Joh 4:54 | TNotes | STEP | 4:54 second miraculous sign ... in Galilee: Two miracles at Cana (2:11 ; 4:46 ) frame this section of John’s Gospel. Thematic note: Living Water In Israel, a land that frequently experienced drought, people were keenly aware of water sources and water quality. Springs and rivers that ran all year were few, so the people relied on cisterns to catch and store the winter rains and wells to tap underground water tables. In Jewish culture, “dead water” referred to standing or stored water. “Living water” referred to moving water, as in rivers, springs, and rainfall. Such water was precious because it was fresh. And because it came directly from God, it was used for ritual washings (see Lev 14:5-6 , 50-51 ; 15:13 ; Num 19:17-19 ). The distinction between “dead” and “living” water helps explain why the woman of Samaria was so perplexed when Jesus offered her living water (John 4:12 ). Samaria has no permanent river. If Jacob had to dig a well there, how could Jesus offer superior water? Jesus mentioned living water again in Jerusalem at the autumn Festival of Shelters (7:37-39 ). This festival, which fell during a dry time of year, included an emphasis on water. In this setting, Jesus stepped forward and made an extravagant claim: Anyone looking for living water should come to him and drink. Jesus is the source of living water; he came directly from God and brought divine renewal through the Spirit. Passages for Further Study Lev 14:5-6 , 50-51 ; 15:13 ; Num 19:17-19 ; Song 4:15 ; Jer 2:13 ; 17:13 ; John 4:10-14 ; 7:38-39 ; Jas 3:11-12

4:54 ^a second miraculous sign ... in Galilee: Two miracles at Cana (2:11 ^b; 4:46 ^c) frame this section of John’s Gospel.

Thematic note: Living Water
In Israel, a land that frequently experienced drought, people were keenly aware of water sources and water quality. Springs and rivers that ran all year were few, so the people relied on cisterns to catch and store the winter rains and wells to tap underground water tables. In Jewish culture, “dead water” referred to standing or stored water. “Living water” referred to moving water, as in rivers, springs, and rainfall. Such water was precious because it was fresh. And because it came directly from God, it was used for ritual washings (see Lev 14:5-6 ^d, 50-51 ^e; 15:13 ^f; Num 19:17-19 ^g).
The distinction between “dead” and “living” water helps explain why the woman of Samaria was so perplexed when Jesus offered her living water (John 4:12 ^h). Samaria has no permanent river. If Jacob had to dig a well there, how could Jesus offer superior water?
Jesus mentioned living water again in Jerusalem at the autumn Festival of Shelters (7:37-39 ⁱ). This festival, which fell during a dry time of year, included an emphasis on water. In this setting, Jesus stepped forward and made an extravagant claim: Anyone looking for living water should come to him and drink. Jesus is the source of living water; he came directly from God and brought divine renewal through the Spirit.

Passages for Further Study
Lev 14:5-6 ^j, 50-51 ^k; 15:13 ^l; Num 19:17-19 ^m; Song 4:15 ⁿ; Jer 2:13 ^o; 17:13 ^p; John 4:10-14 ^q; 7:38-39 ^r; Jas 3:11-12 ^s