God & Savior

John 4:10-15

10Jesus 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.” 11“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? 12Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
John 4:10-15
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Study notes

Verse 14

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst; it becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Explanation

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (4:4-13). She thinks of ordinary water, but Jesus speaks of the life He gives. Later in John, flowing water pictures the Holy Spirit (7:37-39).

Original language
  • ὕδατος (hudatos): water
    Greek · Noun, genitive, singular, neuter · Strong's G5204 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Water.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 7

  • διψήσει (dipsēsei): to thirst
    Greek · Verb, future, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · Strong's G1372 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Will thirst.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 14

  • πηγὴ (pēgē): flow
    Greek · Noun, nominative, singular, feminine · Strong's G4077 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Spring, fountain.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 27

  • ἁλλομένου (hallomenou): to spring
    Greek · Verb, present, middle or passive (deponent), participle, genitive, singular, neuter · Strong's G0242 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Welling up, leaping up.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 29

  • ζωὴν (zōēn): life
    Greek · Noun, accusative, singular, feminine · Strong's G2222 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Life.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 31

  • αἰώνιον (aiōnion): eternal
    Greek · Adjective, accusative, singular, feminine · Strong's G0166 · text: NA28 (as recorded in TAGNT)

    Eternal.

    Source: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, Cambridge), TAGNT: Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament, STEPBible-Data commit ed476a8, John 4:14, word 32

Places
  • Sychar
    From the surrounding passage · Location: unknown

    Setting from John 4:5.

    A town in Samaria near Jacob's well.

Cross-references
  • John 7:37-39 · Same theme

    Rivers of living water: the Spirit.

  • Isaiah 55:1 · Background

    Come, all you who are thirsty.

  • Revelation 22:17 · Same theme

    Let the one who is thirsty come and take the water of life.

Sources

Original language and places

Reference data from open datasets, shown as published by their sources. Word-by-word English is a literal guide, not a translation.

Verse 10

Original language (Greek)

Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· εἰ ᾔδεις τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ λέγων σοι· δός μοι πεῖν, σὺ ἂν ᾔτησας αὐτὸν καὶ ἔδωκεν ἄν σοι ὕδωρ ζῶν.

  1. ἈπεκρίθηApekrithē“Answered”
    Verb, aorist, middle (deponent), indicative, 3rd person singular · from ἀποκρίνω · “to answer” · Strong's G0611
  2. ἸησοῦςIēsous“Jesus”
    Noun, nominative, singular, masculine · “Jesus/Joshua” · Strong's G2424G
  3. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  4. εἶπενeipen“said”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from ἔπω, ἐρῶ, εἶπον · “to say” · Strong's G2036
  5. αὐτῇ·autēa“to her;”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, feminine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  6. εἰei“If”
    Conditional · “if” · Strong's G1487G
  7. ᾔδειςēdeis“you had known”
    Verb, 2nd pluperfect, active, indicative, 2nd person singular · from εἴδω · “to perceive” · Strong's G1492I
  8. τὴνtēn“the”
    Article, accusative, singular, feminine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  9. δωρεὰνdōrean“gift”
    Noun, accusative, singular, feminine · from δωρεά · “free gift” · Strong's G1431
  10. τοῦtou“<the>”
    Article, genitive, singular, masculine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  11. θεοῦtheou“of God”
    Noun, genitive, singular, masculine · from θεός · “God” · Strong's G2316
  12. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  13. τίςtis“who”
    Interrogative pronoun, nominative, singular, masculine · “which?” · Strong's G5101
  14. ἐστινestin“it is”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from εἰμί · “to be” · Strong's G1510
  15. ὁho“who”
    Article, nominative, singular, masculine · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  16. λέγωνlegōn“is saying”
    Verb, present, active, participle, nominative, singular, masculine · from λέγω · “to speak” · Strong's G3004G
  17. σοι·soi“to you;”
    Personal pronoun, 2nd person, dative, singular · from σύ · “you” · Strong's G4771
  18. δόςdos“do give”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, imperative, 2nd person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  19. μοιmoi“Me”
    Personal pronoun, 1st person, dative, singular · from ἐγώ · “I/we” · Strong's G3165
  20. πεῖν,pein“to drink,”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, infinitive · from πίνω · “to drink” · Strong's G4095
  21. σὺsu“you yourself”
    Personal pronoun, 2nd person, nominative, singular · from σύ · “you” · Strong's G4771
  22. ἂνan“then would”
    Particle · from ἄν · “if” · Strong's G0302
  23. ᾔτησαςētēsas“you have asked”
    Verb, aorist, active, indicative, 2nd person singular · from αἰτέω · “to ask” · Strong's G0154
  24. αὐτὸνauton“Him”
    Personal pronoun, accusative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  25. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  26. ἔδωκενedōken“He gave”
    Verb, aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  27. ἄνan“maybe”
    Particle · “if” · Strong's G0302
  28. σοιsoi“to you”
    Personal pronoun, 2nd person, dative, singular · from σύ · “you” · Strong's G4771
  29. ὕδωρhudōr“water”
    Noun, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  30. ζῶν.zōn“living.”
    Verb, present, active, participle, accusative, singular, neuter · from ζάω · “to live” · Strong's G2198

