“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water — Jesus promises that the believer will become a source of 'living water' flowing out. The scripture reference is debated; it may allude to Isaiah 55:1 (thirst), Ezekiel 47 (rivers from the temple), or Psalm 42 (living water). The image of water flowing from within (from the 'belly,' koilia, the innermost part) suggests an internal transformation that overflows to others. Believers, filled with the Spirit, become conduits of God's life-giving presence to the world.
Church Fathers on John 7:38
The feast being over, and the people about to return home, our Lord gives them provisions for the way: On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink.
The feast was then going on, which is called scenopegia, i.e. building of tents.
To make Himself audible, inspire confidence in others, and show an absence of all fear in Himself.
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!