Joh 7:37-38 | RWP | e4.org | Now on the last day ( εν δε τη εσχατη ημερα ). The eighth day which was "an holy convocation," kept as a Sabbath ( ), apparently observed as a memorial of the entrance into Canaan, hence "the great day of the feast" ( τη μεγαλη της εορτης ). Stood and cried ( ιστηκε κα εκρασεν ). Past perfect active of ιστημ used as imperfect and intransitive and first aorist active of κραζω . Picture Jesus standing (linear) and suddenly crying out (punctiliar). If any man thirst ( εαν τις διψα ). Third class condition with εαν and present active subjunctive of διψαω , "if any one is thirsty." On each of the seven preceding days water was drawn in a golden pitcher from the pool of Siloam and carried in procession to the temple and offered by the priests as the singers chanted : "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." "It is uncertain whether the libations were made upon the eighth day. If they were not made, the significant cessation of the striking rite on this one day of the feast would give a still more fitting occasion for the words" (Westcott).

‏ John 7:37-38

Now on the last day ( εν δε τη εσχατη ημερα ). The eighth day which was "an holy convocation," kept as a Sabbath (Le 33:36), apparently observed as a memorial of the entrance into Canaan, hence "the great day of the feast" ( τη μεγαλη της εορτης ).

Stood and cried ( ιστηκε κα εκρασεν ). Past perfect active of ιστημ used as imperfect and intransitive and first aorist active of κραζω. Picture Jesus standing (linear) and suddenly crying out (punctiliar).

If any man thirst ( εαν τις διψα ). Third class condition with εαν and present active subjunctive of διψαω, "if any one is thirsty." On each of the seven preceding days water was drawn in a golden pitcher from the pool of Siloam and carried in procession to the temple and offered by the priests as the singers chanted Isa 12:3: "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." "It is uncertain whether the libations were made upon the eighth day. If they were not made, the significant cessation of the striking rite on this one day of the feast would give a still more fitting occasion for the words" (Westcott).

He that believeth on me ( ο πιστευων εις εμε ). Nominative absolute as is not uncommon.

The scripture ( η γραφη ). No precise passage can be quoted, though similar idea in several (Isa 55:1; 58:11; Zec 13:1; 14:8; Eze 47:1; Joe 3:18). Chrysostom confines it to Isa 28:16 by punctuation (only the nominative absolute as the Scripture).

Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water ( ποταμο εκ της κοιλιας αυτου ρευσουσιν υδατος ζωντος ). Some ancient Western writers connect πινετω of verse 37 with ο πιστευων in verse 38. By this arrangement αυτου (his) with κοιλιας is made to refer to Christ, not to the believer. Burney argues that κοιλια is a mistranslation of the Aramaic (fountain, not belly) and that the reference is to Eze 47:1. C.C. Torrey refers to Zec 14:8. But the Eastern writers refer αυτου (his) to the believer who not only quenches in Christ his own thirst, but becomes a source of new streams for others (Joh 4:14). It is a difficult question and Westcott finally changed his view and held αυτου to refer to Christ. Ρευσουσιν is future active indicative of ρεω, old verb, to flow, here only in the N.T.