Devine Scripture

John 4:6

What does John 4:6 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:6 means

The scene is set at Jacob's well, a place of historical significance and daily life. Jesus, physically exhausted from His journey, sits by the well around noon, a time when women typically avoided drawing water due to the heat. This portrayal of Jesus' humanity—weariness and thirst—underscores His full identification with mankind, even as He is about to reveal His divine nature. His vulnerability here makes His upcoming offer of 'living water' even more profound.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now Jacob's fountain was there. Jesus, being tired after his journey, was resting by the fountain. It was about the sixth hour.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there was there a well of Jacob. Jesus therefore having been weary from the journeying, was sitting thus on the well; it was as it were the sixth hour;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well. It was about the sixth hour.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now a fountain of Jacob's was there; Jesus therefore, being wearied with the way he had come, sat just as he was at the fountain. It was about the sixth hour.

Context

This verse describes Jesus' arrival and resting place after His journey to Sychar. It builds on the previous verse's mention of Jacob's land and well. The depiction of Jesus' weariness and the specific time of day are important details, as they create the natural conditions for the Samaritan woman, who would likely be avoiding the heat and other women, to encounter Jesus alone.

v.5So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph:

v.6This passage

v.7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 8:24

    And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

  • John 11:9

    Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

  • Luke 2:7

    And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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