John 4:11
What does John 4:11 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:11 means
The woman, still operating on a purely physical level, misunderstands Jesus' spiritual metaphor of "living water." She points out His lack of a bucket and the well's depth, seeing only the literal limitations of the situation. Her reply reveals her initial inability to grasp the spiritual dimension of Jesus' words, setting up Jesus to further explain the nature of the eternal life He offers beyond mere physical sustenance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?
KJV
King James Version · 1611The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The woman said to him, Sir, you have no vessel and the fountain is deep; from where will you get the living water?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The woman saith to him, `Sir, thou hast not even a vessel to draw with, and the well is deep; whence, then, hast thou the living water?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The woman saith to him: Sir, thou hast nothing wherein to draw, and the well is deep. From whence then hast thou living water?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The woman says to him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou the living water?
Context
This verse is the Samaritan woman's literal interpretation of Jesus' offer of "living water." It directly follows Jesus' profound statement in verse 10. Her practical, earthly response highlights her current lack of spiritual understanding, creating an opportunity for Jesus to elaborate further on the true nature of the living water He offers, moving the conversation towards a deeper revelation.
v.10Jesus 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.
v.11This passage
v.12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
- John 3:4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
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