85. How much wine did Jesus make at the wedding feast in Cana?

The only source of information is the Gospel narrative. The Evange­list estimated the capacity of each of the six waterpots at "two or three firkins."

The firkin, according to Smith's Dictionary of Classical An­tiquities, was equal to eight gallons and seven-eighths of a gallon.

Thus the Evangelist's estimate gives us as the capacity of each jar somewhere between seventeen and twenty-six gallons. Nothing is told us about the vessel in which it was borne to the governor of the feast.

It was proba­bly a pitcher. There is an ancient picture on ivory in existence which rep­resents the miracle. It is believed to have been painted not later than the seventh century.

In this the jars are represented as wide stone jars as high as the breast of the man who is drawing from them. He holds in his hand a drinking-cup which apparently would hold about a pint.

This, however, is only the conception of the miracle formed by an artist who lived about six hundred years after the miracle was performed.