God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
      c. He assures her what he would have done for her if she had applied to him: "He would have given thee (and not have upbraided thee as thou doest me) living water." By this living water is meant the Spirit, who is not like the water in the bottom of the well, for some of which he asked, but like living or running water, which was much more valuable. Note, (a.) The Spirit of grace is as living water; see John 7:38; John 7:38. Under this similitude the blessings of the Messiah had been promised in the Old Testament, Isaiah 12:3; Isaiah 35:7; Isaiah 44:4; Isaiah 55:1; Zechariah 14:8. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature and necessity. (b.) Jesus Christ can and will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him; for he received that he might give.