John 4:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus names the plain truth that the things of this world always leave us thirsty again.
The Context of John 4:13
Jesus is at Jacob's well near Sychar in Samaria, speaking with a woman who has come to draw water at midday. She has just asked, half puzzled, how He could give her living water when He has nothing to draw with and the well is deep. He begins His answer by pointing at the water in front of them.
What Does John 4:13 Mean?
Jesus starts with something the woman knows in her bones. "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again." The well is ancient and good, but its water cannot end thirst for long. She drinks, and by tomorrow she is back with her bucket. He points to the well only to tell the truth about every earthly thing we drink from. Each one helps for a while, then leaves us wanting again. The cycle never quite closes.
He says this only to lead her one step further, to the water He gives that ends the deeper thirst (verse 14). But this first half is its own gift of honesty. Jesus is willing to name the ache we feel when one good thing after another fails to fully satisfy us. He tells us the honest truth about our thirst so that He can offer us the One who answers it, and it is to Himself that He is about to point.
John 4:13 in the Original Language
dipsao (διψάω), 'thirst' -- to be thirsty, and figuratively to long for and crave what one still lacks.
How to Apply John 4:13 Today
When the good things we keep returning to leave us wanting more, this verse meets us with honesty. Jesus names the thirst that earthly wells cannot end, and He does it to turn us toward Himself, the One who can.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 4:13
What does John 4:13 mean?
Jesus names the plain truth that the things of this world always leave us thirsty again.
What is the context of John 4:13?
Jesus is at Jacob's well near Sychar in Samaria, speaking with a woman who has come to draw water at midday. She has just asked, half puzzled, how He could give her living water when He has nothing to draw with and the well is deep. He begins His answer by pointing at the water in front of them.
How can I apply John 4:13 today?
When the good things we keep returning to leave us wanting more, this verse meets us with honesty. Jesus names the thirst that earthly wells cannot end, and He does it to turn us toward Himself, the One who can.