John 4:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto her {G846}, If {G1487} thou knewest {G1492} the gift {G1431} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} who {G5101} it is {G2076} that saith {G3004} to thee {G4671}, Give {G1325} me {G3427} to drink {G4095}; thou {G4771} wouldest {G302} have asked {G154} of him {G846}, and {G2532} he would {G302} have given {G1325} thee {G4671} living {G2198} water {G5204}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered her, “If you knew God’s gift, that is, who it is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink of water,’ then you would have asked him; and he would have given you living water.”

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 4:10, Jesus engages the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, shifting the conversation from a request for physical water to a profound revelation of spiritual truth. He introduces the concepts of "the gift of God" and "living water," implying His divine identity as the sole provider of true spiritual satisfaction and eternal life, thereby inviting the woman to recognize her deeper spiritual thirst and to ask Him for the sustenance only He can provide.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman, following His unexpected request for a drink in [John 4:7](/john/4-7 "John 4:7 - Jesus Asks for Water"). The woman's surprise in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Samaritan Woman's Surprise") at a Jew speaking to a Samaritan, especially a woman, sets the stage for Jesus' profound theological redirection. He moves from the mundane need for physical water to the spiritual reality of a divine "gift" and "living water," establishing Himself as the giver of something far superior to the well water. This statement initiates a dialogue that progressively reveals Jesus' identity and the nature of true worship, culminating in the woman's evangelistic testimony to her village.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The interaction at Jacob's well in Sychar was highly unusual given the deep-seated animosity and religious schism between Jews and Samaritans, stemming from centuries of political and religious differences (e.g., dispute over the proper place of worship, [John 4:20](/john/4-20 "John 4:20 - The Place of Worship")). Jewish custom also discouraged a rabbi from speaking to a woman in public, especially one of questionable reputation like the Samaritan woman. The term "living water" (Greek: *hudōr zōon*) in this context would have been understood literally as fresh, flowing spring water, highly prized over stagnant cistern water. Jesus leverages this common understanding to introduce a spiritual reality, challenging the woman's conventional worldview and the societal barriers of the time.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:10 introduces several central themes developed throughout the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, as Jesus subtly begins to reveal His true identity as the Messiah and the source of eternal life. The verse also establishes a stark **Contrast Between the Physical and Spiritual**, moving beyond literal thirst and water to humanity's deeper spiritual needs and God's provision. It underscores the theme of **Salvation for All**, as Jesus intentionally engages a Samaritan woman, breaking down ethnic and social barriers to extend the offer of salvation. Furthermore, the "living water" metaphor points to the **Gift of the Holy Spirit** and **Eternal Life**, which are central to the new covenant established through Christ, as further elaborated in passages like [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knewest (Greek, _eídō_):** This verb, often translated as "to see," carries the implication in its perfect tense of "to know" or "to understand" in a deep, experiential sense, not merely intellectual acquaintance. Jesus suggests that if the woman possessed true insight into God's nature and His own identity, her response would be fundamentally different. Her current ignorance prevents her from perceiving the profound spiritual reality before her.
* **gift (Greek, _dōreá_):** Derived from *dōron* (a gift), *dōreá* specifically denotes a gratuity, something freely bestowed without expectation of return or merit. This emphasizes the gracious, unearned nature of what God offers. In this context, "the gift of God" is multifaceted, referring ultimately to Jesus Himself as the embodiment of God's grace, and the spiritual life and Holy Spirit He provides.
* **living (Greek, _záō_):** This word means "to live" or "life-giving." When applied to water (*hýdōr*), it describes water that is fresh, flowing, and actively life-sustaining, as from a spring or river, in contrast to stagnant water. Spiritually, it signifies water that imparts life, specifically eternal life and spiritual vitality, contrasting with the temporary satisfaction of physical water.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered and said unto her,"**: This phrase highlights Jesus' initiative in the conversation. He doesn't just respond to her surprise but strategically shifts the dialogue, demonstrating His divine purpose and control over the interaction.
* **"If thou knewest the gift of God,"**: Jesus introduces a hypothetical condition, pointing to the woman's fundamental ignorance. "The gift of God" is a profound theological concept, encompassing God's gracious provision for humanity's deepest needs, ultimately personified in Jesus Christ Himself.
* **"and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink;"**: This clause subtly reveals Jesus' veiled identity. He is not merely a thirsty Jewish traveler but the one who possesses the ultimate gift. He contrasts His humble request for physical water with His true nature as the source of spiritual life, setting up the revelation that He is the one who can give.
* **"thou wouldest have asked of him,"**: This indicates the necessary human response to divine revelation: recognition, desire, and active petition. The woman's lack of knowledge prevents her from asking for what she truly needs, implying that spiritual seeking stems from spiritual understanding.
* **"and he would have given thee living water."**: This is the climactic promise. The "living water" is the spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers, symbolizing eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and the complete satisfaction of the soul. It is a gift freely given to those who recognize and ask the true Giver.

