Devine Scripture

John 4:7

What does John 4:7 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:7 means

A Samaritan woman approaches the well to draw water, likely during the heat of the day to avoid contact with others, given her social standing. Jesus initiates conversation by asking her for a drink, a request that immediately challenges the profound social and religious barriers between Jews and Samaritans, and between men and women in that culture. This simple request is the catalyst for one of the most significant theological dialogues in the Gospels.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A woman of Samaria came to get water, and Jesus said to her, Give me some water.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

there cometh a woman out of Samaria to draw water. Jesus saith to her, `Give me to drink;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

A woman comes out of Samaria to draw water. Jesus says to her, Give me to drink

Context

This verse immediately follows the scene of Jesus resting at Jacob's well. The arrival of the Samaritan woman and Jesus' direct request to her are the crucial first steps in their interaction. This initial exchange establishes the cultural tension that will be addressed and overcome throughout their conversation, forming the core of the chapter's first major narrative.

v.6and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

v.7This passage

v.8For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 24:43

    behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink;

  • 1 Kings 17:10

    So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

  • John 4:10

    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.

  • John 19:28

    After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst.

  • 2 Samuel 23:15

    And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!

  • Matthew 10:42

    And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.

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