The Samaritan woman laughed heartily at Jesus’ offer and responded . “Sir, you do not even have a bucket, and this well is deep. From where do you propose to get this living water?” (Jn 4:12)
Seeing that Jesus was unmoved by her jest, she continued with seriousness: “You must know this is the well of our ancestor Jacob, who himself drank of it. This is the well that sustained his sons and their flocks, and now sustains us. Surely you do not think yourself greater than Jacob!” (Jn 4:13)
In his reply, Jesus reasoned with her that anyone who drinks of Jacob’s well will become thirsty again, but “anyone who drinks the living water which God supplies through [me] will become a fountain.” (Jn 4:13–14, translation from Nyrimana & Draper- see side note for citation).
Astonished, the woman challenged him to fulfill his offer. “Sir, give me this water, that I may drink it and never thirst again. Make it so I never have to return to this well.” (Jn 4:15)
Jesus said to her, “First, go get your husband.” When she replied that she had none, he told her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” (Jn 4:16–18, direct quote from NRSV)
“Sir,” the woman said tersely, “You make obvious that you are a prophet. My ancestors worshiped on this mountain. It is you Jews who claim that we must only worship in Jerusalem.”
To this, Jesus replied: “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (Jn 4:21–24, direct quote from NRSV)
She looked Jesus boldly in the eye, and told him, “I know the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will reveal everything to us.” (Jn 4:25)
Jesus nodded, approvingly. “I am he.” (Jn 4:26)
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