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The Wedding at Cana
…5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”6Nowsixstonewater jarshad beensettherefortheJewishrites of purification.Each could holdfromtwenty to thirty gallons.7Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.…

Treasury of Scripture

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

after.

John 3:25
Then there arose a question betweensome of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

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…

Ephesians 5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

AccordanceApieceContainingCustomFirkinsGallonsHoldingJarsJewishJewsKindMannerNearbyPlacedPotsPurificationPurifyingPurposeRegulationsRitesSixStandingStoneThirtyThreeTwentyWaterWaterpotsWayAccordanceApieceContainingCustomFirkinsGallonsHoldingJarsJewishJewsKindMannerNearbyPlacedPotsPurificationPurifyingPurposeRegulationsRitesSixStandingStoneThirtyThreeTwentyWaterWaterpotsWay1.Jesus turns water into wine;
12.departs into Capernaum,
13.and to Jerusalem,
14.where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers.
18.He foretells his death and resurrection.
23.Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them.

Now six stone water jars had been set there
The presence of six stone water jars is significant in the context of Jewish customs. Stone jars were used because they were considered less likely to become ritually impure compared to earthenware. The number six, often associated with imperfection or incompleteness in biblical numerology, contrasts with the perfection of the miracle Jesus is about to perform. This setting is at a wedding in Cana, a small village in Galilee, highlighting the humble beginnings of Jesus' public ministry.

for the Jewish rites of purification
These purification rites were part of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the importance of ritual cleanliness. The water in these jars was used for washing hands and utensils, a practice rooted in the traditions of the elders (Mark 7:3-4). This context underscores the transition from the old covenant, focused on external purification, to the new covenant, which emphasizes internal transformation through Christ. The use of these jars for a miracle signifies a shift from the old ways to the new life Jesus offers.

Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons
The large capacity of these jars, approximately 120 to 180 gallons in total, highlights the abundance of the miracle. This abundance is a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry, reflecting God's generous provision (John 10:10). The transformation of such a large quantity of water into wine also symbolizes the overflowing grace and blessings found in Christ. This miracle prefigures the new wine of the kingdom of God, as seen in the eschatological banquet imagery inIsaiah 25:6 andRevelation 19:9.

1.Jesus
- Central figure in the Gospel of John, performing His first recorded miracle at the wedding in Cana.

2.Wedding at Cana
- The setting of Jesus' first miracle, where He turned water into wine.

3.Jewish Rites of Purification
- Ceremonial practices in Judaism involving water for cleansing, highlighting the cultural and religious context of the event.

4.Stone Water Jars
- Large containers used for purification, symbolizing the old covenant and Jewish traditions.

5.Disciples
- Followers of Jesus who witnessed the miracle, strengthening their faith in Him.Symbolism of Purification
The stone jars represent the old covenant and the Jewish law. Jesus' transformation of water into wine signifies the new covenant and the transformative power of His ministry.

Abundance in Christ
The large capacity of the jars (20-30 gallons each) symbolizes the abundance and generosity of God's grace through Jesus.

Transformation
Just as Jesus transformed water into wine, He transforms our lives. This miracle is a sign of His power to change the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Faith and Obedience
The servants' obedience in filling the jars with water demonstrates faith in Jesus' instructions, a model for our own faith and obedience.

New Beginnings
The miracle at the wedding signifies the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, inviting us to consider the new beginnings He offers in our lives.1.What is the meaning of John 2:6?

2.How does John 2:6 illustrate Jesus' power to transform ordinary into extraordinary?

3.What significance do the "six stone water jars" hold in Jewish purification rituals?

4.How can we apply the concept of transformation in John 2:6 to our lives?

5.What other biblical events demonstrate God's ability to transform situations or people?

6.How does John 2:6 encourage us to trust in Jesus' transformative power today?

7.What is the significance of the six stone water jars in John 2:6?

8.How does John 2:6 reflect Jewish purification rituals?

9.Why were the stone jars used instead of other containers in John 2:6?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 2?

11.Why is there no scientific evidence of water turning into wine?

12.Why did Jesus transform water into wine?

13.How credible is the historical setting of a large wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1–11), given limited archeological evidence for the town?

14.Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that John 17’s prayer was documented by eyewitnesses, or is it purely a theological construct?now six stone water jars

• Scripture reports with precise detail: “Now six stone water jars…” (John 2:6).

• Six evokes completeness of man’s work (Genesis 1:31–2:2) and sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His superior work.

• Stone jars were durable and, unlike earthenware, did not become ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 11:32–33). Their presence underscores God’s concern for holiness.

• Similar vessels appear in Old Testament accounts of cleansing (2 Kings 2:20-21) and in later debate over purification inJohn 3:25, showing continuity with Jewish practice.

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had been set there

• The jars “had been set there,” already positioned by God’s providence for Jesus’ miracle; nothing is accidental (Proverbs 16:9).

• Their readiness mirrors other occasions where God places objects or people in advance—e.g., the colt tied and awaiting Jesus (Luke 19:30-31).

• The scene anticipates Christ’s pattern of using what is available (John 6:9-11) to manifest His glory.

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for the Jewish rites of purification

• These jars served ritual washings prescribed in the Law (Numbers 19:17-19) and expanded by tradition (Mark 7:3-4).

• The mention ties the miracle to themes of cleansing later fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 9:13-14).

• By turning purification water into wine, Jesus signals the shift from external ceremonies to internal, Spirit-given cleansing (Ezekiel 36:25-27;John 15:3).

