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?

JOHN 4:11KJV
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John 4:11 (KJV)

What does John 4:11 mean?

John 4:11 shows the Samaritan woman questioning Jesus about how he could offer "living water" when he has no bucket and the well is deep. She is puzzled and takes Jesus’ words literally, wondering where he could possibly get this special water.

In this scene, the woman is speaking directly to Jesus at Jacob’s well. She respectfully calls him "Sir" and points out the practical problem: Jesus has no way to draw water, and the well is very deep. Her question highlights her confusion and sets up the conversation where Jesus will explain that he is speaking about something much greater than ordinary water.

The Greek behind John 4:11

  • "Sir" (κύριε, kyrie): This word can mean "lord," "master," or simply "sir" as a polite address. Here, it shows the woman’s respectful tone toward Jesus, even though she does not yet know who he is.
  • "Living" (ζῶν, zōn): This word means "living" or "alive." In the phrase "living water," it can refer to fresh, flowing water (like a spring), but Jesus uses it to hint at something spiritual and life-giving, which the woman does not yet understand.
  • "Well" (φρέαρ, phrear): This word specifically means a deep well or shaft, not just any water source. The detail emphasizes the practical difficulty the woman sees in Jesus’ offer.

Why John 4:11 matters

  • John 4:11 highlights the woman’s literal understanding of Jesus’ words, which helps readers see the contrast between physical needs and spiritual truths that runs through this whole conversation.
  • The verse sets up Jesus’ explanation about "living water," making it clear that he is talking about something deeper than just quenching physical thirst.
  • This moment shows the respectful but skeptical attitude of the woman, which makes her later realization and faith more striking as the story unfolds.

Where else these words appear

“deep” Greek G901 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
  • Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

“well” Greek G5421 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
  • John 4:12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
  • Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

“whence” Greek G4159 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
  • Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
  • John 7:27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

“nothing” Greek G3777 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
  • Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.