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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 4:12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/43_Jhn_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:12 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/4-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/4-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/4-11.htm" title="John 4:11">◄</a> John 4:12 <a href="/john/4-13.htm" title="John 4:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/4.htm">New International Version</a> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” <a href="/esv/john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” <a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his livestock?" <a href="/kjv/john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? <a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” <a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons and his cattle?” <a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also?” <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.” <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You aren&#8217t greater than our father Jacob, are You? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Our ancestor Jacob dug this well for us, and his family and animals got water from it. Are you greater than Jacob?" <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You're not more important than our ancestor Jacob, are you? He gave us this well. He and his sons and his animals drank water from it." <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?" <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> You're not greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it, along with his sons and his flocks, are you?" <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?? <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Surely you're not greater than our ancestor Jacob, are you? For he gave us this well and drank from it himself, along with his sons and his livestock." <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, as did his children, and his livestock?" <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle? <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself drank from it, as did also his sons and his cattle?" <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself drank out of it, and his sons, and his livestock?” <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his livestock?" <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who did give us the well, and himself out of it did drink, and his sons, and his cattle?' <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thou art not greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and he himself drank of it, and his sons, and his young animals.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Surely, you are not greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and who drank from it, with his sons and his cattle?” <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Why, are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well, and he himself drank from it, and his sons and his sheep? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Are you greater than our forefather Jaqob, he who gave us this well, and he drank from it, also his children and his flock? “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself and his sons, and his herds, drank of it? <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle? <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> are you wiser than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, as well as his children, and cattle? <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself drank from it, as did also his sons and his cattle?" <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Art Thou greater than our Father Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself drank of it, and his sons, and his cattle?" <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle? <a href="/parallel/john/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=991" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Jesus and the Samaritan Woman</a> …11“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? 12<a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">Are</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizōn (Adj-NMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greater than</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patros (N-GMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father</a> <a href="/greek/2384.htm" title="2384: Iakōb (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites.">Jacob,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">who</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōken (V-AIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">gave</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">this</a> <a href="/greek/5421.htm" title="5421: phrear (N-ANS) -- A pit, well, cistern. Of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground, i.e. A cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss.">well</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: epien (V-AIA-3S) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">drank</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">himself,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">as did</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huioi (N-NMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">sons</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2353.htm" title="2353: thremmata (N-NNP) -- (lit: a nursling, hence probably) plur: cattle. From trepho; stock.">livestock?”</a> 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a> And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a> And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.” <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a> And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants. <a href="/acts/7-16.htm">Acts 7:16</a> Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver. <a href="/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?” <a href="/john/7-42.htm">John 7:42</a> Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a> And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1-3</a> What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” <a href="/hebrews/7-4.htm">Hebrews 7:4-10</a> Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. / Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. / But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ... <a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21</a> Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? <a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a> Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15</a> for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. <a href="/genesis/26-19.htm">Genesis 26:19-22</a> Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there. / But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. / Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. ... <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Genesis 29:10</a> As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, with Laban’s sheep, he went up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Genesis 21:30</a> He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?<a href="/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?<a href="/isaiah/53-2.htm">Isaiah 53:2,3</a> For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him… <a href="/matthew/12-42.htm">Matthew 12:42</a> The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/2-15.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Children</a> <a href="/john/2-10.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/john/4-10.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/luke/2-8.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/luke/3-9.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/john/4-11.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/john/4-6.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-4.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/john/4-11.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/john/8-39.htm">Children</a> <a href="/acts/9-9.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/john/4-15.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/john/8-53.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/john/4-14.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/john/5-18.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/genesis/13-5.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/john/6-50.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/john/4-13.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">John 4</div>1. <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.</a> 27. <a href="/john/4-27.htm">His disciples marvel.</a> 31. <a href="/john/4-31.htm">He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.</a> 39. <a href="/john/4-39.htm">Many Samaritans believe on him.