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each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons

• The sizeable capacity (roughly 120–180 gallons total) highlights:

– Abundant provision, foreshadowing the “fullness of grace” in Christ (John 1:16).

– Supernatural power: transforming such volume magnifies the sign, akin to Elijah’s drenched altar (1 Kings 18:33-39).

– Joy of the Messianic age, surpassing previous limitations (Amos 9:13;Isaiah 25:6).

• Literal measurement assures us the account is historical, not allegory, affirming the trustworthiness of Scripture (2 Peter 1:16).

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summary

John 2:6 records six large, stone purification jars already in place, ready for Jesus to use. Their durability and ceremonial purpose root the narrative in Jewish law, while their great capacity anticipates the abundant, transformative work Christ is about to perform. The verse assures us of God’s meticulous sovereignty, connects Old Covenant cleansing to New Covenant fulfillment, and prepares us to witness Jesus replacing ritual water with the wine of a joyous, overflowing salvation.

(6)Waterpots, orpitchers, like to but larger than the vessels used for carrying water, as inJohn 4:28. These were placed in the outer court, away from the guest-chamber, for the governor of the feast is ignorant of the circumstances (John 2:9). It is natural that an eyewitness should remember the number and know roughly their size. There were six of them, containing about twenty gallons apiece; but hidden meanings referring to the number or the quantity are brought to the text, not derived from it. The measure rendered "firkin" ismetretes, which is used for the Hebrew, "bath" in2Chronicles 4:5. This (Jos.Ant. viii. 2, ? 9) gives nearly nine gallons as the value of the "firkin," which multiplied by two or three gives the contents of each pitcher as from about eighteen to twenty-seven gallons; or, approximately, from 100 to 150 gallons for the whole. Our own word "firkin" is probably "a little fourth," and equal to nine gallons, or the fourth of a barrel (comp. Tierce, which is one-third). It is used only here in the Bible.

Verse 6. -Now there were (set, or)placed there six water pots of stone, after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. Stone was often used for these receptacles, as more calculated to preserve the purity of the water (Wunsche refers to 'Beza,' 2:2; Westcott quotes 'Sofa,' 4; Barclay, in his translation of 'Mishna,' § 17, enumerates earthenware and other material as lawful). It is interesting that these stone jars are still used in this very neighbourhood for like purposes ('Pict. Palestine'). This large number of jars of considerable magnitude was doubtless due in part to the number of the guests, and to the scrupulous attention to ceremonial purity that was enjoined by the oral law (see 'Mishna,' § 17; and Lightfoot,in loc.). They were accustomed to wash, not only the hands, but "cups, brazen vessels, and tables" (seeMatthew 15:2 and parallel passages). (For this use ofκατά, see2 Timothy 1:1, in which "according to" easily passes into the sense of "for the sake of, after the manner of.") The Attic measuremetretes was equal to the Hebrewbath (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 8:02. 9), and stands for it in the LXX. of2 Chronicles 4:5, and this equalled 1.5 Romanamphorae, 8 gallons + 7.5 pints. So that six jars containing 2 or 3 metretes, say 2.5 = 6 x 2.5 x 8 gallons + 7.5 pints = 6 x 2.5 × 71.5 pints = 134 gallons and a fraction. The jars may have differed in shape, according as they were adapted for different purposes; butἀνά must be translated distributively, and we cannot evade the enormous capacity of the jars, and therefore the abundance of the gift thus provided. Various efforts have been made to reduce the extent of the provision; but the obvious implication of the narrative is that the six jars were thelocale of the miracle. Dr. Moulton and Dr. Westcott suggest that these water pots were filled with pure water, but that the wine was "drawn" from the water supply to which the servants had access, and that no more wine was provided than that which was borne to the governor of the feast. Others have supposed that simply the waterdrawn from the jars was transformed in the process. These suppositions make the entire reference to the water pots extremely obscure and unnecessary. The large quantity of wine thus offered to these humble folks corresponds with the affluence of Nature in all her moods - the munificence of spring blossoms, the harvest of the sea, the exuberance of sunlight, the superfluity of rain that falls on the oceans, the copiousness of all God's ways. When, on other occasions, the Lord added to the supplies of food in fishes and bread, his lavish abundance corresponds with the riches of his loving kindness on this occasion. There was provided, not the material for a meal, but an ample dowry for such a bride. No mere magical change, momentarily confounding perception and leaving no trace behind, but a supply which would be a standing proof of the reality of what had been done.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Now
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

six
ἓξ(hex)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1803:Six. A primary numeral; six.

stone
λίθιναι(lithinai)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3035:Made of stone. From lithos; stony, i.e. Made of stone.

water jars
ὑδρίαι(hydriai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5201:A water pot, jar, pitcher. From hudor; a water-jar, i.e. Receptacle for family supply.

had been
Ἦσαν(Ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

set
κείμεναι(keimenai)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2749:To lie, recline, be placed, be laid, set, specially appointed, destined. Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched.

there
ἐκεῖ(ekei)
Adverb
Strong's 1563:(a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.

for
κατὰ(kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596:A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τῶν(tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jewish
Ἰουδαίων(Ioudaiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453:Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

[rites of] purification.
καθαρισμὸν(katharismon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2512:From katharizo; a washing off, i.e. ablution, expiation.

[Each] could hold
χωροῦσαι(chōrousai)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5562:From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit.

from
ἀνὰ(ana)
Adverb
Strong's 303:A primary preposition and adverb; properly, up; but used severally, or at.

twenty to thirty gallons.
δύο(dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417:Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.


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NT Gospels: John 2:6 Now there were six water pots (Jhn Jo Jn)