fountain will be transformed, but the duration of its existence; it will forever spring up in the soul. The contrast throughout these verses is between earthly and spiritual supplies. The _well_ (φρέαρ) is a symbol of earthly supply. This appeases but never satisfies; for it furnishes that which is external, and which is consumed in the using, so that the soul which relies on earthly cisterns for its satisfaction thirsts again. The living water, the spring (πηγή) which Christ gives, becomes a fountain in the soul, it enters into and becomes part of the character; using does not consume but increases the supply. In Christ’s promise here thirst is not equivalent to “desire,” nor is the declaration “shall never thirst,” equivalent to “shall never feel any spiritual want.” Thirst is of all bodily cravings the most painful and intolerable. Hence it is used in the Bible as a metaphor, not merely of spiritual _desires_, but of an urgent and intense desire, that cannot be denied (Psalm 42:2; 63:1; 143:6; Isaiah 55:1; Matt. 5:6, note). Here then the declaration is that Christ satisfies this painful longing, so that the soul shall experience it no more. Of soul-thirst we have striking illustrations in Psalms 41 and 42, and in Rom. 7:17-24; of soul-satisfaction in Christ, illustrations in Psalm 46 and in Rom. 8:31-39. Compare Christ’s promises in John 11:36; 16:32, 33. The continuance of earnest spiritual desires is not inconsistent with a rich spiritual experience. See Phil. 3:12-14. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. =15.= There is certainly a difference in tone between this request and the answer of verses 11, 13. The woman now dimly recognizes and vaguely appreciates Christ’s interpretation of her own soul-want, and replies half in jest, half in earnest. But her language “neither come hither to draw,” shows that she still gives to Christ’s words, as I think purposely misinterpreting them, a prosaic and literal meaning. Observe the implied misapprehension of the office of Christ, as one who relieves the soul of all further care and labor in the matter of religion. “There are many like her who would be glad of such a divine gift of religion as should take away all the labor and trouble of Christian life. ‘That I come not hither to draw’ is the desire of thousands who want the results of right living without the trouble of living aright.”--(_H. W. Beecher._) 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.