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Book of John - Chapter 4 - Verse 11

4:11
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?

Meaning

When the Samaritan woman asked Jesus where he could draw living water from since he had nothing to draw with and the well was deep, she was expressing her confusion at Jesus' claim to offer something beyond physical water. In this passage, the woman symbolizes humanity's struggle to understand spiritual concepts with earthly logic. By focusing on the physical limitations of the well, she overlooks the deeper meaning behind Jesus' words. Jesus uses the imagery of living water to represent the eternal and life-giving source of spiritual nourishment that he offers to all who believe in him. Through this conversation, Jesus gently leads the woman from a place of skepticism to a moment of revelation about his true nature as the Messiah. This interaction serves as a powerful example of how Jesus meets people where they are at and gently guides them towards a deeper understanding of their spiritual needs.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the woman at the well is questioning Jesus about how he can draw water from a deep well without the necessary tools. Her confusion leads Jesus to a theological interpretation of the situation, using her physical thirst as a metaphor for spiritual thirst. When Jesus speaks of "living water," he is referring to a metaphorical source of spiritual refreshment that comes from faith in him. The woman's focus on the physical well highlights her lack of understanding of Jesus' message. Through this exchange, we can see the importance of looking beyond the material world to understand deeper spiritual truths. This verse emphasizes the need to seek spiritual fulfillment in God rather than relying solely on worldly possessions or experiences. The theological interpretation of this verse encourages believers to seek the "living water" that only Jesus can provide, which sustains and satisfies our souls in ways that material things cannot.

American Standard Version

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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