Keraia
John 4

John 4:10

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman · John 4:1–26
Read John 4

Translations

Modern
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is saying to you, ‘Give to Me to drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given to you living water.”
Latin
Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei: Si scires donum Dei, et quis est qui dicit tibi: Da mihi bibere, tu forsitan petisses ab eo, et dedisset tibi aquam vivam.

Interlinear

Greek
English
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Notes

John 4:10

Shechem had no rivers. So it had no living water, which usually means fresh, flowing water from a stream or spring (see “Living Water” Theme Note). However, Jesus was speaking symbolically. The gift he offered was not ordinary water. It was the Holy Spirit, whom God would give to believers (7:37–39).

John 4:1–42

  • At an ancient well in Samaria, Jesus offered himself as living water. This living water means the life that comes from God. Jesus spoke openly about who he was. When he revealed God’s truth, people had to respond. They either followed him or turned away.

  • The Samaritan woman is very different from Nicodemus. She was a woman, not a man. She was a Samaritan, not a Jew. She had a sinful past, not a reputation for righteousness. She was an outsider, not a respected teacher of Israel.

    Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and did not openly respond to the challenges from Jesus (3:1–21). The Samaritan woman spoke with Jesus in the daylight. She recognized him as Lord. She remained in the light and showed signs of becoming a disciple (see 1:35–51).

Events

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Disease Eternal Life History of Israel Jacob’s Well Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Samaritans Spirit of God Sychar Well Worship

Topics

Answers To Prayer: Christ Gives Blindness: Spiritual Gifts from God: Spiritual: Christ, the Saviour Jacob: The Well of Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Gift of God Jesus, the Christ: Visits Sychar and Teaches the Samaritan Woman Need Prayer: Answer To, Promise Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning Samaria: Country of: Jesus Travels Through Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Jesus Visits; Disciples Made In The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Christ the Chief of Water: Water of Salvation Well of Water