Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

JOHN 2:7KJV
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John 2:7 (KJV)

What does John 2:7 mean?

John 2:7 shows Jesus directing the servants at a wedding to prepare the waterpots. They carry out his instruction completely, filling the vessels to the brim. Their action sets the scene for what Jesus does with the water in the verses that follow.

The waterpots were large stone vessels used for Jewish washing customs. The picture of water reaching the brim lets the reader see how thoroughly the servants completed their task.

The Greek behind John 2:7

  • “waterpots” — ὑδρία (hydria): This word refers to a vessel for holding or carrying water. In this passage, the word points to the containers already standing there for washing.
  • “brim” — ἄνω (anō): The word carries the sense of “up” or “above.” With the surrounding words, it describes the water reaching the top of the vessels.

Why John 2:7 matters

  • The passage distinguishes the servants’ work from the change that follows. The servants put water into the vessels; later, the person in charge of the feast tastes water that has become wine (John 2:9).
  • The account gives the servants a particular place in the story. John 2:9 says they knew where the water had come from, while the person in charge of the feast did not.

Where else these words appear

“waterpots” Greek G5201 · used in 3 verses

  • John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
  • John 4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

“Fill” Greek G1072 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
  • Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“brim” Greek G507 · used in 9 verses

  • John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
  • Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
  • Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

“water” Greek G5204 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.