John 4 13

John 4:13 kjv

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

John 4:13 nkjv

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

John 4:13 niv

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,

John 4:13 esv

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,

John 4:13 nlt

Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.

John 4 verses

John 4 13 Meaning

Jesus declares a fundamental truth about physical and temporal sources of satisfaction: anyone who drinks the water from Jacob's well, representing all earthly provisions, will inevitably become thirsty again. This statement highlights the temporary nature of worldly relief and the inherent, recurring desires of the human soul that no finite source can permanently quench. It serves as a stark contrast to the eternal satisfaction He is about to offer through "living water."

John 4 13 Context

John 4:13 is part of Jesus' groundbreaking encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. He has just subtly introduced the idea of "living water" (Jn 4:10) after astonishing her by asking a Samaritan woman for a drink and revealing His knowledge of her, despite Jewish customs forbidding interaction. The woman, focused on the physical act of drawing water and the literal well, struggles to grasp the spiritual depth of Jesus' words. In this verse, Jesus directly addresses her limited, physical understanding, clearly demarcating the temporary relief offered by the well's water from the lasting satisfaction of the "living water" He alluded to. Historically, wells like Jacob's were vital for survival, making water a powerful, tangible metaphor for life and daily provision, reinforcing the common human experience of recurring needs.

John 4 13 Word analysis

• Jesus answered: (Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς, apekrithē Iēsous) – Jesus takes the initiative in guiding the conversation, responding to her prior query about having a bucket. This highlights His role as the teacher who consistently addresses and corrects human misunderstanding.
• and said to her: (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, kai eipen autē) – Indicates direct and personal communication, characteristic of Jesus' interactions, bridging social and religious divides.
• 'Everyone: (Πᾶς, pas) – A universal declaration, meaning "all" or "every single person." This signifies that the subsequent truth applies to all humanity, irrespective of their background or current standing. It establishes a principle that transcends individual circumstances.
• who drinks: (ὁ πίνων, ho pinōn) – Present active participle, suggesting a continuous, habitual, or repeated action. It points to ongoing reliance or engagement with a source, implying a cycle of consumption.
• of this water: (ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος τούτου, ek tou hydatos toutou) – Refers explicitly to the physical water in Jacob's well, yet implicitly encompasses all temporal and material sources of satisfaction in the world. This includes not just literal sustenance but also worldly achievements, wealth, pleasure, human relationships, or any pursuit detached from spiritual reality. It represents limited, created provisions.
• will be thirsty: (διψήσει, dipsēsei) – Future indicative verb, expressing a certainty. It means "will experience thirst" not just physically but, by extension, spiritually. This spiritual thirst symbolizes the persistent, deep-seated human longing for ultimate meaning, fulfillment, peace, and security that no worldly object or experience can satisfy permanently.
• again.': (πάλιν, palin) – The critical adverb, meaning "once more," "afresh," or "repeatedly." It underscores the cyclical nature of human needs when met by temporal provisions. The relief is always temporary, and the fundamental craving or dissatisfaction invariably returns. This word sets the crucial stage for the radical contrast presented in John 4:14, where Jesus promises "never thirst."

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Everyone who drinks": This phrase encapsulates a universal human condition: every individual who attempts to quench their deepest yearnings from what is offered in the world is destined for ongoing dissatisfaction. It is a continuous engagement that leads to continuous need.
• "of this water": Points to the finite, physical realm as the source of satisfaction. Jesus grounds His spiritual truth in the tangible and immediate context of the well, representing all that humanity might strive for apart from God—things that, though seemingly vital, possess inherent limitations.
• "will be thirsty again": This declarative statement asserts the inevitability of recurrent emptiness or longing when fulfillment is sought in earthly sources. It's not a threat but a profound observation about the nature of human desire and the inadequacy of worldly provisions, compelling a reconsideration of where true satisfaction can be found.

John 4 13 Bonus section

• The dialogue sequence here demonstrates Jesus' teaching method: He often establishes common ground or identifies a shared human problem (physical thirst, a recurring need) before introducing a spiritual solution.
• This verse can be seen as an act of grace, as Jesus gently exposes the futility of human efforts to satisfy deep longings, preparing the heart for the revolutionary truth He is about to reveal. It empties the recipient of false hope to fill them with true hope.
• The "thirst again" resonates with existential questions and anxieties that pervade human philosophy, demonstrating the biblical response that the spiritual core of humanity can only be satisfied by its Creator.

John 4 13 Commentary

John 4:13 serves as a masterstroke in Jesus' dialogue, profoundly revealing the nature of humanity's ongoing quest for contentment. By asserting that anyone who drinks "this water" will "be thirsty again," Jesus cuts to the core of human experience: all endeavors, achievements, and provisions derived from the created order ultimately fail to bring lasting satisfaction. The phrase "will be thirsty again" is an inescapable truth, a reflection on the recurring needs and desires that characterize life lived apart from the Divine. It underscores the temporal nature of physical and material solutions, positioning them as mere palliatives for a deeper, spiritual emptiness. This verse doesn't condemn earthly provisions but rather delineates their inherent limitations, creating an urgent and clear pathway for Jesus to introduce Himself as the sole, eternal source of true and everlasting spiritual replenishment in the subsequent verse. This foundational understanding allows the Samaritan woman, and all who hear, to perceive the qualitative difference between fleeting physical comfort and abiding spiritual life.