John Calvin 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)

A woman came from Samaria. When He asks for water from the woman, He does so not merely with the intention of obtaining an opportunity to teach her; for thirst prompted Him to desire to drink.

But this physical need cannot prevent Him from making use of the opportunity for instruction that He has obtained, for He prefers the salvation of the woman to His own needs. Thus, forgetting His own thirst—as if He were satisfied with obtaining leisure and opportunity for conversation so that He might instruct her in true godliness—He draws a comparison between the visible water and the spiritual, and waters with heavenly doctrine the mind of the one who had refused Him water to drink.