John 2:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} there were {G2258} set {G2749} there {G1563} six {G1803} waterpots {G5201} of stone {G3035}, after {G2596} the manner of the purifying {G2512} of the Jews {G2453}, containing {G5562} two {G1417} or {G2228} three {G5140} firkins {G3355} apiece {G303}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now six stone water-jars were standing there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each with a capacity of twenty or thirty gallons.

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

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 2:6 describes the setting for Jesus' first miraculous sign at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, detailing the presence of six large stone waterpots. These vessels were specifically used by Jews for ceremonial purification rituals, holding a substantial volume of water—between two and three firkins each—highlighting the cultural context of Jewish religious practice and the sheer quantity of water available for Jesus' transformative act.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of the wedding at Cana, which marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and the performance of His first "sign" (John's term for miracles). The preceding verses introduce Jesus' mother and disciples, establishing the intimate setting. The miracle itself, described in [John 2:7-10](/john/2-7-10 "John 2:7-10 - The Miracle of Water into Wine"), immediately follows, demonstrating Jesus' divine power and glory, leading to His disciples' belief, as noted in [John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - Disciples Believe"). The presence and description of these waterpots in [John 2:6](/john/2-6 "John 2:6 - Waterpots for Purification") are crucial for understanding the nature of the transformation that is about to occur, setting up a contrast between old ritual and new reality.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society placed great emphasis on ritual purity, meticulously observing laws concerning ceremonial washing, as detailed in the Mosaic Law and further elaborated by rabbinic traditions. These purification rites were not just for priests but for all observant Jews before meals, after touching certain objects, or upon returning from the marketplace, as mentioned in [Mark 7:3-4](/mark/7-3-4 "Mark 7:3-4 - Jewish Washing Rituals"). Stone vessels, unlike earthenware, were considered impervious to ritual impurity, meaning they could not become defiled and thus did not need to be broken if contaminated. This made them ideal for storing water for these constant purification rituals, underscoring the daily religious life of the Jews and the profound cultural significance of the vessels mentioned in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** The description of the waterpots in [John 2:6](/john/2-6 "John 2:6 - Waterpots for Purification") contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Jewish Purification Rites**, establishing the religious background against which Jesus' ministry unfolds. Secondly, the immense capacity of the pots—"two or three firkins apiece"—points to **Abundance and Lavish Provision**, foreshadowing the overflowing grace and life that Jesus brings, as He promises in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life"). Most significantly, the transformation of water from these ritualistic pots into wine symbolizes the **Transition from Old to New**, signifying Jesus' authority to fulfill and transcend the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, introducing a new era of spiritual reality and grace that surpasses the old, a theme echoed in the discussion of new wine and old wineskins in [Matthew 9:17](/matthew/9-17 "Matthew 9:17 - New Wine and New Wineskins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **waterpots (Greek, _hydría'_):** From ὕδωρ (hydor, "water"), this word specifically denotes a water-jar or receptacle used for holding a family's water supply. In this context, it refers to large vessels designed for the storage and dispensing of water, particularly for the extensive purification rituals practiced by the Jews.
* **purifying (Greek, _katharismós'_):** Derived from καθαρίζω (katharizo, "to cleanse"), this term signifies a "washing off," referring to ceremonial ablution or ritual cleansing. It directly points to the Jewish practices of purification, emphasizing the religious and cultural purpose for which these specific waterpots were set aside.
* **firkins (Greek, _metrētḗs'_):** This word denotes a specific standard measure of capacity for liquids. A firkin was a significant unit, roughly equivalent to 9 gallons (approximately 34-40 liters). The mention of "two or three firkins apiece" underscores the enormous volume of water these pots could hold, highlighting the scale of the impending miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there were set there six waterpots of stone":** This clause establishes the immediate physical setting for the miracle. The presence of "six" waterpots, a number often associated with human imperfection or incompleteness in biblical numerology (falling short of the divine perfection of seven), suggests the inadequacy of human efforts or religious systems on their own. The material, "stone," is significant because, unlike porous earthenware, stone was considered by Jewish law to be impervious to ritual impurity, making these vessels perpetually clean for ceremonial washings.
* **"after the manner of the purifying of the Jews":** This phrase explicitly states the purpose of these waterpots. They were not for drinking water but specifically designated for the elaborate and frequent ritual ablutions that were a central part of Jewish religious life, as prescribed by tradition and interpreted from Mosaic Law. This detail underscores the context of the Old Covenant's emphasis on external cleansing.
* **"containing two or three firkins apiece":** This final detail emphasizes the immense capacity of each pot. With each firkin holding approximately 9 gallons, each pot contained between 18 and 27 gallons of water. The total volume across six pots would be between 108 and 162 gallons. This vast quantity is crucial for understanding the scale of the wine Jesus produced, highlighting the lavish and abundant nature of His provision, far exceeding any human need or expectation.

