The woman, awakened to astonishment and curiosity, could not resist asking how such a request came to be made. The answer of Jesus set before her three things: First, the fact that God is a Giver. She had known a little of the Law, but this set Him before her in a new light altogether. Second, He indicated the mysterious greatness of His own Person, since He was the Dispenser of God’s Gift. She saw in Him but a Jew who asked for a drink of water. When she knew Him, she would discover that He was really the Giver of a Gift of surpassing value. Third, He indicated the Gift to be “living water,” thus turning her thoughts from the natural to the spiritual. Both Nicodemus and this unnamed woman were alike in having at the outset no conception of the meaning of the Lord’s words, let alone the things of which He spoke. Twice in the Book of Jeremiah, Jehovah had presented Himself as “the fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:13; 17:13).

The misunderstanding of the woman led to further unfoldings contained in verse 14, which again seem to range themselves under three heads: First, the one who drinks of the living water as the Gift of Christ will have it “in him,” abiding in his very being. Then, it will be in him as a “well,” or “fountain” of water, “springing up into everlasting life.” A fountain of life within, which springs up to the level of its Source! Lastly, the drinking of such water and the possession of such a fountain will produce abiding satisfaction. The Lord used a very strong expression: “shall never thirst for ever” (jnd).