Homilies on the Gospel of John

“Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then have you that living water?”

Already He has raised her from her low opinion of Him, and from deeming that He is a common man. For not without a reason does she here call Him, “Lord”; but assigning to Him high honor. That she spoke these words to honor Him, is plain from what is said afterwards, since she did not laugh nor mock, but doubted for a while. And wonder not if she did not at once perceive all, for neither did Nicodemus. What says he? “How can these things be?” and again, “How can a man be born when he is old?” and again, “Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” But this woman more reverently: “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then have you that living water?” Christ said one thing, and she imagined another, hearing nothing beyond the words, and as yet unable to form any lofty thought. Yet, had she spoken hastily, she might have said, “If you had had that living water, you would not have asked of me, but wouldest rather have provided for yourself. You are but a boaster.” But she said nothing like this; she answers with much gentleness, both at first and afterwards. For at first she says, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, ask drink of me?” she says not, as though speaking to an alien and an enemy, “Far be it from me to give to you, who art a foe and a stranger to our nation.” And afterwards again, when she heard Him utter great words, a thing at which enemies are most annoyed, she did not mock nor deride; but what says she?