Verse 11

Original language (Greek)

λέγει αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· κύριε, οὔτε ἄντλημα ἔχεις, καὶ τὸ φρέαρ ἐστὶν βαθύ· πόθεν οὖν ἔχεις τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ζῶν;

  1. λέγειlegei“Says”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from λέγω · “to speak” · Strong's G3004G
  2. αὐτῷautō“to Him”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  3. ἡhē“the”
    Article, nominative, singular, feminine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  4. γυνή·gunē“woman:”
    Noun, nominative, singular, feminine · from γυνή · “woman” · Strong's G1135G
  5. κύριε,kurie“Sir,”
    Noun, vocative, singular, masculine · from κύριος · “lord” · Strong's G2962H
  6. οὔτεoute“nothing”
    Conjunction, nominative · “neither” · Strong's G3777
  7. ἄντλημαantlēma“to draw with”
    Noun, accusative, singular, neuter · “bucket” · Strong's G0502
  8. ἔχεις,echeis“You have,”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 2nd person singular · from ἔχω · “to have/be” · Strong's G2192
  9. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  10. τὸto“the”
    Article, nominative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  11. φρέαρphrear“well”
    Noun, nominative, singular, neuter · “well/abyss” · Strong's G5421
  12. ἐστὶνestin“is”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from εἰμί · “to be” · Strong's G1510
  13. βαθύ·bathu“deep;”
    Adjective, nominative, singular, neuter · from βαθύς · “deep” · Strong's G0901
  14. πόθενpothen“from where”
    Adverb · “whence/how” · Strong's G4159
  15. οὖνoun“then”
    Conjunction · “therefore/then” · Strong's G3767
  16. ἔχειςecheis“have You”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 2nd person singular · from ἔχω · “to have/be” · Strong's G2192
  17. τὸto“the”
    Article, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  18. ὕδωρhudōr“water”
    Noun, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  19. τὸto“which”
    Article, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  20. ζῶν;zōn“is living?”
    Verb, present, active, participle, accusative, singular, neuter · from ζάω · “to live” · Strong's G2198

Verse 12

Original language (Greek)

μὴ σὺ μείζων εἶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἰακώβ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν τὸ φρέαρ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἔπιεν καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ θρέμματα αὐτοῦ;

  1. μὴmē“Not”
    Particle, negative · from μή · “not” · Strong's G3361
  2. σὺsu“You yourself”
    Personal pronoun, 2nd person, nominative, singular · from σύ · “you” · Strong's G4771
  3. μείζωνmeizōn“greater”
    Adjective, nominative, singular, masculine, comparative · from μέγας · “great” · Strong's G3173
  4. εἶei“are”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 2nd person singular · from εἰμί · “to be” · Strong's G1510
  5. τοῦtou“[than] the”
    Article, genitive, singular, masculine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  6. πατρὸςpatros“father”
    Noun, genitive, singular, masculine · from πατήρ · “father” · Strong's G3962
  7. ἡμῶνhēmōn“of us”
    Personal pronoun, 1st person, genitive, plural · from ἐγώ · “I/we” · Strong's G3165
  8. Ἰακώβ,Iakōb“Jacob,”
    Noun, genitive, singular, masculine · from Ἰακώβ · “Jacob” · Strong's G2384H
  9. ὃςhos“who”
    Relative pronoun, nominative, singular, masculine · from ὅς, ἥ · “which” · Strong's G3739
  10. ἔδωκενedōken“gave”
    Verb, aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  11. ἡμῖνhēmin“us”
    Personal pronoun, 1st person, dative, plural · from ἐγώ · “I/we” · Strong's G3165
  12. τὸto“the”
    Article, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  13. φρέαρ,phrear“well,”
    Noun, accusative, singular, neuter · from φρέαρ · “well/abyss” · Strong's G5421
  14. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  15. αὐτὸςautos“himself”
    Personal pronoun, nominative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  16. ἐξex“of”
    Preposition · from ἐκ · “out from” · Strong's G1537
  17. αὐτοῦautou“it”
    Personal pronoun, genitive, singular, neuter · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  18. ἔπιενepien“drank”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from πίνω · “to drink” · Strong's G4095
  19. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  20. οἱhoi“the”
    Article, nominative, plural, masculine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  21. υἱοὶhuioi“sons”
    Noun, nominative, plural, masculine · from υἱός · “son” · Strong's G5207
  22. αὐτοῦautou“of him”
    Personal pronoun, genitive, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  23. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  24. τὰta“the”
    Article, nominative, plural, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  25. θρέμματαthremmata“livestock”
    Noun, nominative, plural, neuter · from θρέμμα · “livestock” · Strong's G2353
  26. αὐτοῦ;autou“of him?”
    Personal pronoun, genitive, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846

