The priest had that morning performed the ceremony which commemorated the smiting of the rock in the wilderness. That rock was a symbol of Him who by His death would cause living streams of salvation to flow to all who are athirst. Christ's words were the water of life. There in the presence of the assembled multitude He set Himself apart to be smitten, that the water of life might flow to the world. In smiting Christ, Satan thought to destroy the Prince of life; but from the smitten rock there flowed living water. As Jesus thus spoke to the people, their hearts thrilled with a strange awe, and many were ready to exclaim, with the woman of Samaria, "Give me this water, that I thirst not." John 4:15.

Præsten havde samme morgen udført den ceremoni, der skulle minde om, hvordan der i ørkenen var blevet slået på klippen. Denne klippe var et symbol på ham, som ved sin død ville få frelsens levende vand til at strømme ud til alle dem, der tørstede. Kristi ord var livets vand. Her, i overværelse af de forsamlede skarer, udleverede han sig selv til at blive slået, for at livets vand kunne komme til at strømme ud til verden. Satan mente, at han ved at slå Kristus kunne tilintetgøre livets Konge, men ud fra denne klippe strømmede der levende vand. Da Jesus talte således til folket, bævede deres hjerter af en forunderlig ærefrygt,og mange af dem var rede til ligesom kvinden fra Samaria at udbryde: "Giv mig det vand, så jeg ikke mere skal tørste " Joh. 4,15.