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?
The woman {G1135} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Sir {G2962}, thou hast {G2192} nothing {G3777} to draw with {G502}, and {G2532} the well {G5421} is {G2076} deep {G901}: from whence {G4159} then {G3767} hast thou {G2192} that living {G2198} water {G5204}?
She said to him, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket, and the well is deep; so where do you get this ‘living water’?
“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water?
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?
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1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. -
John 3:4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
In John 4:11, we find the Samaritan woman's response to Jesus's offer of "living water." Her words reveal a fundamental misunderstanding, rooted in her immediate physical perception of the situation.
Context
This verse is part of the pivotal encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar. Jesus, weary from his journey, had just asked her for a drink, breaking social conventions. In the preceding verse (John 4:10), Jesus introduced the concept of "living water," implying a spiritual gift. The woman, however, interprets his words literally, focusing on the practical challenges: Jesus has no bucket or rope, and the well is deep, making it impossible for him to draw physical water.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "living water" accurately translates the Greek hudōr zōn (ὕδωρ ζῶν). While in a literal sense it means "running" or "flowing water" (as opposed to stagnant water in a cistern), in a spiritual and prophetic context, it consistently signifies the life-giving presence of God and the Holy Spirit. The woman's confusion stems from her failure to grasp this deeper, spiritual meaning, assuming Jesus refers to the literal water of the well.
Related Scriptures
This dialogue sets the stage for Jesus to explain the transformative power of the true "living water." He later promises that whoever drinks of it will never thirst again. This concept echoes other passages where Jesus presents himself as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance, such as when he declares, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." The promise of "rivers of living water" flowing from believers is also later given, referring to the Holy Spirit.
Practical Application
The woman's initial misunderstanding serves as a powerful reminder for us. Often, we too approach spiritual truths with a literal or worldly mindset, failing to perceive the deeper, divine reality. This verse encourages us to look beyond the physical means and human limitations, recognizing that God's provision and spiritual gifts operate on a different plane. It challenges us to ask not "how will you draw it?" but "what is this living water?" and to open our hearts to the spiritual sustenance that only Jesus can provide.