John 7:38
What does John 7:38 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:38 means
Jesus promises that whoever believes in Him, as Scripture has said, will have rivers of living water flow from within. Faith in Him brings not only satisfaction but overflow—life abundant that refreshes others. The imagery evokes biblical promises of God’s life-giving presence. The source is inward, showing transformation at the deepest level. This is not a trickle but rivers—plentiful, resilient, and renewing. The promise belongs to all who believe, not a spiritual elite. It portrays the believer as a channel of divine life to the world, rooted in union with Christ, the fountain of living waters.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who has faith in me, out of his body, as the Writings have said, will come rivers of living water.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he who is believing in me, according as the Writing said, Rivers out of his belly shall flow of living water;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith: Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Context
Having invited the thirsty to come and drink, Jesus describes the effect of faith—overflowing life. John immediately interprets this in the next verse as the Holy Spirit given to believers after Jesus’ glorification (verse 39). This grand promise triggers strong reactions: some identify Jesus as the prophet, others as the Christ, while some object based on His Galilean association (verses 40–41), leading to division (verse 43).
v.37Now on the last day, the greatdayof the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
v.38This passage
v.39But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
- Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
- 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.
- Isaiah 59:21
And as for me, this is my covenant with them, saith Jehovah: my Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith Jehovah, from henceforth and for ever.
- John 4:14
but 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.
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