John 2:5-8

2:5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” ¹ 

2:6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, ²  each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ³  2:7 Jesus told the servants, ⁴  “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top. 2:8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” ⁵  and they did.

¹ tn The pronoun “it” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.

² tn Grk “for the purification of the Jews.”

³ tn Grk “holding two or three metretes” (about 75 to 115 liters). Each of the pots held 2 or 3 μετρηταί (metrhtai). A μετρητῆς (metrhths) was about 9 gallons (40 liters); thus each jar held 18-27 gallons (80-120 liters) and the total volume of liquid involved was 108-162 gallons (480-720 liters).

⁴ tn Grk “them” (it is clear from the context that the servants are addressed).

⁵ tn Or “the master of ceremonies.”