Joh 4:9-15 | PNT | STEP | How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me ? She saw by his dress, appearance, and the direction whence he came that he was of the Jewish race. The antipathy between the Jews and Samaritans was so bitter that they were never wont to ask any hospitable right. The woman's reply is not a refusal of the Lord's request, but an expression of astonishment that a Jew should ask a favor of a Samaritan.

John 4:9-15

How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me? She saw by his dress, appearance, and the direction whence he came that he was of the Jewish race. The antipathy between the Jews and Samaritans was so bitter that they were never wont to ask any hospitable right. The woman's reply is not a refusal of the Lord's request, but an expression of astonishment that a Jew should ask a favor of a Samaritan. If thou knewest the gift of God, etc. The great gift of God is not water, not even peace of soul, but Christ himself, God's "unspeakable gift" (2Co 9:15), "God gave his only begotten Son" (Joh 3:16). Had she known, the Savior declares, "Thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water". Observe: (1) That Christ asks a favor in order to confer a greater one. (2) The well and the water suggest the thirst of the soul and the waters of life.

Living water. Water of life. The woman thought he meant running water. Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, etc. She was deeply impressed by his manner and his words, but she falls to rise above the material meaning of his words. Art thou greater than our father Jacob? The question indicates still further her dawning conviction of the greatness of the stranger. It was from Joseph, the son of Jacob, that the Samaritans claimed descent. Jesus spoke of giving living water; Jacob, their great ancestor, had given this well. Whoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. Her own experience would confirm his words. Nothing earthly satisfies long. Whosoever drinketh of the water I shall give him shall never thirst. The water of which he speaks is a gift which he gives to humanity. It is not given to him, but is his own gift. His language is always that of the Son of God. He says, "I am the life" (Joh 11:25 14:6); "Come to me, ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt 11:28); "I am the bread of life" (Joh 6:35,48); "He that believeth on me shall never thirst" (Joh 6:35). Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst. The mysterious words of the Jewish stranger she cannot yet understand, but she is deeply stirred, and one thing seemed plain--if she could have this water she would thirst no more.