Ἰωάννην 2:6

Greek Modern Translation

Ησαν δε εκει υδριαι λιθιναι εξ κειμεναι κατα το εθος του καθαρισμου των Ιουδαιων, χωρουσαι εκαστη δυο η τρια μετρα.

Parallel Translations

SBL Greek New Testament (2010)
ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ ⸂λίθιναι ὑδρίαι⸃ ἓξ ⸂κατὰ τὸν καθαρισμὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων κείμεναι⸃, χωροῦσαι ἀνὰ μετρητὰς δύο ἢ τρεῖς.

Tischendorf 8th Edition
ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ λίθιναι ὑδρίαι ἓξ κατὰ τὸν καθαρισμὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων κείμεναι, χωροῦσαι ἀνὰ μετρητὰς δύο ἢ τρεῖς.

Textus Receptus (1550/1894)
ησαν δε εκει υδριαι λιθιναι εξ κειμεναι κατα τον καθαρισμον των ιουδαιων χωρουσαι ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις

Westcott/Hort UBS4 (1881)
ησαν δε εκει λιθιναι υδριαι εξ κατα τον καθαρισμον των ιουδαιων κειμεναι χωρουσαι ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις

Byzantine/Majority Text
ησαν δε εκει υδριαι λιθιναι εξ κειμεναι κατα τον καθαρισμον των ιουδαιων χωρουσαι ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

after: John 3:25, Mark 7:2-5, Ephesians 5:26, Hebrews 6:2, Hebrews 9:10, Hebrews 9:19, Hebrews 10:22

Reciprocal: Psalms 9:13 - thou Mark 7:4 - except John 4:46 - Cana John 11:55 - to purify

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And there were set six water pots of stone,.... To distinguish them from other vessels made of different matter: for the Jews had

"vessels made of dust, and the dung of beasts, כלי אבנים, "vessels of stone", vessels of earth, vessels made of shells, vessels of nitre, vessels made of the bones and skins of fishes t.''

And as these vessels were very likely for washing of hands, such were used for that purpose: their rule is u,

"they may put water for the hands in all sorts of vessels; in vessels of dung, in stone vessels, and in vessels of earth.''

At a wedding were set vessels of various sizes to wash hands and feet in; there was one vessel called משיכלא, which the gloss says was a large pitcher, or basin, out of which the whole company washed their hands and their feet; and there was another called משיכלתא, which was a lesser and beautiful basin, which was set alone for the more honourable persons, as for the bride, and for any gentlewoman w; and such might be these six stone jars, or pots:

after the manner of the purifying of the Jews; or "for the purifying either Jews", as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it; that is, for the washing of them, their hands and feet, and their vessels, pots, and cups, according to the traditions of the elders; see Mark 7:2;

containing two or three firkins apiece. The Ethiopic version reads, "some held two measures, and some three"; how large the "metreta", or "measure" was, which we render a "firkin", is not certain; it is most likely it answered to the "Hebrew bath", which was a common measure of liquids with the Jews, and held four gallons and a half, or more; Mark 7:2- :; so that such of these vessels, that held two of these measures, contained nine gallons, and such as held three of them, thirteen gallons and a half; and six of these contained a large quantity of wine, one with another: and which makes the following miracle the greater; and shows the liberality of Christ the more, in providing for the following days of the feast, for a marriage was kept seven days x; and for the family, some time after it was over.

t Misn. Celim, c. 10. sect. 1. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. u Misn. Yadaim, c. 1. sect. 2. w Gloss in T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 77. 2. x Maimon. Hilchot Ishot, c. 10. sect. 12, 13.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 Matthew 15:2, and for the formal washing of vessels, and even articles of furniture, Luke 11:39; Mark 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 12 gallons.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 2:6. 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 Matthew 15:2. 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.