John 4 12

John 4:12 kjv

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

John 4:12 nkjv

Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

John 4:12 niv

Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?"

John 4:12 esv

Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock."

John 4:12 nlt

And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"

John 4 verses

John 4 12 Meaning

John 4:12 is a question posed by the Samaritan woman to Jesus, challenging His implicit claim to offer something superior to Jacob’s provision. She frames Jacob, the patriarch, as the ultimate benefactor who provided the well—a vital source of physical life—for himself, his family, and his animals. Her inquiry underscores her focus on earthly, tangible provision and inherited tradition, subtly measuring Jesus against the venerated ancestral heritage embodied by Jacob and the enduring sustenance of the well. It sets the stage for Jesus to reveal a superior, spiritual provision.

John 4 12 Context

John 4:12 occurs at Jacob's Well near the city of Sychar in Samaria, a region historically estranged from Judea due to religious and ethnic differences. Jesus, having requested water from a Samaritan woman—a groundbreaking act breaking several social norms—has just mentioned giving her "living water" if she knew "the gift of God" and "who it is" speaking to her (Jn 4:10). The woman, still thinking in earthly terms, understands "living water" literally as running water, a luxury compared to drawing from the deep well. Her question in verse 12 challenges Jesus by comparing His ability to Jacob's historical provision. This verse thus stands at a pivotal point where a conversation about physical necessities is about to pivot dramatically into profound theological revelation about true spiritual life, worship, and the identity of the Messiah. The historical context includes the Samaritans' distinct lineage traced to Jacob, their veneration of the Pentateuch, and their rejection of the Jerusalem temple, viewing Mount Gerizim as the legitimate place of worship.

John 4 12 Word analysis

• "Are You" (Σὺ εἶ - Sy ei): A direct, personal address, carrying an implicit challenge or intense curiosity about Jesus's identity, especially after He implies knowledge or provision beyond ordinary human capacity. It reflects her initial misunderstanding of His spiritual offering.
• "greater" (μείζων - meizōn): A comparative adjective, indicating superiority in power, authority, dignity, or size. The woman measures Jesus against her greatest human reference point, Jacob. It signifies a test: can Jesus truly offer something better or more lasting than her most revered patriarch's legacy?
• "than our father" (τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν - tou patros hēmōn): "Father" here refers to a revered patriarch and ancestor, Jacob. For Samaritans, Jacob was a foundational figure, alongside Joseph, establishing their unique heritage, distinct from Abraham whom Jews typically emphasized. This emphasizes their direct lineage and connection to the land and the well, defining their identity and religious claim.
• "Jacob" (Ἰακώβ - Iakōb): The patriarch who physically dug or provided the land for this well (Gen 33:18-20, though scripturally not explicitly states he dug it, it was traditionally associated with him as a legacy). He represents the pinnacle of their ancestral provision and spiritual legacy tied to the land.
• "who gave" (ὃς ἔδωκεν - hos edōken): Past tense verb, signifying a completed historical act of benefaction. It highlights Jacob as the provider, establishing a standard of tangible, enduring legacy.
• "us" (ἡμῖν - hēmin): Refers to the Samaritans, reinforcing their direct claim to Jacob's heritage and the well. It implies a collective identity tied to this historical gift.
• "the well" (τὸ φρέαρ - to phrear): While Jesus used "πηγῆς" (pēgēs - spring) earlier for 'living water,' the woman here uses "φρέαρ" (phrear - dug pit or cistern), referring to the physical, man-made structure of Jacob's Well. This reflects her literal, earthy interpretation and highlights the tangible object of their pride. It was deep, representing a significant labor and a dependable source.
• "and drank" (καὶ αὐτὸς ἔπιεν - kai autos epien): Emphasizes Jacob's personal use and reliance on the well. It indicates the well's sufficiency even for the patriarch himself and further validates its importance as a universal source of sustenance. The imperfect tense implies a habitual action or a continuous act of drinking, indicating constant reliance.
• "from it himself" (ἐξ αὐτοῦ - ex autou): Reinforces the personal, direct relationship Jacob had with the well, validating its sufficiency for a revered figure.
• "and his sons" (καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ - kai hoi huioi autou): Includes Jacob's direct descendants, showing the well’s comprehensive provision for the entire family line.
• "and his livestock" (καὶ τὰ κτήνη αὐτοῦ - kai ta ktēnē autou): Further extends the well's capacity to provide for all aspects of life and livelihood, including crucial agricultural and nomadic needs.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Are You greater than our father Jacob": This is a question of relative status and ability. The woman poses a challenge, weighing Jesus's perceived power or origin against the legendary status and established provision of Jacob. It reflects both a skeptical demand for proof and a glimmer of recognition that Jesus might be exceptional.
• "who gave us the well": This phrase underlines Jacob's historical act of provision. For the woman, the well is the concrete, enduring proof of Jacob’s benevolence and prophetic insight. It represents physical life, sustenance, and the stability of their ancestral home, rooted in a historical deed.
• "and drank from it himself, and his sons and his livestock?": This segment highlights the universality and sufficiency of Jacob's provision. It establishes that the well provided for Jacob’s entire household, from patriarch to animals, signifying its absolute completeness for all earthly needs. This makes Jacob's act the ultimate benchmark in her mind.

John 4 12 Bonus section

The Samaritan woman's "greater than Jacob?" question reveals a common human tendency to evaluate new divine revelations or claims against existing, deeply cherished traditions, legacies, or historical figures. Her understanding is constrained by physical and historical dimensions. Jesus's interaction subsequently transforms her perspective, leading her to acknowledge His unparalleled spiritual authority. This transition illustrates the progressive nature of divine revelation and the Holy Spirit's role in guiding individuals from earthly comprehension to spiritual insight.

John 4 12 Commentary

John 4:12 articulates the Samaritan woman's earth-bound perception, characteristic of humanity grappling with divine truth. She interprets Jesus's offer of "living water" through the lens of tangible provision, measuring His implied greatness against her revered ancestor, Jacob, and the physical well. This well, deeply rooted in their heritage, symbolized not just physical sustenance but also ancestral identity and legitimacy of their claim to the land and tradition, particularly in contrast to the Jews. Her question "Are You greater...?" is thus loaded, testing Jesus's authority to supersede a legacy so fundamental to her people's existence. Jesus does not dismiss her heritage but skillfully uses this reference point to elevate the discourse from physical water to spiritual life, from ancestral history to eternal reality. He will show His provision far transcends any patriarch's, addressing the deepest thirst of the soul with living water that springs up to eternal life, establishing His own boundless superiority and setting the stage for revelation of Himself as the Messiah and the nature of true worship.