"A BETTER WELL" (An Article by Christian Henry) ~ 7/9/26

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 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 4:13-14)

Jesus is currently traveling around Judea, preaching, prophesying, and making disciples, who were then baptized by His followers. As is tradition, the Pharisees in Judea were not happy with this. “How dare you make people feel good and save their souls!” they yelled as they raised the alarms and chased them out of the city. That was all well and good, because he had already finished the work he had come to Judea to do, so they were essentially telling Him to get lost as He walked out the door. Jesus’ next destination was Galilee, and to get there, He would have to pass through Sychar, a city in Samaria near Jacob’s well (Genesis 33). Jesus was sitting by the well, tired from his travels (showing that He was truly a man, one prone to the common fatigue of a weary traveler), where He had this famous interaction.

A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water when Jesus asked her for a drink because His disciples had gone into town. Now, at the time, it was considered culturally taboo for a Jewish man to randomly start talking to a Samaritan woman, prompting her response because she believed the conversation shouldn’t happen due to differences in both race and gender. Jesus then addresses her confusion and says that if she only knew who stood before her, she would ask Him for a drink of life-giving water. Bewildered, she asks if He is claiming to be superior to Jacob, one with access to a better well. Christ doesn’t directly answer the question but instead, cuts to the core of the matter (something He does a lot). Our Savior gives an answer by which she might infer His superiority. He didn’t despise or devalue Jacob and his gifts, but however great Jacob’s well, its water couldn’t provide life.

Jesus, in his reply, stated the excellence of that living water he alone had the power and readiness to give; all she had to do was ask. He did this in a mild and gentle way, patiently bearing her scoffs and attitude, while continuing to instruct and inform her concerning this living water and showing its preferability to all others. So often, we are too quick to get angry and dismiss someone who laughs off what we say or questions us, but Jesus shows the importance of tolerance in such situations because saving souls is worth it. The water of this well can only provide temporary relief. No matter how much one drinks from Jacob’s well, or any other common water, they will be subject to thirst again; just as this woman had done many times and would again, and as Jesus did, who very likely afterward got His drink.

For though water can help one beat the heat, quench thirst, and refresh the spirit, these effects last but for a while. In time, natural heat increases and thirst returns until there is a need to drink water again. The contrast between the waters is fundamental and all-comprehensive. "This water" plainly means "this natural water and all satisfactions it brings,” which can only satisfy on a superficial level for a time. The “water” that Christ gives, on the other hand, is a fountain flowing forth, ever fresh, ever living. One drink from that well and we will never thirst again. The water of Jacob's well yielded a very short joy. Whatever “waters” of comfort we drink while on earth, we will thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace and the comforts of the gospel will never want that which will abundantly satisfy the soul.