Final answer:
The Samaritan woman in John 4:7 asks Jesus for the 'living water' He speaks of because she desires to have a continual supply of water and not have to return to the well again, not yet realizing He is referring to spiritual satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
In John 4:7, the Samaritan woman says 'give me this water' after Jesus speaks to her about living water that would quench her thirst forever.
Initially, Jesus asks the woman for a drink, engaging with her despite the social norms that typically prevented Jews from interacting with Samaritans.
As their conversation unfolds, Jesus offers her "living water" that would ensure she would never be thirsty again, referring to the spiritual fulfillment and eternal life that come from faith in Him.
The woman, still understanding the conversation in a literal sense, asks for this water so that she would not have to keep coming to the well to draw water, not yet grasping the spiritual significance of Jesus' words.