### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κεράμιον (kerámion, `{{G2765}}`) denotes an "earthenware vessel," specifically a "jar" or "pitcher." Its etymology traces back to κέραμος (kéramos, `{{G2764}}`), meaning "potter's clay" or "earthenware," which itself derives from a root signifying "to mix" or "to make pottery." Thus, the core meaning of κεράμιον inherently points to its material: a vessel formed from clay and hardened by fire. This implies a common, utilitarian object, often fragile and easily broken, distinguishing it from vessels made of more precious metals or durable materials. Its semantic range is narrow, consistently referring to a container used for liquids, particularly water, in everyday domestic life.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κεράμιον appears only twice in the New Testament, both in parallel accounts of Jesus' instructions to His disciples regarding the preparation for the Passover meal:
* [[Mark 14:13]]: "And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, 'Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him.'"
* [[Luke 22:10]]: "He said to them, 'Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters.'"
In both instances, the κεράμιον ὕδατος (kerámion hydatos, "pitcher of water") serves as a precise and divinely orchestrated sign. The disciples are instructed to look for this specific, seemingly mundane detail. The significance lies not in the vessel itself, but in the unusual nature of a man carrying it; in that culture, fetching water was typically a task performed by women. This atypical sight would make the man easily identifiable, ensuring the disciples would find the exact location for the Last Supper. The pitcher, therefore, functions as a divinely appointed marker, leading to a pivotal moment in redemptive history.
### Related Words & Concepts
The immediate semantic field of κεράμιον includes:
* **κέραμος** (kéramos, `{{G2764}}`): The root noun for "potter's clay" or "earthenware," emphasizing the material composition of the pitcher.
* **κεραμεύς** (kerameus, `{{G2766}}`): The "potter," the artisan who shapes the clay into vessels. This highlights the created nature of the object.
* **σκεῦος** (skeuos, `{{G4632}}`): A broader term for "vessel," "implement," or "utensil." While κεράμιον is a specific type of σκεῦος, the general concept of a "vessel" is significant in biblical theology, often used metaphorically for individuals as instruments of God's purpose (e.g., [[Acts 9:15]], [[Romans 9:21-23]]).
* **ὀστράκινος** (ostrakinos, `{{G3749}}`): "Earthen" or "clay-made." Though not directly from the κεράμιον root, this adjective appears in [[2 Corinthians 4:7]] ("earthen vessels" - ὀστράκινα σκεύη) to describe the fragile human body or mortal existence that contains the divine treasure of the gospel. This conceptual link underscores the humility and commonness inherent in "earthenware."
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of κεράμιον in the Gospels, though seemingly minor, carries profound theological implications:
1. **Divine Providence and Meticulous Guidance:** The pitcher serves as a precise, divinely given sign, demonstrating God's meticulous orchestration of events. Jesus, knowing all things, provides a specific, verifiable detail to lead His disciples to the exact location for the institution of the New Covenant meal. This underscores the sovereign control of God even over the seemingly mundane details of life.
2. **The Ordinary for the Extraordinary:** The use of a common, everyday object—a water pitcher—as a signpost for such a sacred and pivotal event (the Last Supper) highlights God's propensity to work through the humble and ordinary. It challenges human expectations that divine revelation or guidance must come through grand, miraculous displays. God uses the familiar to accomplish His sacred purposes.
3. **Humility and Availability:** The anonymous man carrying the pitcher, engaged in a humble task, becomes an unwitting, yet crucial, participant in God's redemptive plan. This subtly suggests that God can and does use ordinary individuals, in their everyday circumstances, to fulfill His will. Their availability, even in simple acts, can be instrumental.
4. **Preparation for Sacrifice:** The pitcher leads to the upper room where Jesus would institute the Eucharist, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice. The humble vessel, therefore, becomes a part of the divine preparation for the most profound act of love and redemption.
### Summary
The Greek word κεράμιον (kerámion, `{{G2765}}`) denotes an "earthenware pitcher" or "jar." Its two New Testament occurrences in [[Mark 14:13]] and [[Luke 22:10]] are identical, referring to the specific sign—a man carrying a pitcher of water—that Jesus gave His disciples to locate the upper room for the Last Supper. This seemingly ordinary detail carries significant theological weight, illustrating God's meticulous providence and divine guidance. The use of a common, humble object as a precise sign underscores God's ability to work through the mundane to achieve extraordinary, sacred purposes, leading His people to pivotal moments in salvation history.
TRV