John 4:14
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The most profound truth here is that the "water" Jesus offers isn't just a temporary fix; it becomes an internal spring that continuously refreshes and sustains us. This isn't about stopping all desire, but about having a divine source within that satisfies every holy longing as it arises, leading us into eternal life.
Jesus is speaking with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, and the conversation has shifted from a physical request for water to a deeper spiritual exchange. Having just pointed out her complicated marital history, Jesus now offers her a radically different kind of "water" than what she came to draw from the well. This offer of water, which will satisfy thirst forever and become an eternal spring within her, is the core of Jesus' revelation to her in this moment.
Jesus uses a simple, everyday need—thirst—to point to something profoundly spiritual. But what exactly is this 'water' He offers?
Jesus isn't talking about literal water here. He's using a powerful metaphor to describe the life-giving presence and power of God's Spirit and His saving grace.
The promise isn't just about being satisfied; it's about having an internal, overflowing source of life. What does that practically mean?
Jesus's promise goes beyond a one-time drink of satisfaction. He describes a dynamic, internal reality that continuously nourishes and sustains.
Understand the original words
aiōnios zōē · Greek Noun phrase
The life of the age to come, which is the gift of God through Jesus Christ, characterized by communion with God that begins now and extends into eternity.
pēgē · Greek Noun
A fountain or stream of water that constantly overflows; symbolically representing the inner, abiding presence and influence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
This passage echoes Jesus' invitation, calling all who are thirsty to come and drink, emphasizing that God's provision is freely available and satisfying, just as Jesus offers living water.
Jeremiah 2:13This verse condemns the people for abandoning the 'fountain of living waters' (God's presence and provision) for broken cisterns (worldly substitutes), paralleling Jesus' contrast between His life-giving water and the temporary satisfaction of the well.
John 7:37-39Jesus directly references this same imagery, promising that rivers of living water (the Holy Spirit) will flow from believers, further explaining the internal, life-giving source that He offers.
Romans 8:9-11This passage highlights that believers have the Spirit of God dwelling within them, which brings life and is the source of spiritual vitality, aligning with Jesus' description of the water becoming a spring within.
Revelation 21:6This verse in Revelation reiterates the promise of satisfaction from God, offering the 'water of life freely' to the thirsty, connecting the earthly, immediate promise in John to the ultimate, eternal fulfillment.
barnesJohn 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."
The water that I shall give him - Jesus here refers, without doubt, to his own teaching, his "grace," his "spirit," and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces his gospel. It is a striking image, and especially in Eastern countries, where there are vast deserts, and often a great want of…
calvinJohn 4:10-15: "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."
- Jesus answered and said to her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11. The woman saith to him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; whenc…
The most profound truth here is that the "water" Jesus offers isn't just a temporary fix; it becomes an internal spring that continuously refreshes and sustains us. This isn't about stopping all desire, but about having a divine source within that satisfies every holy longing as it arises, leading us into eternal life.
Jesus is speaking with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, and the conversation has shifted from a physical request for water to a deeper spiritual exchange. Having just pointed out her complicated marital history, Jesus now offers her a radically different kind of "water" than what she came to draw from the well. This offer of water, which will satisfy thirst forever and become an eternal spring within her, is the core of Jesus' revelation to her in this moment.
Jesus is speaking with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, and the conversation has shifted from a physical request for water to a deeper spiritual exchange. Having just pointed out her complicated marital history, Jesus now offers her a radically different kind of "water" than what she came to draw from the well. This offer of water, which will satisfy thirst forever and become an eternal spring within her, is the core of Jesus' revelation to her in this moment.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 4:14 is available in the Sola app.
"but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”" — The most profound truth here is that the "water" Jesus offers isn't just a temporary fix; it becomes an internal spring that continuously refreshes and sustains us. This isn't about stopping all de…