Verse 13

Original language (Greek)

Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· πᾶς ὁ πίνων ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος τούτου διψήσει πάλιν.

  1. ἈπεκρίθηApekrithē“Answered”
    Verb, aorist, middle (deponent), indicative, 3rd person singular · from ἀποκρίνω · “to answer” · Strong's G0611
  2. ἸησοῦςIēsous“Jesus”
    Noun, nominative, singular, masculine · “Jesus/Joshua” · Strong's G2424G
  3. καὶkai“and”
    Conjunction · from καί · “and” · Strong's G2532
  4. εἶπενeipen“said”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from ἔπω, ἐρῶ, εἶπον · “to say” · Strong's G2036
  5. αὐτῇ·autēa“to her;”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, feminine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  6. πᾶςpas“Everyone”
    Adjective, nominative, singular, masculine · “all” · Strong's G3956
  7. ὁho“who”
    Article, nominative, singular, masculine · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  8. πίνωνpinōn“is drinking”
    Verb, present, active, participle, nominative, singular, masculine · from πίνω · “to drink” · Strong's G4095
  9. ἐκek“of”
    Preposition · “out from” · Strong's G1537
  10. τοῦtou“<the>”
    Article, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  11. ὕδατοςhudatos“water”
    Noun, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  12. τούτουtoutou“this”
    Demonstrative pronoun, genitive, singular, neuter · from οὗτος · “this/he/she/it” · Strong's G3778
  13. διψήσειdipsēsei“will thirst”
    Verb, future, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from διψάω · “to thirst” · Strong's G1372
  14. πάλιν.palin“again.”
    Adverb · from πάλιν · “again” · Strong's G3825

Verse 14

Original language (Greek)

ὃς δ᾽ ἂν πίῃ ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος οὗ ἐγὼ δώσω αὐτῷ, οὐ μὴ διψήσει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἀλλὰ τὸ ὕδωρ ὃ δώσω αὐτῷ γενήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πηγὴ ὕδατος ἁλλομένου εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

