Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 4:7

"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." — John 4:7 (ASV)

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Wonderful words of condescension! The Creator is asking His creature for a drink. Perfect holiness is asking of a sinner, He, without whom there were no clouds, or rain, or springs, or wells, says to a sinful woman, Give me to drink.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

That is practically what Jesus still says to the sons and daughters of men: "Give me to drink." He asks for your love, for your trust, for your confidence. It is his meat and drink to bless your soul, and to give you the blessing that you need, and it is a refreshment to his spirit when you give him the opportunity of thus blessing you.

There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water:

That was not the usual time for drawing water; women generally went to the well in the morning and in the evening; but this poor fallen creature was not one with whom other women would associate, so she came alone, at the hour when the sun was hottest, and when nobody else would be likely to be there.

Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

This was quite a natural way of beginning a conversation; and they will best touch other people's minds and hearts who do not harshly interject religion, but who wisely introduce it, leading up to it with a holy dexterousness such as our Lord always exhibited. He begins, not with any remarks about the woman's life, or her sin, or even about his great salvation, but with the simple request, Give me to drink.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water:

Providence was at work so that, when Christ reached the well, this woman was on her way there. It was very late in the day for anyone to go to draw water; but, probably, the other women, who went to the well early in the morning, were not willing to associate with her, so she had to go by herself. Late as she was, however, she was all in good time, for she reached the spot just when Christ was waiting to bless her.