John 4:14
What does John 4:14 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:14 means
Here, Jesus makes an extraordinary promise: those who drink the "water" He gives will never thirst again, for it will become an unending spring within them, flowing to eternal life. This is a clear declaration of His divine ability to provide ultimate spiritual satisfaction and salvation. The "living water" represents the Holy Spirit and the eternal life found in Him, a gift that completely transforms and sustains the believer.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But whoever takes the water I give him will never be in need of drink again; for the water I give him will become in him a fountain of eternal life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but whoever may drink of the water that I will give him, may not thirst--to the age; and the water that I will give him shall become in him a well of water, springing up to life age-during.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the water that I will give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into life everlasting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but whosoever drinks of the water which I shall give him shall never thirst for ever, but the water which I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life.
Context
This verse delivers Jesus' central claim in response to the woman's earthly understanding of thirst and water. It is a direct contrast to His statement in verse 13 about the temporary nature of physical water. This powerful promise of a permanent source of eternal life marks a turning point in the conversation, attempting to elevate the woman's perspective from the material to the spiritual, setting up her desperate plea for this water.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
- John 11:26
and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?
- John 7:38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
- Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
- Ephesians 1:13
in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
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