</a> 43. <a href="/john/4-43.htm">He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Are You greater than our father Jacob This question posed by the Samaritan woman highlights the deep respect and reverence the Samaritans had for Jacob, a patriarch of Israel. Jacob, also known as Israel, was a significant figure in Jewish history, and his legacy was cherished by both Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans considered themselves descendants of Jacob through Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. This question implies a challenge to Jesus' authority and identity, as Jacob was a revered ancestor. The question also foreshadows the revelation of Jesus' true identity as greater than any patriarch, prophet, or king, aligning with passages like <a href="/hebrews/3-3.htm">Hebrews 3:3</a>, which states that Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses.who gave us this well The well in question is traditionally identified as Jacob's Well, located near the town of Sychar in Samaria. This well is significant not only for its historical connection to Jacob but also as a symbol of God's provision and faithfulness. The well's association with Jacob underscores the deep historical roots and shared heritage between Jews and Samaritans. Archaeologically, Jacob's Well is one of the few biblical sites with a strong tradition and evidence supporting its authenticity. The well represents the physical sustenance provided by God, contrasting with the spiritual sustenance Jesus offers.and drank from it himself This phrase emphasizes the personal connection Jacob had with the well, suggesting its authenticity and importance. It also highlights the continuity of God's provision from the time of the patriarchs to the present. The act of drinking from the well symbolizes the sustenance and life that God provides, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4</a>, this physical act of drinking is contrasted with the living water Jesus offers, which leads to eternal life.as did his sons and his livestock? The mention of Jacob's sons and livestock drinking from the well underscores the well's role as a source of life and sustenance for the entire community. It reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the patriarchs and the importance of water in sustaining both human and animal life. This detail connects the past with the present, showing the continuity of God's provision. The reference to livestock also recalls the pastoral life of the patriarchs, as seen in Genesis, and highlights the well's significance as a communal resource. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal Himself as the source of living water, offering spiritual sustenance that surpasses the physical.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> - The central figure in the Gospel of John, who is engaging in a conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. 2. <a href="/topical/s/samaritan_woman.htm">Samaritan Woman</a> - A resident of Samaria who encounters Jesus at Jacob's well and questions His authority and identity. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> - The patriarch who is referenced by the Samaritan woman as the one who provided the well, highlighting the historical and spiritual significance of the location. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jacob's_well.htm">Jacob's Well</a> - A significant historical and spiritual site in Samaria, symbolizing the shared heritage between Jews and Samaritans. 5. <a href="/topical/s/samaritans.htm">Samaritans</a> - A group with shared ancestry with the Jews but distinct religious practices, often at odds with Jewish people during Jesus' time.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_superiority.htm">Understanding Jesus' Superiority</a> The Samaritan woman's question highlights a common theme in the Gospels: the comparison of Jesus to revered patriarchs. Jesus is greater than Jacob, not just in providing physical water but in offering living water, which is eternal life. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_historical_context.htm">Cultural and Historical Context</a> Recognizing the significance of Jacob's well helps us understand the deep cultural and historical roots of the conversation. It reminds us of the shared heritage and the divisions between Jews and Samaritans. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_thirst_and_fulfillment.htm">Spiritual Thirst and Fulfillment</a> The well symbolizes physical sustenance, but Jesus offers spiritual fulfillment. This teaches us to seek Jesus for our deepest needs, beyond physical or material satisfaction. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_down_barriers.htm">Breaking Down Barriers</a> Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman demonstrates breaking social and cultural barriers. We are called to reach out and share the Gospel across divides. <a href="/topical/i/identity_and_authority_of_christ.htm">Identity and Authority of Christ</a> The question posed by the Samaritan woman invites us to reflect on who Jesus is. Understanding His identity and authority is crucial for our faith and witness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 4</a> <a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_john's_imprisonment_dates.htm">How do we reconcile the chronology of John the Baptist's imprisonment (Matthew 4:12) with differing accounts in other Gospels?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_verify_jacob's_well's_existence.htm">How can we verify the historical or archaeological existence of Jacob's well mentioned in John 4:6?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'god_of_all_comfort'_mean.htm">What does 'God of all comfort' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Art thou greater . . .?--Again, the pronoun is the emphatic word, "Thou surely art not greater." "The well used to satisfy the wants of the patriarch, and his household, and his flocks, and has come down from him to us. It is surely sufficient for all our wants." This claim of Jacob as their father was through Ephraim and Joseph, and the well was part of "the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his .son Joseph" (<a href="/john/4-5.htm" title="Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.">John 4:5</a>). There was abundance of water near to it, but a patriarchal household could not depend for a necessity of life upon neighbours who may be hostile, and Jacob had dug this well in his own purchased plot. It was sacred, then, as the very spot where their asserted ancestor had digged his well and built his altar. There was an unbroken continuity in the history of the place, and it was prized the more because it was not so in the history of the people.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? We observe here the Samaritaness's claim to be a descendant of Ephraim, of Joseph, of Jacob himself who dug the well. By rising up behind the family of Ephraim to the father of Judah as well as of Joseph, the woman claims a kind of kinship with Jesus. The "our" in this case is not a monopoly of the honours of Jacob for herself and her people. Her national pride is softening under the glance of the great Son of David, and she has a growing sense of the claims and dignity of the Person she is addressing, though her thought is couched in words that may be ironical. This was the kind of challenge which our Lord never refused to honour. Just as on other occasions he claimed to be "greater than the temple," and "Lord of the sabbath," and "before Abraham," and "greater than Moses, Solomon," or "Jonas," so here he quietly admits that he is indeed greater than "our father Jacob." The lifelike reality of the scene is evidenced in the alertness and feminine loquacity of the final clause (θρέμματα are "cattle," not "servants," as seen in passages quoted by Meyer from Xenophon, Plato, Josephus, etc.). The nomadic condition of the first fathers of this race is brilliantly touched off by the sentence. <a href="/commentaries/john/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. You σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. greater than μείζων (meizōn) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. father πατρὸς (patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. Jacob, Ἰακώβ (Iakōb) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2384.htm">Strong's 2384: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites. who ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. gave ἔδωκεν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. us ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [this] τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. well φρέαρ (phrear) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5421.htm">Strong's 5421: </a> A pit, well, cistern. Of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground, i.e. A cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. drank ἔπιεν (epien) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe. from ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. it αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. himself, αὐτὸς (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [as did] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. sons υἱοὶ (huioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. livestock?? θρέμματα (thremmata) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2353.htm">Strong's 2353: </a> (lit: a nursling, hence probably) plur: cattle. From trepho; stock. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:12 Are you greater than our father Jacob (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>