John 7: Rivers of Living Water

Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Some people believe in Him while others argue or want to arrest Him. On the last day of the feast, He invites anyone who is thirsty to come to Him and drink, promising rivers of living water, which is the Holy Spirit. Even the officers sent to arrest Him say no one ever spoke like Him.

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Read John 7

World English Bible · 53 verses

¹ After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Jesus therefore said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, “Where is he?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never been educated?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Jesus therefore answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God or if I am speaking from myself.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Didn’t Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ The multitude answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Jesus answered them, “I did one work and you all marvel because of it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Therefore some of them of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this he whom they seek to kill?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ However, we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don’t know.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ Then Jesus said, “I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ You will seek me and won’t find me. You can’t come where I am.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ So a division arose in the multitude because of him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, “Why didn’t you bring him?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ The Pharisees therefore answered them, “You aren’t also led astray, are you?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ Have any of the rulers or any of the Pharisees believed in him?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁹ But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵² They answered him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵³ Everyone went to his own house,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

John 7 · Preschool

Come to Jesus and Drink

Name Date

Color the picture. Point to the flowing water.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”

John 7:46 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Pour a cup of water. Jesus gives us His Spirit!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

John 7 · Grade 4

Who Is This Man?

Name Date

Read and Think

The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of the years God cared for them in the wilderness. (Background: Jewish writings tell us that each day of the feast priests poured out water.) Jesus' own brothers did not yet believe in Him. Jesus went up to the feast quietly and began teaching in the temple. People wondered how He knew so much without formal training. Jesus said His teaching was from the Father, and anyone who wants to do God's will would know it.

The crowd was divided. Some thought He was the Christ. Others said the Christ would come from Bethlehem, not knowing Jesus was born there. Some wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

On the greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out to everyone. If anyone is thirsty, come to Me and drink! He promised that believers would have rivers of living water flowing from within. John explains that He spoke of the Spirit, who would be given after Jesus was glorified. The temple officers came back amazed, saying no one ever spoke like this man.

Show What You Know

What did Jesus invite anyone who is thirsty to do?
Why did no one lay a hand on Jesus?
What did some people not know about the Christ coming from Bethlehem?
When would the Spirit be given?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

Godwatertemplecomedrink

The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of the years cared for them in the wilderness.
Jesus went up to the feast quietly and began teaching in the .
Others said the Christ would from Bethlehem, not knowing Jesus was born there.
If anyone is thirsty, come to Me and !
He promised that believers would have rivers of living flowing from within.

Think About It

People were divided about Jesus. What did some say about Him, and what did others say?
Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty. What does it mean to be thirsty for God?

Memory Verse

Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!

John 7:37 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Jesus said His teaching was not His own but came from the Father. How can you tell if a teaching is from God?
People had different opinions about Jesus. How can you stand for Jesus when others disagree?
The officers said no one ever spoke like Jesus. What words of Jesus mean the most to you?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

John 7 · Grade 5

If Anyone Is Thirsty

Name Date

Read and Think

John 7 is set at the Feast of Tabernacles, when Israel lived in shelters to remember God's care in the wilderness. Each morning a priest carried water from the pool of Siloam and poured it out at the altar. Jesus' brothers mocked Him, urging Him to show off. But Jesus moved on His Father's timing, not theirs. He went up privately and then taught openly in the temple.

The chapter is full of questions about Jesus. Is He a good man or a deceiver? Where did He get His learning? Is He the Christ? Jesus said that whoever is willing to do God's will would recognize that His teaching was from God. He pointed out that the leaders circumcised on the Sabbath but condemned Him for making a man whole. He told them not to judge by appearance, but with righteous judgment.

On the last and greatest day, Jesus stood and cried out with a bold invitation. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water. The water ceremony looked back to the rock in the wilderness. Jesus said He is the true source. The officers sent to arrest Him returned empty-handed, saying, No man ever spoke like this man! The Pharisees scorned the crowd, but Nicodemus reminded them that the law requires hearing a person first. Then everyone went home, still divided.

Show What You Know

What did the daily water ceremony at the feast look back to?
Whose timing did Jesus follow?
What kind of judgment did Jesus say to use?
What did Jesus claim by inviting the thirsty to come to Him?
What did Nicodemus remind the Pharisees about the law?

Crossword

Across

He asked for a fair hearing for Jesus.
Where Jesus taught.

Down

Jesus invited the ____ to come and drink.
Jesus' ____ did not believe in Him yet.
Jesus went there for the big feast.
Rivers of living water meant the Holy ____.

Think About It

Jesus told people not to judge by appearance. When have you judged someone too quickly?
The officers said no one ever spoke like Jesus. Which words of Jesus have amazed you?

Memory Verse

Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!

John 7:37 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Jesus said that anyone who wants to do God's will can know whether His teaching is true. How does obeying God help us understand Him better?
People had different opinions about Jesus. How can you stand for Jesus when others disagree?
How can God's Spirit in you bless others?

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John 7: Rivers of Living Water

Read John 7

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Come to Jesus and Drink

Prayer

Take It Home

Come to Jesus

Trace the Words

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Mini Maze

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Rivers of Living Water

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If Anyone Is Thirsty

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No One Ever Spoke Like Him

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Who Is This Man?

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Word Bank Fill-In

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Prayer

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If Anyone Is Thirsty

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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