But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

JOHN 4:14KJV
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John 4:14 (KJV)

What does John 4:14 mean?

John 4:14 says that anyone who receives the "water" Jesus gives will never be spiritually thirsty again; instead, this water will become a source of continual, overflowing life within them, leading to eternal life. Jesus is describing a gift that fully satisfies and sustains a person forever.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a Samaritan woman at a well, using the image of water to explain a deeper spiritual truth. He contrasts ordinary water, which leaves people thirsty again, with the spiritual "water" he offers—often understood as the Holy Spirit or the new life God gives. The conversation takes place during a chance meeting, where Jesus uses everyday needs to reveal spiritual realities.

The Greek behind John 4:14

  • ὕδωρ (hydōr) — "water": This word is used both for the physical water from the well and the spiritual "water" Jesus offers, highlighting the contrast between temporary and lasting satisfaction.
  • πηγὴ (pēgē) — "well" or "spring": The Greek here means a spring or fountain, not just a container of water. Jesus describes the gift as something active and overflowing, not stagnant.
  • ἀναβάλλομαι (anaballomai) — "springing up": This word means to leap or bubble up, painting a picture of something lively and abundant, not just barely enough.
  • εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον (eis zōēn aiōnion) — "into everlasting life": The phrase points to a life that does not end, emphasizing the eternal quality of what Jesus gives.

Why John 4:14 matters

  • John 4:14 makes clear that Jesus is offering something far deeper than physical comfort or temporary relief; he promises a lasting, inward change that meets the deepest needs of the human heart.
  • The verse helps explain the difference between external religion or ritual and the inner, ongoing life that Jesus describes—something that is active within a person and leads to eternal life.
  • This verse connects to the wider conversation in John 4, where Jesus gently leads the woman from thinking about daily needs to considering her spiritual condition and the true source of life.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G242 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
  • Acts 14:10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

“well” Greek G4077 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
  • Revelation 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

“shall” Greek G1372 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
  • John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
  • Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

“drinketh” Greek G4095 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
  • John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.