John 4:11

11 "Sir," the woman said, "you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water?

John 4:11 Meaning and Commentary

John 4:11

The woman saith unto him, Sir
Which was an usual, way in those countries, of addressing men, and especially strangers; and expresses no uncommon respect to Christ, of whose dignity and greatness she was, entirely ignorant; and at whom she was now scoffing; for so the following words are to be understood:

thou hast nothing to draw with;
no pail, or bucket, or rope, to let it down with, as Nonnus adds; for it seems, there was no bucket, or vessel, fastened at the well for the common use, but everyone brought one with them, when they came to draw: though it is strange there was not one; since, according to common usage, and even of the Jews ^F21,

``a public well had, (lwq) , "a bucket", or pitcher; but a private well had no bucket:''

and the well is deep;
that which is now called Jacob's well, is by some said to be forty cubits deep, and by others thirty five yards:

from whence then hast thou that living water?
this she said in a sneering, scoffing manner: she reasoned with him, either that he must have it out of this well; but that could not be, since he had no vessel to draw with, and the well was so deep, that he could not come at the water without one; or he must have it from some neighbouring spring; upon which she scoffs at him in the following manner.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 T. Hieros. Erubin, fol. 20. 2.

John 4:11 In-Context

9 The woman answered, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan - so how can you ask me for a drink?" (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.)

10 Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water."

11 "Sir," the woman said, "you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water?

12 It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?"

13 Jesus answered, "Those who drink this water will get thirsty again,