In John 2:6, the original Greek words for ‘Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews’ numerically add up to 613 – the number of Commandments in the Torah (the Levitical Law). There are also 12 of these Greek words where the number 12 is associated with Israel (namely the 12 tribes). Please see the words in red, in the diagram below, for a detailed breakdown of the calculation and note that the Greek number tables are listed here.
The first sign miracle in John’s Gospel, of the conversion of ‘water to wine’ (where these waterpots are referenced), symbolises how the ‘blood of Jesus’ would replace (or more accurately ‘fulfil’) the Levitical Law. The transformation of water (in these six ceremonial water pots) to wine, is symbolic of the imminent outworking of this ‘better’ covenant. It is highly significant, therefore, that the numerical value of these 12 Greek words, which describe the waterpots, add up to ‘613’.
Hebrews 9:14-15 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
