37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39 KJV)
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
In these verses, we have Christ’s discourse with its explanation (John 7:37-39). These words may be only brief notes of what he fully said, but they contain the essence of the gospel—a gospel invitation to come to Christ, and a gospel promise of comfort and joy in him.
He gave this invitation on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, that great day (Leviticus 23:36). This was when many people were gathered, giving opportunity for the most good (Proverbs 1:20). It was also the time when people were returning home, so he left them with a parting word. When a great gathering is to be dismissed, it is moving to think they may never meet again in this life; that is the time to say or do what we can to help them to heaven. Christ made this offer on the last day to those who had previously ignored his preaching, trying once more; and to those who might never have another such offer. “Now is the accepted time” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Jesus stood and cried out, showing his deep earnestness to draw souls to himself. The posture of his body and the lifting of his voice reflected the intensity of his heart. He wanted all to hear and respond. The gospel is proclaimed openly because it fears no scrutiny (Isaiah 55:1).
The invitation was general: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Whoever he is—high or low, rich or poor, young or old, Jew or Gentile—he is invited. The persons invited are those who thirst, meaning either those in need, whether outwardly or spiritually, or those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and desire God’s favor and work in them (Matthew 5:6). They must not go to the ceremonial law, which cannot cleanse or perfect (Hebrews 10:1), nor to empty philosophy, but to Christ, the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13).
The promise is that they will drink—that is, be satisfied and abundantly refreshed. Jesus added, “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). To come to Christ is to believe in him according to Scripture, not according to personal invention. Believers will have Christ in them as a well of water springing up to eternal life (John 4:14).
The living water represents the graces and comforts of the Spirit—active, life-giving, and foretaste of eternal life. “Rivers” suggests plenty and constancy, strong enough to sweep away fears and doubts. These flow from the heart, where the Spirit works and rules, producing good actions and benefiting others (Proverbs 4:23; 10:11). Our fountains must be dispersed abroad for the good of others (Proverbs 5:15-16).
“As the Scripture has said” refers to Old Testament promises about the outpouring of the Spirit (Proverbs 1:23; Joel 2:28; Isaiah 44:3; Zechariah 12:10), water in dry lands (Isaiah 41:18; 43:19), and springs in the soul (Isaiah 58:11; Song of Solomon 4:15). There may also be an allusion to the temple waters in Ezekiel 47:1 and Revelation 22:1. At the feast, the Jews had a tradition of pouring out water from Siloam with joy, signifying either the law (Isaiah 12:3; 55:1) or the Spirit. Jesus offered not a vessel of water from a pool, but rivers flowing from within believers—the joy of the gospel surpassing the joy of the law.
John explains, “This he spoke concerning the Spirit” (John 7:39)—not outward blessings, but the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit. All who believe in Christ receive the Spirit (Acts 2:39). The Spirit within believers is a fountain of living water, making them fruitful and others joyful (John 3:5). The apostles’ bold preaching after Pentecost fulfilled, “Out of his heart will flow rivers” (Acts 2:4).
This abundant outpouring of the Spirit was still future, because Jesus was not yet glorified. He was worthy of all honor, but still in a state of humiliation. If Christ had to wait for his glory, so must we. The Spirit existed from eternity and worked in Old Testament saints, but the full, general, and powerful outpouring promised in Joel 2:28 awaited Pentecost. The difference in the disciples before and after that day shows what was meant by “not yet given.”
The Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified. His death was part of that glorification (John 13:31) and purchased the Spirit’s gift. The Spirit would also come as an answer to Christ’s intercession (John 14:16) and as an act of his reign. The Gentiles’ conversion was part of Christ’s glorification (John 12:23). Until the gospel was ready to go to the nations, there was no need for the gift of tongues. Though delayed, the promise was secure (Acts 1:4).