John 7:37

ἐν … μεγάλῃ. Now on the last day, the great day. This was probably not the seventh day, but the eighth day, which according to Leviticus 23:36; Leviticus 23:39; Numbers 29:35; Nehemiah 3:18, was reckoned along with the seven days of the feast proper. To speak of the seventh day as ‘the great day of the feast’ would not be very appropriate; whereas the eighth day on which the people returned home was, like the first day, kept as a Sabbath (Leviticus 23:39), and had special sacrifices (Numbers 29:36-38). Comp. 2Ma 10:6. In keeping with the solemnity of the day Christ solemnly takes up His position and cries aloud with deep emotion (see on John 7:28). The εἱστήκει and ἔκραξεν are very graphic: comp. John 1:35; John 18:5; John 18:16; John 18:18; John 19:25; John 20:11. He was standing, beholding the multitude engaged in the ceremonies of the last day of the Feast, and moved by the sight He cried aloud.

ἐάν τις διψᾷ. The words recall Isaiah 55:1 and Revelation 22:17, ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω. See on John 7:30. The conjectured reference to the custom of pouring water at the Feast of Tabernacles is probably correct. On all seven days water was brought from the pool of Siloam and poured into a silver basin on the western side of the altar of burnt offering, a ceremony not mentioned in Q.T. Apparently this was not done on the eighth day. Accordingly Christ comes forward and fills the gap, directing them to a better water than that of Siloam. The fact that the water was poured and not drunk, does not seem to be a reason for denying the reference, especially when we remember how frequently Christ took an external fact as a text (comp. John 4:10; John 5:17; John 5:19; John 6:26-27, (John 8:12?) John 9:39; John 13:8; John 13:10; John 13:12-17; Mark 10:15-16; Mark 10:23-24, &c.). The pouring of the water would be suggestive enough, especially as it represented the water from the rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). In such cases there is no need for the analogy to be complete, and in the present case it would add point to the reference that it was not complete. Mere pouring of water could not quench even bodily thirst; Christ could satisfy spiritual thirst. ‘Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.’ Isaiah 12:3. Thus S. John, having shewn us Christ as typified by the Brazen Serpent (John 3:14) and the Manna (John 6:51), now shews Him as the Rock.