King James Version

What Does John 4:10 Mean?

John 4:10 in the King James Version says “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; t... — study this verse from John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

John 4:10 · KJV


Context

8

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

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.

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?

12

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing salvation as 'gift' rather than wage transform our approach to God?
  2. What must happen for us to truly 'know' who Jesus is, beyond intellectual acknowledgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἀπεκρίθη1 of 30

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

Ἰησοῦς2 of 30

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ3 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν4 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτὸν5 of 30

of him

G846

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

Εἰ6 of 30

If

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ᾔδεις7 of 30

thou knewest

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὴν8 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δωρεὰν9 of 30

the gift

G1431

a gratuity

τοῦ10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ11 of 30

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ12 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τίς13 of 30

who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐστιν14 of 30

it is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

15 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λέγων16 of 30

that saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

σοι17 of 30

thee

G4671

to thee

ἔδωκεν18 of 30

Give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μοι19 of 30

me

G3427

to me

πιεῖν,20 of 30

to drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

σὺ21 of 30

thou

G4771

thou

ἄν22 of 30

he would

G302

whatsoever

ᾔτησας23 of 30

have asked

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

αὐτὸν24 of 30

of him

G846

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

καὶ25 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔδωκεν26 of 30

Give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἄν27 of 30

he would

G302

whatsoever

σοι28 of 30

thee

G4671

to thee

ὕδωρ29 of 30

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

ζῶν30 of 30

living

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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