John 4:13
What does John 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:13 means
Jesus directly addresses the woman's focus on physical water by stating a fundamental truth: anyone who drinks from physical water, even Jacob's well, will eventually become thirsty again. This establishes the temporary and unsatisfying nature of earthly provisions and pleasures. It serves as a stark contrast to what He is about to offer, preparing her to understand the profound and lasting impact of the spiritual "water" He provides.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said to her, Everyone who takes this water will be in need of it again:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered and said to her, `Every one who is drinking of this water shall thirst again;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered and said to her: Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but he that shall drink of the water that I will give him shall not thirst for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered and said to her, Every one who drinks of this water shall thirst again;
Context
This verse is Jesus' direct response to the Samaritan woman's question about His superiority to Jacob and the nature of the well's water. It follows her appeal to tradition in verse 12. Jesus' statement about recurring thirst from physical water serves to pivot the conversation decisively from the literal to the spiritual, setting up His profound declaration about the living water He offers in the next verse.
v.12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?
v.13This passage
v.14but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.
- Isaiah 65:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
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