Abide in Him: John 4
Welcome back to our study of the Gospel of John! In this lesson, we will look at Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well. We’ll also read about Jesus’ first healing (at least the first one mentioned in John). Let’s get started!
The Text
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
John 4 begins with Jesus and His disciples journeying back to Galilee, partly to avoid the Pharisees. The religious men were after Jesus because many people were being baptized and becoming disciples of Jesus. They didn’t like this. So, Jesus, hearing they were coming after Him, left for Galilee to continue His work. Rather than taking the usual route, He decided to travel through Samaria. Considering the Jewish people and Samaritans despised each other, this move probably raised a few eyebrows. If you look at verse 4, it reads, “And He had to pass through Samaria,” (emphasis mine). Jesus knew both groups hated each other, but it was important for Him to go to Samaria to reach the people there.
The group finally arrives to Sychar, near the field that Joseph gave to Jacob in the Old Testament (see Genesis 48:22). It was around Noontime, so the disciples decided to look for food while Jesus rested at the well. A Samaritan woman arrives and Jesus asks her for a cup of water. This conversation is peculiar for two reasons: first, a man was talking with a woman. Secondly, it was a Jewish man talking with a Samaritan woman.
Before moving on, let’s explore why the Samaritans and Jewish people despised each other. About 900 years before Jesus, Israel divided into the Southern and Northern kingdoms. The Southern Kingdom worshiped in Jerusalem, while the Northern Kingdom worshiped at Mt. Gerizim. In 722 BC. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel was captured by Assyria. Many of the Jewish people either fled or were deported, but some remained. The Assyrians brought their culture and religious beliefs with them when they conquered Samaria, and they intermarried with the Jewish people who had remained.1
Each group believed they were the true descendants of Abraham, while the other group somehow was not. The Samaritans only accepted the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) as their Torah. The Jewish people not only accepted the Pentateuch, but also the Prophets (books like Joshua, Samuel, Kings, the major prophets and the 12 minor prophets), and the Writings (including Ruth, Psalms, Proverbs, and so on).2,3 Each group believed and insisted they were worshiping at the proper location. This served as a major dividing point for the two groups. There are many more reasons why the two groups didn’t get along, but for the sake of time, we’ll just go with “they despised each other.”
So, back to the story. As the woman begins to draw water from the well, Jesus asks her for a drink. She asks Him how He could ask her for a drink considering their heritage. He replies by saying if she knew who she was talking to, then she would ask Him for water and He would give her “living water.” At this point, I think she gets a little sarcastic, or sassy with Him. According to the Jewish New Testament Commentary, the way she asks the question in verse 12 (“Are you better than our father, Jacob?”) is in a way that would expect or require “no” as an answer.4 Jesus continues talking and explaining to her that those who drink the living water will never thirst again.
So, what does Jesus mean by the phrase “living water”? Basically, He will always provide for us what we need. He will satisfy us. For example, His death and resurrection provided the forgiveness and redemption we needed in order to have a relationship with God and to have eternal life. The spring of water is the Holy Spirit, which He discusses a bit more in a later chapter (which means we will cover it then as well).
The woman is now interested in what Jesus has to say, though she still doesn’t fully understand what He’s talking about as she asks Him for the water so she doesn’t have to go to the well to draw from it again. At this point, Jesus tells her to bring her husband to the well. She goes on to say that she has no husband, which Jesus knew. This is another example of what was said about Jesus knowing all people in chapter 2. Jesus confirms what she said is true and goes on to explain how she has had 5 husbands and is currently living with another man that’s not her husband.
Rather than respond or react to His comment, she deflects and changes the subject. She acknowledges that He may be a prophet, but then brings up the major dispute between the Samaritans and the Jewish people: the proper place of worship.
Jesus doesn’t ignore her comment. He explains to her that soon she won’t have to go to a location to worship God. He then explains how her religion has missed the mark. Since the Samaritan religion was a mix of Assyrian beliefs and Judaism, she didn’t know the true God or His plan. He tells her that salvation will come from the Jewish people. Of course, Jesus was referring to Himself and His Jewish lineage. He continues to explain that one day people will worship the Father in “Spirit and Truth, ” meaning through the Holy Spirit we will worship God. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) – the only true way to God, the Father. Did you notice how Jesus said “true worshipers”? He didn’t say “Samaritans” or “Jewish people.” He said “true worshipers.” He also says the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. Again, no specific group. This shows that the invitation to accept Jesus and to worship God rightly is open to all people. In order to truly worship God, we must worship in Spirit (Holy Spirit) and Truth (through Jesus Christ).
