John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 30
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
2 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
of him
G846
αὐτὸν
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ᾔδεις
thou knewest
G1492
ᾔδεις
thou knewest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 30
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
13 of 30
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων
that saith
G3004
λέγων
that saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἔδωκεν
Give
G1325
ἔδωκεν
Give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 30
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτὸν
of him
G846
αὐτὸν
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκεν
Give
G1325
ἔδωκεν
Give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
26 of 30
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:Revelation 21:6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.Zechariah 14:8And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Historical Context
'Living water' in Judaism referred to spring water versus cistern water, used for ritual purification. Jesus transforms this physical metaphor into spiritual reality, as He does with many Jewish concepts throughout John's Gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing salvation as 'gift' rather than wage transform our approach to God?
- What must happen for us to truly 'know' who Jesus is, beyond intellectual acknowledgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus shifts from physical water to 'living water,' a rabbinic term for running water but here meaning the Holy Spirit and eternal life. His statement 'If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is' points to two connected truths: salvation as gift (not earned) and Christ's identity as giver. Reformed theology emphasizes that regeneration by the Spirit is prerequisite to recognizing Christ's person and benefits.