John 18:18. Made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves.
Charcoal is of ancient origin, and is still used for fuel in Palestine, though not so commonly employed for that purpose as sticks and other articles. See notes on 1 Kings 17:10 (#307); Psalm 58:9 (#646) and Matthew 6:30. It was doubtless the material used for the fire spoken of in the text, and was probably burning in a pan or brazier made of metal or earthenware.
Charcoal is also referred to in Proverbs 26:21, (where the distinction is finely made between dead and burning coals); Isaiah 44:12; 54:16 and John 21:9.