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Selected Verse: John 2:6 - King James

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

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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 (Mar 7:4).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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 (Mar 7:4).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Mat 15:2, and for the formal washing of vessels, and even articles of furniture, Luk 11:39; Mar 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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 Mat 15:2, and for the formal washing of vessels, and even articles of furniture, Luk 11:39; Mar 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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Water-pots (ὑδρίαι) Used by John only, and only in the Gospel, Joh 2:7; Joh 4:28. Water-pots is literally correct, as the word is from ὕδωρ, water. Of stone Because less liable to impurity, and therefore prescribed by the Jewish authorities for washing before and after meals. After the manner of the purifying, etc. That is, for the purifications customary among the Jews. Containing (χωροῦσαι) From χῶρος, a place or space. Hence, to make room or give place, and so, to have space or room for holding something. Firkins (μετρητὰς) Only here in the New Testament. From μετρέω, to measure; and therefore, properly, a measurer. A liquid measure containing nearly nine gallons.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Water-pots (ὑδρίαι)

Used by John only, and only in the Gospel, Joh 2:7; Joh 4:28. Water-pots is literally correct, as the word is from ὕδωρ, water.

Of stone

Because less liable to impurity, and therefore prescribed by the Jewish authorities for washing before and after meals.

After the manner of the purifying, etc.

That is, for the purifications customary among the Jews.

Containing (χωροῦσαι)

From χῶρος, a place or space. Hence, to make room or give place, and so, to have space or room for holding something.

Firkins (μετρητὰς)

Only here in the New Testament. From μετρέω, to measure; and therefore, properly, a measurer. A liquid measure containing nearly nine gallons.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The purifying of the Jews - Who purified themselves by frequent washings particularly before eating.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

The purifying of the Jews - Who purified themselves by frequent washings particularly before eating.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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 Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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.

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