A.T. Robertson Commentary John 2:6

"Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews` manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece." — John 2:6 (ASV)

Waterpots (υδρια). Old word from υδωρ (water) and used in papyri for pots or pans for holding money or bread as well as water. These stone (λιθινα as in 2 Corinthians 3:3) jars full of water were kept handy (set there , κειμενα, present middle participle of κειμα) at a feast for ceremonial cleansing of the hands (2 Kings 3:11), "after the Jews' manner of purifying" (κατα τον καθαρισμον των Ιουδαιων). See Mr 1:44; Luke 2:22 for the word καθαρισμος (from καθαριζω) which fact also raised a controversy with disciples of John because of his baptizing (John 3:25).

Containing (χωρουσα). Present active participle feminine plural of χωρεω, old verb from χωρος, place, space, having space or room for.

Two or three firkins apiece (ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις). The word μετρητης, from μετρεω, to measure, simply means "measurer," an amphora for measuring liquids (in Demosthenes, Aristotle, Polybius), the Hebrew bath (2 Chronicles 4:5), here only in N.T., about 8 1/2 English gallons. Each υδρια thus held about 20 gallons. This common distributive use of ανα occurs here only in this Gospel, but is in Re 4:8. In Joh 4:28 a much smaller υδρια was used for carrying water.