John 7:38
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
King James Version
The Spirit as rivers of living water flowing from believers, fulfilling Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 47.
Fulfillment References
Isaiah 44:3 Ezekiel 47:1 Acts 2:4
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'He that believeth on me... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water' — which John explains is the Spirit, given when Jesus was glorified (v. 39; cf. Acts 2:4). The living water is the indwelling Spirit of God, poured out from the risen Christ; the same God who is the fountain of living waters (Jer. 2:13) now flows from within His people. Christ gives the Spirit because the Spirit is His own — the one God.
JewishThe imagery draws on the water-pouring of the Feast of Tabernacles and prophecies of living water from Jerusalem (Ezek. 47; Zech. 14:8) — a hope of God's life-giving provision.
CatholicThe living water is the Holy Spirit flowing from Christ (and from the believer), read with the water from His side (John 19:34) and baptism (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantThe Spirit, given after Jesus' glorification (v. 39; Pentecost), wells up in and flows from the believer.
AcademicSet at the Tabernacles water ceremony; the 'scripture' alluded to is uncertain (Isa. 58:11; Zech. 14:8; Ezek. 47), and the punctuation of the saying is debated.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.