Still not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, the woman replies that once the Messiah comes, then He will clear everything up and tell them “all things.” As a Samaritan, she more than likely believed that the Messiah would come from their line, not the line of David. Jesus replies by saying He is the Messiah.
The disciples return at this point. They were surprised to see Jesus talking to a woman, but no one dared to question Him about it. The woman leaves the well (and her jar) to tell the village all that happened. It’s interesting how she uses the phrase, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.” It’s similar to what she said previously in verse 25 and how the Messiah would tell them “all things.” She still questioned if Jesus could possibly be the Messiah, though she was obviously starting to see the truth. The people were obviously curious, so they went to the well to see what she was talking about.
Meanwhile, back at the well, the disciples encourage Jesus to eat something. He replies with “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Confused, the disciples ask who brought Him food. Of course, Jesus wasn’t referring to physical food, but rather spiritual food – doing the will of God.
Jesus then explains to the disciples that the time for them to work is now. At this point, Jesus may have been pointing to the Samaritans coming towards the well. With regard to the ones who have “labored,” He could be referring to John the Baptist or the prophets.5 The point was, now is the time to work and witness to others the good news of Jesus.
The Samaritans arrive at the well to see Jesus. Many of them believed because of what the woman said. Wanting to know more, they ask Jesus to stay. He did for two days. Many more believed because of what He said. They believed Jesus to be the Messiah.
After a couple of days, Jesus and His disciples continue their trip to Galilee. The Galileans were happy to see Him because of what they witnessed at the Passover Feast in Jerusalem (see John 2:13-25).
As they continue to travel throughout Galilee, an official approaches Jesus to beg Him to heal his son. This man traveled around 25 miles to seek Him out. Jesus challenges the man’s belief to see if he truly believed in Jesus or just in the miracles. The official didn’t argue. He only begs Him again to heal his son. Jesus tells the man his son is healed and to go home. The man believes Jesus and leaves. As he journeys home, he is met by his servants who share the good news of his son’s healing. He asks what time the boy started improving and recognizes that it was at the exact time Jesus spoke His words. As a result, the official and his whole household believed.
Final Thoughts
Let’s look at a couple of comments Jesus made. In verse 10, Jesus said He was the Living Water, meaning He will meet all of our needs. Then, in verse 34, He told the disciples His food is to do the will of the Father. How does this apply to us? To begin with, when we trust in Jesus, He is our Living Water, fulfilling our needs (our need for salvation, for example). He also provides “rivers of living water” through the Holy Spirit. Finally, our spiritual food – the food that nourishes our spirit and soul – is work. It’s to do the will of God, to fulfill our purpose in Him. This is a good reminder that all of our needs will be met and we will receive satisfaction in Him alone.
With regard to the official and his son, I want to point out something I’ve noticed with similar healing stories in the Gospels. When this man approached Jesus, he humbled himself. In verse 47, it says he “asked” Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus challenged him because so many people were wanting the miracles without the belief. The man didn’t argue, he only asked Jesus to heal his son, which in itself was a sign of faith. He didn’t shy away, but asked in boldness. He also didn’t command Jesus. He was an official and could have used his authority to make Jesus come to his home, but he didn’t. He also didn’t doubt Jesus when He said his son would be healed. The man didn’t say “No, no, you must come to my home in order to heal my son,” rather, he simply believed Jesus and obeyed Him by going home. So, to recap, he believed in Jesus, he humbled himself, he was bold to ask for healing, and he didn’t doubt. I’ve seen this same pattern in several stories of healing throughout the four Gospels. Let this be a lesson to us to take Him at His word. Let’s not question or doubt, but rather believe and obey.
Next time, we will look at John 5 where we will witness Jesus healing a paralyzed man and read about the deity of Christ.
1. The Jewish New Testament Commentary by David H. Stern (Jewish New Testament Publications, 1992), 167
2. Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
3. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Hebrew Bible”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hebrew-Bible. Accessed 1 September 2022.
4. Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
5. ibid
