John 7:37-39

John 7:37-39
Pentecost A

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37 On the lastA dayB of the festival,C the greatD day,

Notes on verse 37a

A “last” = eschatos. Related to eschaton (end, last); perhaps from echo (to have, possess, hold). This is last, end, extreme, final. It is often used to discuss the end times, prophecies of the future, and the afterlife. The branch of theology focusing on all these topics is called “eschatology.”
B “day” = hemera. Perhaps from hemai (to sit). This is day, time, or daybreak.
C “festival” = heorte. This is a holiday or feast.
D “great” = megas. This is big in a literal or figurative sense – great, large, exceeding, abundant, high, mighty, perfect, strong, etc.

while JesusE was standingF there, he cried out,G, H “Let anyone who is thirstyI comeJ to me, 

Notes on verse 37b

E “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
F “standing” = histemi. This is to stand, place, establish, appoint, stand ready, be steadfast.
G “cried out” = krazo. This is to cry out, scream, shriek. It is onomatopoeia for the sound of a raven’s call. Figuratively, this means crying out urgently without intelligible words to express something that is deeply felt.
H {untranslated} = lego. This is to speak, say, name, call, command. It is generally to convey verbally.
I “is thirsty” = dipsao. 16x in NT. From dipsa (thirst); from dipsos (thirst). This is thirst in a literal or figurative sense. Can also mean keenly desire.
J “come” = erchomai. This is to come or go.

38 and let the one who believesK in me drink.L As the scriptureM has said,

Notes on verse 38a

K “believes” = pisteuo. From pistis (faith, faithfulness, belief, trust, confidence; to be persuaded or come to trust); from peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust). This is to believe, entrust, have faith it, affirm, have confidence in. This is less to do with a series of beliefs or doctrines that one believes and more to do with faithfulness, loyalty, and fidelity. It is trusting and then acting based on that trust.
L “drink” = pino. This is to drink, literally or figuratively.
M “scripture” = graphe. From grapho (to write). This is literally writing, a document. In the New Testament, this is always used for scripture.

‘Out of the believer’s heartN shall flowO riversP of livingQ water.’”R 

Notes on verse 38b

N “heart” = koilia. From koilos (hollow). This is belly or organs in the abdomen. So, it could be stomach, womb, or heart. Figuratively, this refers to one’s inner self.
O “flow” = rheo. 1x in NT. This is to flow or overflow.
P “rivers” = potamos. Related to “drink” in v37. 17x in NT. From pino (see note L above). This is a river, brook, or water. It can also be a riverbed flowing with heavy rain or melted snow (like an arroyo).
Q “living” = zao. This is to live literally or figuratively. It is used for life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.
R “water” = hudor. Perhaps from huetos (rain); from huo (to rain). This is water literal or figurative. It is one of the roots that “hydrogen” and “hydroelectric” come from.

39 Now he said this about the Spirit,S which believersT in him were toU receive;V for as yet there wasW no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.X

Notes on verse 39

S “Spirit” = pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breath, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
T “believers” = pisteuo. Same as “believes” in v38. See note K above.
U “were to” = mello. Perhaps from melo (something that one is worried or concerned about, something one pays attention to or thinks about). Properly, this is ready, about to happen, to intend, delay, or linger. This is just on the point of acting.
V “receive” = lambano. It does not refer to passive receiving of something, but active acceptance or taking of something whether it is offered or simply nearby. It focuses on individual decision and action.
W “was” = eimi. This is to be or exist.
X “glorified” = doxazo. From doxa (glory, opinion, praise, honor, renown; particularly used as a quality of God or manifestation of God – splendor); from dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is to render or hold something as glorious, to glorify, honor, magnify, or celebrate. This is ascribing weight to something by recognizing its true value or essence.


Image credit: “Christ Cares for All” from the Church of the Natividad from Pangasinan, Philippines, 20th century.

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