6 Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings [i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons.
John 2:6 Cross References - AUV
Mark 7:2-5
2 They had observed some of His disciples eating their food with contaminated, that is, [ceremonially] unwashed hands.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews would not eat anything unless they first scrubbed their hands [i.e., up to the wrists] in accordance with the [long-established] tradition of the Jewish elders).
4 And when they returned from the open shopping markets they refused to eat [anything] until they washed themselves [or “it,” that is, the food, thoroughly]. There were also many other traditions which they [strictly] observed, like washing cups, pots and copper kettles [thoroughly].) [Note: The most accurate Greek manuscripts do not add “and beds” in this verse].
5 The Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not live according to the traditions of the Jewish elders, but [instead] eat their food with contaminated [i.e., ceremonially unwashed] hands?”
John 3:25
25 [About then] a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over ceremonial cleansing.
Ephesians 5:26
26 so that He could dedicate her [to Himself], after cleansing her by means of the washing of water [i.e., immersion], accompanied by the word. [Note: “The word” here refers either to a person’s profession of faith (See Rom. 10:9) or to the Gospel message (See Rom. 10:17), both of which are associated with immersion].
Hebrews 6:2
2 and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John’s and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.
Hebrews 9:10
10 since, with foods and drinks and various [ceremonial] washings, they are only outward regulations imposed until the time when everything would be made right [i.e., under the New Agreement].
Hebrews 9:19
19 For after Moses had declared every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats and [mixed it] with water, then sprinkled both the scroll [of the Agreement] and all the people with a hyssop branch covered by red wool [dipped in the mixture].
Hebrews 10:22
22 we should draw close [to God] with a sincere heart and a fully assured faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience [See 9:13-14] and having had our bodies washed with clean water [i.e., in our immersion].