4:11a

“Sir,” the woman replied: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sir is a polite form of address. Use whatever term is natural in your language for showing respect to a religious teacher.

4:11b–c

You have nothing to draw with: This clause indicates that Jesus did not have a container to use to get water out of the well. He probably did not have a rope to pull it up with either.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you don’t have anything to use to get water (God’s Word)
-or-
you have nothing to dip with

the well is deep: Apparently this well did not have a way to walk or climb down to the water. It was a straight hole. People who needed water lowered a container into the well on a rope.

4:11d

Where then will You get this living water?: This is a real question. Even though the woman did not understand how Jesus could give her water, she really wanted some.

General Comment on 4:11a–d

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in this verse. You may want to place the quote introducer in the middle of the woman’s speech. For example:

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?” (New International Version)
-or-
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?” (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
“But sir, because you don’t have a bucket ⌊to get the water⌋ and the well is very deep, how will you get this water?” the woman asked him.

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