John 4 11

John 4:11 kjv

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?

John 4:11 nkjv

The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?

John 4:11 niv

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

John 4:11 esv

The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?

John 4:11 nlt

"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?

John 4 verses

John 4 11 Meaning

John 4:11 captures the Samaritan woman's initial inability to grasp the spiritual depth of Jesus's offer. She acknowledges Jesus as a respectful "Sir" and observes His lack of physical tools to draw water from Jacob's deep well. Her literal mind can only comprehend physical needs and solutions, leading her to question how He could possibly obtain "living water," which in her understanding would merely be fresh, flowing water, given the limitations of the deep well and His apparent lack of a bucket. The verse highlights the sharp contrast between physical perception and spiritual reality, as Jesus prepares to reveal Himself as the divine source of true spiritual sustenance.

John 4 11 Context

John chapter 4 introduces one of Jesus's most significant encounters outside of Judea, occurring in Samaria, a region often shunned by Jews due to historical and religious animosity. Jesus deliberately initiates conversation with a Samaritan woman, an individual marginalized even within her own society due to her past and present circumstances. The interaction takes place at Jacob's well, a site with profound historical and religious significance to both Jews and Samaritans, embodying ancient traditions and prophecies. Jesus asks her for a drink, a culturally radical act that breaches social, gender, and ethnic barriers. In John 4:10, Jesus first hints at His divine identity by stating, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." John 4:11 is the woman's immediate, practical, and somewhat incredulous response to this enigmatic offer, demonstrating her complete lack of spiritual understanding at this initial stage.

John 4 11 Word analysis

• Sir (Κύριε - Kyriē): This term is a respectful address, equivalent to "Mister" or "Sir." At this point, the woman does not recognize Jesus as divine Lord, but she acknowledges His authority in seeking water and expresses respect. It highlights her initial limited, earthly perception of Him, distinct from a declaration of faith or recognition of His messianic status.
• you have nothing to draw with (οὔτε ἄντλημα ἔχεις - oute antlēma echeis): The word antlēma refers to a drawing vessel, a bucket, or scoop, often with a rope. The woman is focused on the tangible tools and means necessary to extract water. Her observation underscores the practical problem: without a bucket, it is impossible to draw water from such a deep well. This reflects her purely physical interpretation of "living water."
• and the well is deep (καὶ τὸ φρέαρ ἐστὶν βαθύ - kai to phrear estin bathy): Phrear means a well, pit, or cistern. Jacob's well was historically very deep, around 100 feet. The "deepness" reinforces the physical impossibility from her perspective and symbolizes the deep spiritual chasm between human capacity and divine provision. She perceives an insurmountable physical barrier.
• Where then do you get that living water? (Πόθεν οὖν ἔχεις τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ζῶν - Pothen oun echeis to hydōr to zōn): The woman's question is rhetorical and steeped in her literal understanding. Pothen means "from where." Hydōr to zōn literally means "the water, the living." In the ancient world, "living water" generally meant fresh, flowing water from a spring or stream, in contrast to stagnant well or cistern water. However, Jesus's use is clearly spiritual, referring to the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Her question reveals her misinterpretation, as she still considers it a physical commodity.

• "you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep": This phrase emphasizes the woman's perception of Jesus's immediate physical limitations. She focuses entirely on earthly constraints, missing the supernatural implications of Jesus's prior statement. It reflects a common human tendency to evaluate divine power through the lens of human possibility, failing to comprehend a source beyond observable means.
• "Where then do you get that living water?": This question marks a pivotal moment. While seemingly dismissive, it also expresses a curiosity that allows Jesus to delve deeper into the nature of true living water. Her inability to conceive of an invisible, spiritual source paves the way for Jesus to reveal His identity as that very source, transforming a mundane conversation about water into a profound dialogue about salvation and eternal life.

John 4 11 Bonus section

The dialogue at Jacob's well showcases Jesus's masterful pedagogical approach, beginning with a literal concept (water) to lead to a profound spiritual truth (eternal life and the Holy Spirit). The woman's literal interpretation of "living water" as flowing, fresh water, contrasted with Jesus's spiritual meaning (Jn 7:38-39), highlights a consistent theme in John's Gospel where Jesus uses physical metaphors (bread, light, shepherd, door, vine, water) to communicate His identity and spiritual reality. This interaction at the well also represents Jesus's inclusive ministry, breaking societal norms by engaging with a Samaritan woman of ill repute, demonstrating that salvation is available to all who believe, regardless of background or status (Gal 3:28).

John 4 11 Commentary

John 4:11 vividly portrays the chasm between human understanding and divine truth. The Samaritan woman, caught in her mundane reality and literal thinking, cannot fathom a source of "living water" that doesn't rely on physical implements or access to a natural spring. Her focus on Jesus's apparent lack of a drawing vessel and the great depth of the well highlights her limitation; she sees only the surface, not the spiritual wellspring that is before her. Her question, "Where then do you get that living water?", is a natural human response, expressing a combination of curiosity and doubt. It serves as a perfect setup for Jesus to explain the transformative nature of the spiritual water He offers, which far transcends any physical commodity, signifying eternal life and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This exchange underscores a universal spiritual principle: true spiritual provision often comes through unconventional, non-physical means, far removed from human expectation or capability, demanding faith to apprehend.