John 4:1-15


"Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, '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.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.' Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.'" (John 4:1-15 ESV)


The Necessity of Passing Through Samaria

In this passage, we see that Jesus "had to pass through Samaria." While this may seem like a geographical necessity, it reflects a deeper spiritual purpose. Jesus intentionally sought out this encounter with the Samaritan woman. Culturally, Jews avoided Samaritans, and Samaritans were often considered outcasts. Yet Jesus broke down social and ethnic barriers, pursuing this woman who was far from God. This demonstrates Christ’s love for all people, regardless of background, status, or past.

Jesus is always intentional in His pursuit of us. He crosses every barrier, whether cultural, racial, or personal, to reach those who are lost. The same Jesus who met the Samaritan woman at the well meets us in our brokenness, offering the gift of living water—eternal life. This shows us that no one is too far from God’s grace, and His heart is always to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Scriptures to Study:

Luke 19:10, Ephesians 2:13-18, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 55:1


Living Water: The Gift of Eternal Life

When Jesus offers the Samaritan woman "living water," He is speaking of the eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that He alone can provide. Physical water temporarily quenches thirst, but the living water Jesus offers satisfies the deepest longings of the soul. The water Jesus gives is a continual source of life that wells up into eternity, symbolizing the spiritual renewal and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.

This living water is a free gift, not earned by human effort but received by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus invites all who are spiritually thirsty to come to Him. The Holy Spirit plays a central role in this renewal, as He fills us, sustains us, and empowers us to live in communion with God. In Christ, we are no longer spiritually parched but have a source of life that will never run dry.

Scriptures to Study:

John 7:37-39, Isaiah 44:3, Revelation 21:6, Jeremiah 2:13


The Woman's Response and the Offer of Grace

The Samaritan woman initially misunderstands Jesus’ offer of living water, thinking He is speaking of physical water. Her response, however, reveals a deeper longing: "Sir, give me this water." Although she doesn't fully understand yet, her request reflects a desire to escape her present condition. This mirrors how many people seek to satisfy spiritual thirst with earthly solutions, not realizing that only Jesus can meet their deepest needs.

Jesus' conversation with her is an offer of grace. He doesn’t condemn her past or her present, but He gently leads her to recognize her need for what only He can give—eternal life and spiritual fulfillment. Likewise, Christ invites us to come to Him with our thirst and receive the grace that only He can offer, regardless of our past mistakes or current struggles. Through the Holy Spirit, we experience this transformation and the overflowing of God's life in us.

Scriptures to Study:

John 6:35, Isaiah 12:3, Matthew 11:28-30, Titus 3:4-7


Summary of Key Points


Life Application Questions