John 7:38

KJV

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that believeth {G4100} on {G1519} me {G1691}, as {G2531} the scripture {G1124} hath said {G2036}, out of {G1537} his {G846} belly {G2836} shall flow {G4482} rivers {G4215} of living {G2198} water {G5204}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!”

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

American Standard Version

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 7:38, Jesus issues a profound invitation and promise during the Feast of Tabernacles, declaring that those who believe in Him will become conduits of an inexhaustible spiritual supply. This verse encapsulates the transformative power of faith, illustrating how the indwelling Holy Spirit not only satisfies the believer's deepest spiritual thirst but also empowers them to become a source of life-giving refreshment for others, fulfilling ancient prophecies of divine outpouring.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration by Jesus is strategically placed at the climax of the [Feast of Tabernacles](/john/7-2 "John 7:2 - Feast of Tabernacles"), a significant Jewish festival. The preceding verse, [John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to the Thirsty"), sets the stage, depicting Jesus standing in the temple courts on the "last day, that great day of the feast," and crying out, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Verse 38 then expands on the glorious outcome of such faith, detailing the internal abundance that will flow. Crucially, [John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit as Living Water") immediately clarifies Jesus' meaning, explaining that He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him would receive, but who had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. This immediate clarification by the evangelist is vital for understanding the spiritual nature of the "living water."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was a joyous eight-day harvest festival, commemorating God's provision for Israel in the wilderness and looking forward to the messianic age. A central ritual on each day (except the Sabbath) involved a procession to the Pool of Siloam, where priests would draw water in a golden pitcher and carry it back to the Temple. This water was then poured out at the altar, accompanied by trumpet blasts and shouts of joy, symbolizing prayers for rain for the coming agricultural year and recalling God's miraculous provision of water from the rock in the wilderness (e.g., [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1-7 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")). It was likely during this very ceremony, or immediately after it, that Jesus made His dramatic pronouncement, drawing a direct parallel between the physical water and the spiritual "living water" He offered, positioning Himself as the ultimate source of divine refreshment.

* **Key Themes:** John 7:38 contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It reinforces the theme of **Jesus as the ultimate source of life and satisfaction**, echoing His earlier conversation with the Samaritan woman in [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water to the Samaritan Woman"), where He introduced Himself as the one who gives "living water" that quenches all thirst. The "rivers of living water" directly symbolize the **Holy Spirit**, emphasizing His life-giving, purifying, and empowering presence within believers, a theme further developed in [John 14-16](/john/14 "John 14 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter"). The phrase "as the scripture hath said" highlights the theme of **prophetic fulfillment**, asserting that Jesus' ministry and the outpouring of the Spirit are the culmination of Old Testament promises concerning a new covenant and an age of abundant divine presence (e.g., [Isaiah 44:3](/isaiah/44-3 "Isaiah 44:3 - God Pours Water on the Thirsty"), [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit"), [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel 2:28-29 - God's Spirit Poured Out")). Finally, the imagery of "rivers flowing out" underscores the **missional aspect of faith**, where believers are not merely recipients but also channels through whom God's life and blessing are extended to a thirsty world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believeth (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it means "to have faith in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing," and by implication, "to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." In John's Gospel, _pisteúō_ is consistently presented as the essential condition for receiving eternal life and experiencing God's blessings. It denotes a deep, personal reliance and commitment to Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.
* **Belly (Greek, _koilía'_):** From G2836, this term, while literally referring to a "cavity" or the "abdomen," is used figuratively in this context to denote the innermost being, the core of a person's spiritual and emotional life. It is synonymous with the heart, soul, or spirit, indicating that the source of this spiritual outflow is not external but deeply internal, residing within the very essence of the believer.
* **Water (Greek, _hýdōr'_):** From G5204, this word refers to "water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively." Coupled with "living" (G2198, _záō_, meaning "to live, literally or figuratively"), "living water" (Greek, _hýdatos zōntos_) denotes fresh, flowing, dynamic water, as from a spring or river, in contrast to stagnant water. Spiritually, it symbolizes the dynamic, active, and life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, bringing cleansing, renewal, and spiritual vitality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that believeth on me":** This initial clause establishes the prerequisite for the promise. Faith in Jesus is not merely intellectual agreement but a profound, personal trust and commitment to Him as the divine Son and Messiah. It is through this active, living faith that one becomes a recipient of the promised spiritual abundance.
* **"as the scripture hath said":** This phrase is a crucial interpretive key, indicating that Jesus' promise is rooted in and fulfills Old Testament prophetic expectations. While no single Old Testament verse contains this exact phrasing, it synthesizes various prophecies concerning the outpouring of God's Spirit, the establishment of a new covenant, and the flow of life-giving waters from God's presence or from Jerusalem (e.g., [Isaiah 44:3](/isaiah/44-3 "Isaiah 44:3 - God Pours Water on the Thirsty"), [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28 - God's Spirit Poured Out"), [Zechariah 14:8](/zechariah/14-8 "Zechariah 14:8 - Living Waters Flow from Jerusalem"), [Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1-12 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple")). Jesus is presenting Himself as the fulfillment of these long-awaited promises.
* **"out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.":** This climactic declaration describes the glorious outcome of faith. "Belly" (koilía) refers to the innermost being or spirit. The imagery of "rivers of living water" signifies an abundant, inexhaustible, and dynamic spiritual supply, which John 7:39 explicitly identifies as the Holy Spirit. This flow is not merely for personal consumption but implies an outward, overflowing movement, indicating that believers, indwelt by the Spirit, will become channels of divine life, refreshment, and blessing to a thirsty world around them.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:38 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The central symbol is "living water," which, as clarified in [John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit as Living Water"), represents the Holy Spirit. This metaphor evokes ideas of purification, refreshment, and life, drawing on Old Testament imagery of God as the "fountain of living waters" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - God as the Fountain of Living Waters")). The "belly" serves as a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, representing the innermost being or spiritual core of a person, emphasizing the deep, internal source of this divine life. The phrase "rivers of living water" employs **Hyperbole** to convey the extraordinary abundance and inexhaustible nature of the Spirit's presence and outflow, far exceeding a mere trickle or spring. This vivid imagery creates a powerful and memorable promise, emphasizing the transformative and expansive impact of faith in Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:38 stands as a pivotal theological statement, linking the Old Testament's prophetic longing for a new era of divine indwelling with the New Testament's reality of the Holy Spirit's outpouring. It underscores that true spiritual satisfaction and fruitfulness come not from external rituals or human effort, but from a personal, living faith in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate source of all spiritual life. The "rivers of living water" signify the dynamic, empowering, and sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit, who not only cleanses and refreshes the individual believer but also transforms them into a channel through whom God's grace and truth flow out to others. This verse thus anticipates the Day of Pentecost and the subsequent mission of the church, where believers, filled with the Spirit, would become agents of God's life-giving presence in the world.

