John 4:11 Meaning and Explanation
“The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Taking him literally, the woman observes that he has no vessel to draw with and the well is deep.
What Does John 4:11 Mean?
Jacob's well was a deep shaft; travelers needed a vessel and a long cord to reach its water, and Jesus visibly has neither. Her address shifts to Sir — respect is growing — but her mind is still on rope and water level.
Like Nicodemus asking how a man can be born when he is old (3:4), she hears earth while he speaks heaven. John lets these misunderstandings stand because they are ours too: we measure the promises of God by the depth of our wells and the length of our ropes. Jesus is not put off. Patiently, question by question, he draws a literal mind upward toward a living gift.
John 4:11 in the Original Language
phrear (φρέαρ), 'well' -- a dug shaft or cistern, distinct from a flowing spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 4:11
What does John 4:11 mean?
Taking him literally, the woman observes that he has no vessel to draw with and the well is deep.