King James Version
John 4:12 in the King James Version says “Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cat...” — study this verse from John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“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 · KJV
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.
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?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But 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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
“gave”
G1325to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
“the well”
G5421a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e., a cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss (as a prison)
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“himself”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“thereof”
G1537a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
“himself”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“children”
G5207a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
“himself”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“himself”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
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.
John 4:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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