  1. ὃςhos“who[ever]”
    Relative pronoun, nominative, singular, masculine · from ὅς, ἥ · “which” · Strong's G3739
  2. δ᾽d᾽“however”
    Conjunction · from δέ · “but/and” · Strong's G1161
  3. ἂνan“maybe”
    Particle · from ἄν · “if” · Strong's G0302
  4. πίῃpiē“may drink”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, subjunctive, 3rd person singular · from πίνω · “to drink” · Strong's G4095
  5. ἐκek“of”
    Preposition · “out from” · Strong's G1537
  6. τοῦtou“the”
    Article, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  7. ὕδατοςhudatos“water”
    Noun, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  8. οὗhou“that”
    Relative pronoun, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὅς, ἥ · “which” · Strong's G3739
  9. ἐγὼegō“I myself”
    Personal pronoun, 1st person, nominative, singular · from ἐγώ · “I/we” · Strong's G1473
  10. δώσωdōsō“will give”
    Verb, future, active, indicative, 1st person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  11. αὐτῷ,autō“to him,”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  12. οὐou“certainly”
    Particle, negative · “no” · Strong's G3756
  13. μὴmē“not”
    Particle, negative · from μή · “not” · Strong's G3361
  14. διψήσειdipsēsei“will thirst”
    Verb, future, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from διψάω · “to thirst” · Strong's G1372
  15. εἰςeis“to”
    Preposition · “toward” · Strong's G1519
  16. τὸνton“the”
    Article, accusative, singular, masculine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  17. αἰῶνα,aiōna“age,”
    Noun, accusative, singular, masculine · from αἰών · “an age” · Strong's G0165H
  18. ἀλλὰalla“Instead”
    Conjunction · from ἀλλά · “but” · Strong's G0235
  19. τὸto“the”
    Article, nominative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  20. ὕδωρhudōr“water”
    Noun, nominative, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  21. ὃho“that”
    Relative pronoun, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὅς, ἥ · “which” · Strong's G3739
  22. δώσωdōsō“I will give”
    Verb, future, active, indicative, 1st person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  23. αὐτῷautō“to him”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  24. γενήσεταιgenēsetai“it will become”
    Verb, future, middle (deponent), indicative, 3rd person singular · from γίνομαι · “to be” · Strong's G1096
  25. ἐνen“in”
    Preposition · “in/on/among” · Strong's G1722
  26. αὐτῷautō“him”
    Personal pronoun, dative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  27. πηγὴpēgē“a spring”
    Noun, nominative, singular, feminine · from πηγή · “flow” · Strong's G4077
  28. ὕδατοςhudatos“of water”
    Noun, genitive, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  29. ἁλλομένουhallomenou“welling up”
    Verb, present, middle or passive (deponent), participle, genitive, singular, neuter · from ἅλλομαι · “to spring” · Strong's G0242
  30. εἰςeis“into”
    Preposition · “toward” · Strong's G1519
  31. ζωὴνzōēn“life”
    Noun, accusative, singular, feminine · from ζωή · “life” · Strong's G2222
  32. αἰώνιον.aiōnion“eternal.”
    Adjective, accusative, singular, feminine · from αἰώνιος · “eternal” · Strong's G0166

Verse 15

Original language (Greek)

Λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ γυνή· κύριε, δός μοι τοῦτο τὸ ὕδωρ ἵνα μὴ διψῶ μηδὲ διέρχωμαι ἐνθάδε ἀντλεῖν.

  1. ΛέγειLegei“Says”
    Verb, present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular · from λέγω · “to speak” · Strong's G3004G
  2. πρὸςpros“to”
    Preposition · from πρός · “to/with” · Strong's G4314
  3. αὐτὸνauton“Him”
    Personal pronoun, accusative, singular, masculine · from αὐτός · “he/she/it/self” · Strong's G0846
  4. ἡhē“the”
    Article, nominative, singular, feminine · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  5. γυνή·gunē“woman;”
    Noun, nominative, singular, feminine · from γυνή · “woman” · Strong's G1135G
  6. κύριε,kurie“Sir,”
    Noun, vocative, singular, masculine · from κύριος · “lord” · Strong's G2962H
  7. δόςdos“do give”
    Verb, 2nd aorist, active, imperative, 2nd person singular · from δίδωμι · “to give” · Strong's G1325
  8. μοιmoi“me”
    Personal pronoun, 1st person, dative, singular · from ἐγώ · “I/we” · Strong's G3165
  9. τοῦτοtouto“this”
    Demonstrative pronoun, accusative, singular, neuter · from οὗτος · “this/he/she/it” · Strong's G3778
  10. τὸto“<the>”
    Article, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὁ · “the/this/who” · Strong's G3588
  11. ὕδωρhudōr“water”
    Noun, accusative, singular, neuter · from ὕδωρ, ὕδατος · “water” · Strong's G5204
  12. ἵναina“that”
    Conjunction · “in order that/to” · Strong's G2443
  13. μὴmē“not”
    Particle, negative · from μή · “not” · Strong's G3361
  14. διψῶdipsō“I may thirst”
    Verb, present, active, subjunctive, 1st person singular · from διψάω · “to thirst” · Strong's G1372
  15. μηδὲmēde“nor”
    Conjunction, nominative · from μηδέ · “nor” · Strong's G3366
  16. διέρχωμαιdierchōmai“I may come”
    Verb, present, middle or passive (deponent), subjunctive, 1st person singular · from διέρχομαι · “to pass through” · Strong's G1330
  17. ἐνθάδεenthade“here”
    Adverb · “in/to this place” · Strong's G1759
  18. ἀντλεῖν.antlein“to draw.”
    Verb, present, active, infinitive · from ἀντλέω · “to draw” · Strong's G0501
  • Prepared by the God & Savior team. Not yet reviewed by an editor.
  • Greek words: STEP Bible (STEPBible.org), based on work at Tyndale House, Cambridge. CC BY 4.0. Source (version ed476a8)