#### Literary Devices
John 4:10 is rich in **Metaphor**, with "living water" serving as the central extended metaphor for spiritual life, the Holy Spirit, and eternal salvation. This contrasts sharply with the literal "water" from the well, creating a powerful **Juxtaposition** between physical and spiritual realities. The verse also employs **Irony**, as Jesus, the ultimate source of spiritual life, begins by asking for a drink of physical water from a woman who is spiritually impoverished. Furthermore, the structure "If thou knewest... thou wouldest have asked... and he would have given" functions as a **Conditional Statement**, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between spiritual understanding, asking, and receiving. This rhetorical approach serves to challenge the woman's perception and draw her into a deeper spiritual inquiry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:10 is a foundational statement about God's initiative in offering salvation and the unique role of Jesus Christ as the source of eternal life. The "gift of God" speaks to God's sovereign grace, freely bestowing what humanity desperately needs but cannot earn. This gift is intrinsically linked to Jesus Himself, who embodies God's redemptive purpose. The "living water" metaphor connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual thirst and divine provision, signifying the Holy Spirit and the eternal life that permanently satisfies the soul's deepest longings, unlike any worldly substitute. It highlights that true fulfillment comes only through a relationship with Christ, who offers an unending supply of spiritual refreshment.

* [Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - Invitation to Water")
* [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water")
* [Revelation 22:17](/revelation/22-17 "Revelation 22:17 - The Invitation to the Water of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:10 serves as a profound invitation to introspection, urging us to consider the true nature of our deepest desires and where we seek satisfaction. Just as the Samaritan woman was focused on physical water, we often pursue worldly achievements, material possessions, or fleeting pleasures, believing they will quench our inner thirst. Yet, Jesus reveals that only He can provide the "living water" that truly satisfies, offering eternal life and spiritual refreshment that never runs dry. This verse challenges us to acknowledge our inherent spiritual need, to recognize Jesus as the divine source of life, and to actively "ask" Him for the spiritual sustenance only He can provide. It's a call to shift our focus from temporary fixes to the eternal wellspring of God's grace, leading to a life of true fulfillment and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wells" am I currently drawing from in my life that do not truly satisfy my deepest longings?**
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' identity impact my willingness to "ask" Him for spiritual refreshment?**
* **In what practical ways can I seek and receive the "living water" that Jesus offers in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is "the gift of God" in John 4:10?**

Answer: In John 4:10, "the gift of God" (Greek: *dōreá*) refers primarily to Jesus Christ Himself, who is God's ultimate and freely given provision for humanity's salvation. Secondarily, it encompasses the spiritual blessings that flow from Him, most notably the "living water" of eternal life and the Holy Spirit. This concept underscores God's gracious initiative in offering salvation and spiritual satisfaction to a world that is spiritually thirsty. It highlights that this divine offering is not earned but is a gratuity, freely bestowed by God.

**What does "living water" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: "Living water" (Greek: *hudōr zōon*) is a rich metaphor with multiple layers of meaning. Literally, it refers to fresh, flowing spring water, which was highly valued for its purity and life-sustaining properties, in contrast to stagnant water from a cistern. Spiritually, Jesus uses it to symbolize the eternal life and the Holy Spirit that He alone can provide. This "water" permanently quenches spiritual thirst, offering continuous refreshment, spiritual vitality, and a deep, abiding satisfaction that worldly pursuits cannot provide. The connection to the Holy Spirit is explicitly made later in [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water"), where Jesus declares that those who believe in Him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them, referring to the Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:10 powerfully unveils Jesus as the unique and ultimate source of spiritual life, fulfilling the deep longings of the human heart that no earthly provision can satisfy. He is implicitly "the gift of God" (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), the embodiment of divine grace freely given to a lost world. The "living water" He offers is not merely a metaphor for abstract spiritual concepts but points directly to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, poured out upon believers after His glorification (cf. [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water"); [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - The Spirit Poured Out")). Jesus, by engaging the Samaritan woman—a social and religious outcast—demonstrates His mission to extend salvation beyond the confines of Jewish tradition, prefiguring the universal scope of the Gospel (cf. [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles")). His offer of life-giving water fulfills ancient prophetic promises of spiritual refreshment for the thirsty (cf. [Isaiah 44:3](/isaiah/44-3 "Isaiah 44:3 - Water for the Thirsty")), revealing Him as the true Messiah who brings everlasting satisfaction to all who come to Him (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

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.

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:

John 7:37

¶ 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.

John 7:39

(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.)

Revelation 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Psalms 36:8

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.