Understanding "Living Waters"

A Deeper Look at John 4:10 A supplement for paid subscribers

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In an essay talking about how God doesn’t need us, but desires us, I talked a bit about Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, when he said: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). It sounds beautiful but a bit cryptic. Let’s go over what’s really happening.

Role Reversal

Notice the role reversal going on here. Jesus asks her for water—a simple, physical need. Then he flips it: “If you only knew who I really am, you’d be the one asking me for water.”

The woman thinks she’s in the position of power. She has the bucket, she knows the well, this Jewish stranger needs something from her. But Jesus reveals that true need runs in the opposite direction. She’s the one who’s really thirsty, even if she doesn’t know it yet.