(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

JOHN 7:39KJV
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John 7:39 (KJV)

What does John 7:39 mean?

John 7:39 explains that when Jesus spoke about "living water," he was referring to the Holy Spirit, whom believers would later receive. At that moment, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified through his death and resurrection.

John, the writer, is clarifying for his readers what Jesus meant earlier in the conversation. Jesus was speaking to a crowd during a festival in Jerusalem, promising something new for those who believed in him. The verse points out that the giving of the Holy Spirit was something that would only happen after Jesus completed his mission and was "glorified," meaning after his resurrection and return to God.

The Greek behind John 7:39

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, "Spirit"): This word is often understood as "Spirit" or "breath." Here, it clearly refers to the Holy Spirit, showing that Jesus was not talking about physical water, but about a spiritual gift.
  • δοξασθῇ (doxasthē, "glorified"): The Greek word means "to be glorified" or "honored." In John's Gospel, this often refers to Jesus' death, resurrection, and return to the Father, marking the moment when the Holy Spirit would be given.
  • ἦν οὔπω (ēn oupō, "was not yet"): This phrase stresses that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given in the way Jesus promised, highlighting a change that would come only after Jesus' glorification.

Why John 7:39 matters

  • John 7:39 clears up that Jesus' promise of "living water" was not about physical needs, but about the coming of the Holy Spirit for believers.
  • The verse shows that the Holy Spirit's arrival is closely tied to Jesus' death, resurrection, and return to God, helping readers see the timeline of these events.
  • This explanation connects Jesus' words to the larger story of the Gospel, showing how the promise of the Spirit fits into God's plan revealed through Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“yet” Greek G3764 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
  • John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
  • John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

“yet” Greek G3768 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • John 7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
  • Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

“was” Greek G1392 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
  • Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

“should” Greek G3195 · used in 107 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
  • Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.