* [Isaiah 58:11](/isaiah/58-11 "Isaiah 58:11 - God will guide you continually")
* [Zechariah 14:8](/zechariah/14-8 "Zechariah 14:8 - Living waters flowing from Jerusalem")
* [Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1-12 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:38 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It reminds us that the Christian life is meant to be one of overflowing spiritual vitality, not spiritual dryness or stagnation. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, who becomes an inexhaustible spring within us, providing constant refreshment, guidance, and empowerment. This "living water" is not merely for our personal consumption; it is designed to flow out of us, transforming us into conduits of God's love, truth, and power to a thirsty world. This calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, allowing the Spirit to fill and direct us, so that our lives might genuinely impact those around us with the life-giving presence of God. Are we actively drawing from this wellspring, and are we allowing it to flow freely through us to others?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "believing on me" practically look like in your daily life, and how does it connect to receiving the "living water"?**
* **In what ways have you experienced the "rivers of living water" flowing out of your "innermost being" to bless others?**
* **How can you intentionally yield more fully to the Holy Spirit to allow His life-giving flow to impact your sphere of influence?**
* **What "thirsts" in your community or among your acquaintances could be met by the "living water" flowing through you?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "as the scripture hath said"?**

Answer: Jesus is referring to the cumulative witness of the Old Testament prophets and their promises concerning a future outpouring of God's Spirit and the establishment of a new covenant characterized by divine presence and abundance. While no single verse in the Old Testament uses the exact phrase "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," the concept is a synthesis of various prophecies. For example, [Isaiah 44:3](/isaiah/44-3 "Isaiah 44:3 - God Pours Water on the Thirsty") speaks of God pouring water on the thirsty and floods on dry ground, symbolizing the Spirit. [Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1-12 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple") describes a life-giving river flowing from the temple, bringing healing and fruitfulness wherever it goes. [Zechariah 14:8](/zechariah/14-8 "Zechariah 14:8 - Living Waters Flow from Jerusalem") foretells living waters flowing from Jerusalem. Jesus is declaring that He is the fulfillment of these long-awaited spiritual realities, and the "living water" is the Holy Spirit, whom He would send after His glorification ([John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit Not Yet Given")).

**Is the "belly" a literal reference to the stomach?**

Answer: No, in this context, "belly" (Greek: _koilía_) is not a literal reference to the physical stomach. Rather, it is a common biblical idiom, particularly in Hebrew thought, for the innermost being, the core of a person's spiritual and emotional life. It refers to the heart, soul, or spirit—the deepest part of one's personhood. Therefore, Jesus is communicating that the Holy Spirit will dwell deeply within the believer, becoming an internal, inexhaustible source of spiritual life and blessing that flows from their very essence.

**How does this promise relate to the Day of Pentecost?**

Answer: John 7:38 is a direct prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was dramatically fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"). Prior to Jesus' glorification (His death, resurrection, and ascension), the Holy Spirit had not yet been given in this full, indwelling, and empowering sense ([John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit Not Yet Given Because Jesus Was Not Yet Glorified")). After Jesus ascended to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to speak in other tongues, boldly proclaim the gospel, and live lives empowered by divine presence. The "rivers of living water" began to flow out of the disciples, transforming them into powerful witnesses for Christ and establishing the church as a community indwelt and empowered by the Spirit, extending God's life to the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 7:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the singular source of this "living water," and in His redemptive work that made the outpouring of the Holy Spirit possible. Jesus, standing in the temple, the symbolic dwelling place of God, declares that He is the true temple from whom life-giving waters flow, a profound reinterpretation of [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple"). His invitation to "come unto me, and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to the Thirsty")) establishes Him as the exclusive conduit to this divine supply. The crucial clarification in [John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit Not Yet Given") reveals that the "living water" is the Holy Spirit, who could only be given _after_ Jesus was glorified through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Thus, the "rivers of living water" are the direct result of Christ's finished work on the cross, His victory over sin and death, and His enthronement at the Father's right hand. It is through His sacrifice that the way was opened for God's Spirit to indwell believers, transforming them into new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and empowering them to be His witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")). The promise of John 7:38 is therefore a testament to Christ's ongoing reign and His continuous provision of the Spirit, enabling His church to be a dynamic, life-giving force in a parched world, flowing with the very life of God.

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.

Isaiah 58:11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

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:

Isaiah 12:3

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

John 4:10

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.

Proverbs 10:11

¶ The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Zechariah 14:8

¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.