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 4:15 mean?

Explanation

In this verse, the woman of Samaria is speaking to Jesus during a significant moment at Jacob's well.

Jesus had asked her for a drink, and in the course of their conversation, He revealed that He could offer her "living water." The woman, interpreting His statement literally rather than spiritually, expresses her interest in this water.

She desires to have it so that she won't physically thirst anymore or have to return to the well to draw water.

This reflects a common biblical theme, where physical needs and concerns are used to illustrate spiritual truths.

The "living water" symbolizes the eternal life and spiritual satisfaction that Jesus offers.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman takes place in the region of Samaria, near the town of Sychar.

Samaritans and Jews typically had strained relations due to historical and religious differences.

The well itself is historically significant, believed to be the well given to Joseph by his father Jacob, making it a place of cultural and ancestral importance.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse illustrates the difference between temporary, worldly solutions and the eternal solution that Jesus offers.

In traditional Christian theology, "living water" is often interpreted as a metaphor for the salvation and the Holy Spirit, which quench the spiritual thirst of human beings.

This interaction also highlights Jesus' readiness to break social barriers of the time by speaking to a Samaritan woman, emphasizing the universal nature of His message.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can remind us to seek fulfillment not just in transient, physical things but in deeper, spiritual experiences.

It encourages people to look beyond the immediate and apparent, to contemplate the eternal gifts that faith can offer.

Applying this teaching, individuals are invited to cultivate an inner life that finds contentment and purpose beyond the material world.

Cross-References

John 4:10: "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."
John 7:38-39: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Isaiah 55:1: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
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

The term "living water" (ζῶν ὕδωρ in Greek) in this context is pertinent. "ζῶν" is a form of the word "ζάω," meaning "living," which conveys vitality, movement, or being alive. "ὕδωρ" is the Greek word for "water." When combined, the term "living water" in Ancient Near Eastern thought often refers to flowing water such as a river or stream, as opposed to stagnant or still water, like that found in a well or cistern.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including that of the Near East, water is viewed as a source of life and often carries spiritual significance.

Comparable ideas can be found in various mythologies where water is symbolic of cleansing, rebirth, and divine provision.

In Judaism, the concept of "mayim chayim," or "living water," was used for ritual purification, suggesting an element of spiritual renewal.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the human body, being approximately 60% water, requires consistent hydration to maintain health.

The description of water as "living" might be seen metaphorically as emphasizing the essential role of water for life, as well as the necessity for the human spirit to find a source of ongoing nourishment and renewal, much like the body's need for water.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have provided commentaries on this verse.

Some emphasize the significant shift from Jewish to Samaritan ministry, indicating the expansion of Jesus' mission.

Many highlight the theme of misunderstanding that runs through the story, where Jesus uses everyday needs to point to spiritual realities.

Others comment on the profound symbolic meaning behind Jesus' offer of "living water," interpreting it as a signpost to the messianic identity of Jesus and the spiritual life He imparts.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:15 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 4:15 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?