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 4:11 mean?

Explanation

John 4:11 is part of a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

In this verse, the woman is responding to Jesus' offer of "living water" (verse 10).

She points out that Jesus has no means to draw water from the well, which is deep, expressing skepticism about His ability to provide the promised living water.

The "living water" mentioned here has a literal sense, referring to the fresh, running water as opposed to stale or still water.

However, it also has a deeper, metaphorical meaning, symbolizing the spiritual sustenance and eternal life that Jesus offers.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 4:1-42 describes Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, which is significant within the context of the Jewish and Samaritan relationship at that time.

Jews and Samaritans had a long history of mutual enmity and religious disagreements.

The well mentioned is traditionally considered to be Jacob's well, located near Sychar in Samaria.

This account not only illustrates a cultural exchange that defied societal norms but also presents a teaching moment where Jesus reveals His identity as the Messiah and speaks of spiritual truths.

Theological Insights

Theological interpretations of this verse vary.

From a Christian standpoint, it often emphasizes Jesus' role as the provider of spiritual nourishment.

The "living water" is frequently seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit or salvation that Jesus provides.

Another viewpoint may take the "living water" as a metaphor for divine wisdom or knowledge imparted by Jesus, which leads to eternal life.

This conversation also foreshadows the global mission of the church to spread the gospel beyond traditional Jewish boundaries, indicating that salvation is available to all, including Samaritans.

Practical Applications

The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman can be applied to everyday life in several ways.

It encourages individuals to look beyond the surface and to recognize the spiritual needs of oneself and others.

Just as the woman misconstrued living water to be physical rather than spiritual, people today may also mistake their deepest needs for material or temporal ones.

The passage can also inspire believers to break cultural barriers and reach out to those who are different, offering the message of hope and salvation without discrimination.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 2:13 – "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
Isaiah 44:3 – "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."
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: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "living water" translates to "ζῶν ὕδωρ" (zōn hydor). "ζῶν" (zōn) is the present active participle of "ζάω" (zaō), meaning "to live" or "alive," and "ὕδωρ" (hydor) means "water." In the context of the time, "living water" was a term used for fresh, running water, such as that from a river or spring, as opposed to stagnant or well water.

This term, rich in meaning, serves as a symbol for the revitalizing and essential nature of the spiritual life Jesus offers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of "living water" is not unique to Christianity.

In various ancient cultures and religions, water often symbolizes life, purity, and renewal.

For instance, in Jewish tradition, "mayim chayim" (living water) was used for ritual purification.

Similarly, Hinduism acknowledges the cleansing power of the holy river Ganges, and in Islam, the Zamzam well is believed to be a source of blessed water.

Thus, the motif of water as a source of life has deep roots in human culture and religious consciousness.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, water is essential for physical life; it sustains the body's vital processes.

By analogy, "living water" in a spiritual sense could be corresponding to elements that are essential for psychological and spiritual well-being, such as purpose, love, and hope.

The deep well in the narrative may hint at the depth of human soul or consciousness and the effort sometimes required to access sustenance for these non-material needs.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various perspectives on John 4:11.

William Barclay notes the woman's literal understanding of Jesus' offer and her skepticism given the practical situation at the well.

D.A.

Carson points to the irony in the woman's question, as Jesus is indeed the source of the spiritual living water she is unaware of.

Matthew Henry highlights the misunderstanding as an opportunity for Jesus to reveal spiritual truths.

These commentaries emphasize the encounter as a transformative moment that pivots from a discussion about physical needs to one about spiritual fulfillment.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:11 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 4:11 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?