#### Literary Devices
John 2:6 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the six stone waterpots representing the Old Covenant's emphasis on ritualistic purification. Their number, six, often symbolizes human incompleteness or falling short of God's perfect seven, subtly hinting at the inadequacy of the old system without Christ. The water itself, intended for ceremonial cleansing, symbolizes the external and temporary nature of the Law's purification. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the immense capacity of the pots (108-162 gallons) subtly prepares the reader for the lavish and abundant nature of the wine Jesus will produce, which in turn foreshadows the overflowing grace and new life He brings. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the old way of purification (ritual water) and the new reality Jesus is about to inaugurate (miraculous wine), setting the stage for the theological shift from external rites to internal transformation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 2:6 serves as a powerful theological bridge, connecting the meticulous, external purification rituals of the Old Covenant with the profound, internal cleansing offered by Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. The water in these pots, intended for ceremonial washing, represents the limitations of a system that could only address outward defilement and temporary impurity. Jesus' transformation of this water into wine signifies His authority to supersede the old ways, offering a new and living way of purification that is not merely ritualistic but transformative and complete. This act underscores that true cleansing and spiritual abundance come through His person and work, not through adherence to external regulations. It points to the reality that the ceremonial law, while God-given, was a shadow pointing to the substance found in Christ.

* [Hebrews 9:10](/hebrews/9-10 "Hebrews 9:10 - Ceremonial Regulations")
* [Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Christ Cleanses the Church")
* [Matthew 9:17](/matthew/9-17 "Matthew 9:17 - New Wine in New Wineskins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 2:6 invites us to consider the areas in our own lives where we might be relying on "waterpots of stone"—our own efforts, traditions, or external rituals—for a sense of purity, acceptance, or spiritual fulfillment. Just as Jesus stepped into a situation of insufficiency (lack of wine) and transformed ordinary water into extraordinary wine, He desires to transform our ordinary, insufficient, and often ritualistic approaches to faith into something vibrant, abundant, and truly life-giving. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere outward observance to a deeper, more profound reliance on Christ for true cleansing and renewal. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not about accumulating enough "clean water" through our own works, but about allowing Jesus to fill our emptiness with His divine presence and transform it into something glorious and new.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely on external rituals or my own efforts for a sense of spiritual purity or acceptance, rather than on Christ's transformative power?**
* **How does the abundance of wine produced in this miracle speak to God's character and His provision for my life?**
* **What "old ways" or insufficient practices might Jesus be inviting me to surrender so that He can bring about a "new" and more abundant reality?**

### FAQ
**Why were the waterpots made of stone?**

Answer: The waterpots were made of stone because, according to Jewish purity laws, stone vessels were considered impervious to ritual impurity. Unlike earthenware (pottery) vessels, which became defiled if an unclean person touched them or if an unclean object fell into them, stone vessels could not absorb impurity. This meant they did not need to be broken or ritually purified themselves, making them ideal for holding water used in the frequent and meticulous purification rituals observed by the Jews, as referenced in [Mark 7:3-4](/mark/7-3-4 "Mark 7:3-4 - Jewish Washing Rituals"). Their material ensured the water they contained remained ceremonially pure for washing hands, cups, and other items before meals or after various forms of defilement.

**What was the significance of the 'firkins' capacity?**

Answer: The "firkin" (Greek: _metrētḗs_) was a significant liquid measure, equivalent to about 9 gallons (approximately 34-40 liters). The fact that each of the six waterpots held "two or three firkins apiece" means each pot contained between 18 and 27 gallons. This translates to a massive total volume of between 108 and 162 gallons of water. This immense capacity is highly significant because it underscores the lavish and abundant nature of the wine Jesus produced. It was not just enough to save the host from embarrassment, but an overflowing, superabundant provision, far exceeding human need or expectation. This foreshadows the boundless grace and life that Jesus brings, as He states in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 2:6, with its description of waterpots for Jewish purification, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' work on the cross and the New Covenant He inaugurated. The water in these stone jars, intended for external and temporary cleansing, points to the inadequacy of the Old Covenant's ceremonial law to bring about true and lasting spiritual purity. Jesus, as the true Lamb of God (as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offers a purification that is far superior and eternal. His shed blood, symbolized by the wine He miraculously creates, is the ultimate means of cleansing from sin, providing complete and permanent redemption (as seen in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness")). The transformation of water into wine signifies that Christ does not merely cleanse externally but transforms internally, moving from the shadow of ritual to the substance of His grace. Through Him, we are not just ritually clean but made truly righteous and holy, having direct access to God through His sacrifice, as explained in [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood"), fulfilling the deepest longing for purity that the Old Covenant rituals could only point towards.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Mark 7:5

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 6:2

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

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.