John 7:37-40

Expanded Bible

Jesus Talks About the Spirit

³⁷ On the last and ·most important [^Lgreatest] day of the feast Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [^CThe feast of Shelters/Tabernacles featured a water pouring ritual that may stand in the background of Jesus’ speech.] ³⁸ If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person’s ·heart [^Lbelly; gut], as the Scripture says [Is. 55:1; 58:11; Ezek. 47:1–12; Zech. 14:8, compare John 4:10–11; Rev. 7:17; 22:1].” ³⁹ Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been ·raised to glory [glorified]. But later, those who believed in Jesus would receive the Spirit.

The People Argue About Jesus

⁴⁰ When the people heard Jesus’ words, some of them said, “This man really is the Prophet [1:21; ^Cthe “prophet like Moses” of Deut. 18:15–18].”