John 4

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

And many more believed because of his own word;

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

What does John 4:10 mean?

Explanation

John 4:10 captures a profound interaction between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

When Jesus asks her for a drink, she is surprised because Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans.

In response to her reaction, Jesus speaks of a "gift of God" and the "living water" He can provide.

The literal understanding is that Jesus refers to something greater than physical water.

He speaks metaphorically of the spiritual life and refreshment He offers, which, unlike ordinary water, satisfies eternally.

Jesus attempts to shift the woman's focus from mundane realities to divine ones, offering her something beyond her immediate comprehension – salvation and eternal life.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The event in John 4:10 takes place in a first-century Judaic context.

Jesus finds himself in Samaria, which was unusual for a Jew, as Jews often avoided passing through Samaritan territory due to mutual enmity that dated back centuries.

The "living water" phrase would resonate with a Jewish audience familiar with the symbolism of water in their religious traditions, used often to represent purification, life, and God's provision.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse touches on several key concepts:

Grace: The "gift of God" implies the unearned nature of what Jesus offers, emphasizing salvation as a gift rather than a reward.
Messiah: The phrase "and who it is that saith to thee" hints at Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.
Spiritual Sustenance: The "living water" is commonly interpreted among most denominations as Jesus' offer of the Holy Spirit, which brings spiritual life and satisfaction.

The Catholic Church, Orthodox traditions, and many Protestant denominations see this offer of "living water" as symbolic of baptism and the life-giving grace that it imparts.

Evangelical Christians often interpret it more personally, as the individual's acceptance of Christ leading to an indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers in practical terms to:

Seek spiritual sustenance from Christ, which promises lasting fulfillment.
Approach Jesus with openness and willingness to receive what He offers.
Recognize and accept the grace of God without trying to earn it through works.
Look beyond cultural barriers to share the gospel, much like Christ did with the Samaritan woman.

Cross-References

Isaiah 55:1 – "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters..."
Jeremiah 2:13 – "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters..."
John 7:37-38 – "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
Revelation 7:17 – "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters..."

Language Study

The Greek term translated as "living" is "ζῶν" (zōn), which implies something active, life-giving, and enduring.

"Water" (ὕδωρ, hudōr) is often symbolic of life and cleansing. When Jesus speaks of the "gift of God" (δωρέα τοῦ Θεοῦ, dōrea tou Theou), the word "δωρέα" suggests a free and generous gift underscoring the nature of God's grace.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of water as a life-giving and purifying element is common in many ancient religions.

For example, in ancient Mesopotamian religions, water was associated with creation and fertility.

In Hinduism, the Ganges River is considered sacred and is believed to purify those who bathe in it.

Jesus offering "living water" presents a radical transformation of these familiar cultural motifs, providing a spiritual rather than physical purification and life.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, water is essential for life as it is known to us.

It sustains biological functions and is a key component of most living organisms.

Drawing comparisons, Jesus' reference to "living water" could be interpreted as emphasizing the essential nature of spiritual life, which, like water for the body, is necessary for the soul's survival and well-being.

Commentaries

Most biblical scholars agree that this interaction plays a crucial part in Johannine theology, emphasizing belief in Jesus as integral to the experience of eternal life.

Gail R.

O'Day in the "New Interpreter's Bible Commentary" states that this verse invites the reader to understand who Jesus is from the woman's perspective and to see Jesus’ identity and mission through the metaphor of living water.

Craig S.

Keener, in his "IVP Bible Background Commentary," notes that living water often referred to flowing water and was associated with life and fertility in the Old Testament, an imagery Jesus reinterprets spiritually.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 4:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?