Stone Vessels in the time of Jesus: The Sacred Containers of Second Temple Judaism

During Jesus’ time, stone vessels represented a unique intersection of religious law, technological innovation, and daily Jewish life in Second Temple Jerusalem and Judea. Their popularity stemmed from the contemporaneous Jewish law that clay, glass or metal vessels could become ritually impure through contact with certain substances or the dead. However, stone vessels were considered permanently pure.

Stone Measuring cup found in the “Herodian Quarter” in Jerusalem. (c) Danny Herman

The stone vessel industry emerged in the late first century BCE, reflecting an intensified focus on ritual purity among Jews. Skilled artisans developed specialized techniques to hollow out solid limestone blocks, creating several distinct vessel types. These included the large basin-like vats, sometimes referred to as “Kalal”, and the smaller measuring cups, possibly used for washing hands.

So far archaeological research uncovered stone purity vessels in over 250 sites, 70 of them in the Galilee and the Golan Heights. The Archaeologists also uncovered several production centers of such vessels around Jerusalem, and one in the Galilee. Their presence often correlates with other purity installations like ritual baths (mikvaot), indicating communities deeply committed to ritual observance.

Purity Stone Vessels and the New Testament

Purity Stone vats found in the “Herodian Quarter” in Jerusalem. Such vats were probably used in the wedding in Cana as mentioned in John 2:1-6. (c) Danny Herman

The Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’ first miracle provides a uniquely specific archaeological detail about ritual purity vessels. The text (John 2:6) reads: “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons” (or “two to three metretae” in some translations).

The evangelist’s explanatory note that these were “the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing” suggests he was writing for an audience unfamiliar with Jewish customs. Yet his accurate description of these vessels’ purpose and capacity demonstrates intimate knowledge of contemporary Jewish ritual practice.

Moreover, the text indicates the water was stored in big stone vats. Such vats are well known from Jewish sources and archaeological record. They were perhaps called “kallal”, and held in average 10-15 gallons.

Bibliography

Magen, The Stone Vessel Industry in the Second Temple Period: Excavations at Hizma and the Jerusalem Temple Mount, Jerusalem 2002

Adler J. 2019. New Insights in the Study of Roman Period Jewish Chalk Vessels. Qadmoniot 157: 2-17 (in Hebrew).