κεράμιον

a pitcher, earthen vessel

Definition

A κεράμιον is a common earthenware vessel, specifically a water pitcher or jar made from baked clay. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to a portable water jug used for household purposes. The term appears in the parallel accounts of Jesus's instructions for preparing the Passover meal, where a man carrying such a pitcher becomes a specific sign for the disciples (Mark 14:13, Luke 22:10). Its meaning is straightforward, denoting a utilitarian clay container.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Synoptic Gospels' nearly identical descriptions of the preparation for the Last Supper. In both Mark 14:13 and Luke 22:10, Jesus tells his disciples to look for a man carrying a κεράμιον of water as a signal for where to prepare the Passover. The usage is practical and descriptive, highlighting an ordinary, observable object used in a divinely orchestrated sign.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun κέραμος (keramos), meaning 'potter's clay,' 'tile,' or 'earthenware.' The suffix -ιον forms a diminutive or denotes something made from the base material, so κεράμιον literally means 'a little thing made of clay' or 'earthenware vessel.' It is related to the English word 'ceramic.'

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a mundane object, its use in the Gospels is theologically significant. The man carrying the κεράμιον is a pre-arranged, humble sign in Jesus's meticulous planning for the Passover, which becomes the Last Supper. This detail underscores Jesus's sovereign foreknowledge and control over events leading to his crucifixion. Recognizing this specific, ordinary object enriches our reading by highlighting how God's redemptive plan unfolds through everyday means and obedient, seemingly minor actions.

In the first-century Mediterranean world, a κεράμιον was a standard household item. Water was typically fetched from a well or public fountain, and women usually performed this task. Therefore, a man carrying a water pitcher would have been a somewhat unusual and conspicuous sight, making him an effective, identifiable sign for the disciples as Jesus intended.

ἀγγεῖον (angeion, G30) — a more general term for any vessel or container. σκεῦος (skeuos, G4632) — an even broader term for an implement, tool, or vessel, often used metaphorically.

Word Details

Scripture References