John 7

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

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.)

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

So there was a division among the people because of him.

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

And every man went unto his own house.

What does John 7:38 mean?

Explanation

This verse, spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John, expresses a profound spiritual promise.

The phrase "He that believeth on me" refers to anyone who places their faith in Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Messiah and Son of God.

According to Jesus, such faith results in an indwelling spiritual presence, symbolized by "rivers of living water." This metaphorical water signifies an abundant, ongoing supply of life, grace, and spiritual nourishment that flows from within the believer.

It also implies a transformative power, creating an inexhaustible source of spiritual vitality that is linked to eternal life.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 7:38 was spoken during the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths), a Jewish festival that celebrated the autumn harvest and commemorated the Israelite's journey through the wilderness when God provided water for them from a rock (Exodus 17:6).

During this feast, it was customary to pour out water as an offering, symbolizing the hope for rain and the recalling of God's past provision.

Jesus' statement would have been particularly impactful in this context, as He was essentially saying that He is the source of the spiritual sustenance that the physical water represented.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse has been interpreted to refer to the Holy Spirit, who is often symbolized by water throughout the Bible. The "living water" is thought to represent the new life and the Spirit that believers receive upon faith in Christ.

Theologians from various traditions may emphasize different aspects, some might focus on the personal transformation and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, while others might highlight the outpouring of spiritual gifts and the believer's role in sharing the gospel.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by recognizing that believers are called to be conduits of God's love and grace to others.

Just as living water is refreshing and life-giving, so too can Christians be sources of refreshment and life to those around them through their words, actions, and prayers.

This encourages believers to remain connected to Christ, fostering spiritual growth and vitality, as well as to serve others selflessly.

Cross-References

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:"
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."
John 4:14: "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."

Language Study

The key phrase "living water" (Greek: ζῶν ὕδωρ, zōn hydor) is significant.

The word "living" (ζῶν) often conveys something active, dynamic, and life-giving.

"Water" (ὕδωρ) is a necessity for physical life and herein symbolizes a spiritual reality essential for spiritual life. Together, they imply a source of sustenance that is continually renewing, unlike stagnant or dead water.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, water was a powerful symbol of life and fertility in many cultures. For example, in Mesopotamian mythology, water was affiliated with creation and the sustenance of life. In various religious interpretations, water can be a metaphor for wisdom, knowledge, or divine presence.

The concept of "living water" in John 7:38 elevates this universal idea to express a particular divine source of spiritual life in the Christian faith.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 7:38 is rich with symbolic and theological meaning, it doesn't intersect directly with scientific understandings, as it deals with spiritual rather than physical realities.

However, the concept of water as a source of life is well-grounded in science; water is essential for all known forms of life and offers an interesting parallel to the spiritual truth being conveyed.

commentaries

Biblical commentators offer various insights into this verse.

Matthew Henry views it as a promise of the Spirit that was to be mainly fulfilled after Christ's ascension.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the 'rivers of living water' symbolize the inexhaustible supply of the Spirit's graces and comforts to the soul.

Others see the historical context of the Feast of Tabernacles as key to understanding the meaning, Christ as the fulfillment of the feast's symbolism.

Contemporary scholars often emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life as a source of ongoing spiritual empowerment and service to the world.

John 7

John 7

What does John 7:38 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 7:38 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?