenaistanding,G2749
χωροῦσαιchōrousaihaving spaceG5562
ἀνὰanaforG303
μετρητὰςmetrētasmetretaeG3355
δύοduotwoG1417
ἢēorG2228
τρεῖς.treisthree.G5140

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 2:6

  • John 3:25

    Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

  • Ephesians 5:26

    That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

  • Hebrews 9:10

    Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

  • Mark 7:2-5

    And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

  • Hebrews 10:22

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Hebrews 9:19

    For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

  • Hebrews 6:2

    Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
after.
3:25; Mr 7:2-5; Eph 5:26; Heb 6:2; 9:10,19; 10:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 2:5

    His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

  • John 2:6

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

  • John 2:7

    Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Read all of John 2

John 2:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y estaban allí seis tinajuelas de piedra para agua, conforme á la purificación de los Judíos, que cabían en cada una dos ó tres cántaros.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or il y avait là six vaisseaux de pierre, pour tenir de l’eau, placés là selon l’usage de la purification des Juifs, pouvant recevoir chacun deux ou trois mesures.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es waren aber daselbst sechs steinerne Wasserkrüge aufgestellt, nach der Reinigungssitte der Juden, wovon jeder zwei oder drei Maß faßte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Erant autem ibi lapideæ hydriæ sex positæ secundum purificationem Judæorum, capientes singulæ metretas binas vel ternas.