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John 4

1When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples),

1When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Commentary · verses 1-2

Jesus did not baptize people, His disciples did. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit, not water.

3he left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee.

3He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.

Commentary · verse 3

Jesus went back to Galilee when the Pharisees realized Jesus was becoming more popular than John the Baptist. In the other Gospel Accounts, Herod had John the Baptist imprisoned within days of Jesus leaving for Galilee. This was going to be the first time Jesus was in His hometown since He began His public ministry. Also, the five or six disciples that were following Him were from Galilee.

4And he must needs pass through Samaria.

4And he must needs go through Samaria.

Commentary · verse 4

Samaria was between Jerusalem and Galilee, so Jesus had to pass through Samaria.

5So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: 6and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Commentary · verses 5-7

Jesus told the Samaritan woman to give Him a drink.

8For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.

9The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Commentary · verses 8-9

She wanted to know why Jesus was dealing with her since Jews did not associate with the Samaritans because they considered Samaritans to be the enemy and looked down on them. Also, Rabbis did not interact with women in public. Notice, John put his own comment here stating that the Jews did not interact with the Samaritans, something he often did to give context to a situation.

10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Commentary · verse 10

Jesus began the conversation with this woman on a physical level: water. Then Jesus transitioned to a spiritual topic by telling her that she could have asked Jesus for "living water." "Living water" is "the gift of God"...grace: the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.

11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?

12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?

13Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.

11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Commentary · verses 11-14

The "living water" Jesus spoke of is grace/Holy Spirit. This water is in believers and it springs up into eternal life. Salvation is by grace through faith: Ephesians 2:8.

Doctrines on this passage

15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw.

15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Commentary · verse 15

This woman essentially asked to be saved. Would Jesus respond by converting her?

16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

17The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband: 18for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly.

19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

17The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Commentary · verses 16-19

Jesus did not convert her. He responded by broaching a subject that could have humiliated the woman and driven her away! The woman perceived Jesus to be a prophet because He told her things He should not have known. Notice, this woman was in adultery. She was with a man who was not her husband.

20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Commentary · verse 20

The woman challenged Jesus with a theological question: our ancestors said we ought to worship God in this mountain, but today's religious leaders say we ought to worship God in Jerusalem. If you are a prophet, what is the correct answer?

21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.

22Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.

21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Commentary · verses 21-22

Jesus said the physical location of the worship was not important because it could be anywhere. The key to worshipping God was to know who God was and to worship Him in spirit, which means you could worship Him in this mountain, in Jerusalem, in a foreign country, etc.

23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.

23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Commentary · verse 23

Doctrine: True worshippers worship God the Father in Spirit and in truth. They worship God with a right HOW/WHY. They know who God is and they focus on the spiritual.

24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Commentary · verse 24

Doctrine: God is a Spirit. God is intangible. God is principles (foundational truths). God is Holy: Right and Just.

Doctrines on this passage

25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things.

26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Commentary · verses 25-26

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah by only answering yes to her statement. He did not directly state "I am the Messiah." Notice, Jesus' answer meant nothing without her statement. All Jesus directly stated was: "I that speak unto thee am he."

27And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?

27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

Commentary · verse 27

The disciples marvelled that Jesus was speaking directly to a woman (Rabbis did not speak to women in public), who was also a Samaritan, and also in adultery.

28So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people, 29Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?

30They went out of the city, and were coming to him.

28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

Commentary · verses 28-30

Notice, Jesus did not convert this woman and it resulted in her bringing more people to Jesus!

31In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat.

32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.

33The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?

34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

31In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

33Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Commentary · verses 31-34

Doctrine: Doing God's Will was what gave Jesus energy. Jesus' "meat" was to do the Will of the Father and to finish the Father's work. Notice, Jesus spoke about spiritual water to the woman and she asked Jesus more questions. Jesus spoke about spiritual meat to His disciples and they did not ask Jesus any questions, they asked each other. The spiritual water was Salvation. The spiritual meat was the Will of God.

35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.

35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Commentary · verse 35

Remember, Jesus left Jerusalem after Passover, which is in the spring when planting was done. Jesus used another physical example to convey a spiritual truth. Jesus asked the disciples if they were familiar with the concept that there were four months between the current sowing and the future reaping. Then Jesus told the disciples to look up at the people coming from the town towards them to be "reaped." Jesus had sown the seed in the woman and rather than harvest her to conversion, He allowed time for her to produce more and with all the people following her back to Jesus, Jesus was making the disciples aware it was time to convert the people. Remember, this chapter began with Jesus' disciples performing water baptisms, cleansing new converts. Jesus had already trained His disciples how to convert people, so they ought to be able to handle this opportunity.

36He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Commentary · verse 36

Doctrine: Both the one who sows and the one who reaps receive Reward for converting people. In fact, the sower ought to rejoice because of the reaper because it is only then that the sower receives a Reward.

37For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.

37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Commentary · verses 37-38

Jesus pointed out the disciples would now reap from what Jesus had sown.

39And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did.

39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

Commentary · verse 39

Many of the Samaritans believed on Jesus because of the woman's testimony, because of her words. Just like Jesus explained: the woman sowed and the disciples reaped.

40So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.

40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

Commentary · verse 40

Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for two days. Notice, Jesus did not impose His will on these people, they asked Him to stay.

41And many more believed because of his word; 42and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

41And many more believed because of his own word;

42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Commentary · verses 41-42

After Jesus stayed, the Samaritans believed because of Jesus' own words.

43And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee.

44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.

45So when he came into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Commentary · verses 46-54

Verses 46-54: Jesus' healing of the nobleman's son.

46He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.

48Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.

49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way.

46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Commentary · verse 50

The nobleman acted in faith by leaving when Jesus told him to.

51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived.

52So he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

53So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

54This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judæa into Galilee.

51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

52Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

53So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

54This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.

Commentary · verse 54

Jesus only said the word and the nobleman's son was healed. The father checked on when the son was healed and it was around the time Jesus spoke healing. This caused the father to believe in Jesus along with his whole house. John stated this was the second sign Jesus did in Galilee, with the first being turning water into wine. All of the accounts of healings and miracles from the other Gospel Accounts had to have occurred after this time.

Chronologically, the account from Luke 4 occurred at this point. Luke 4:23 stated Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth (His hometown) when He referenced that the people would ask Him to do the miracles like the one they heard was done in Capernaum. The miracle Jesus referenced was the one we just read that involved the nobleman's son. John's narrative jumped ahead almost a year, to the Passover that began Jesus' second year of public ministry. Also, in the other Gospel Accounts, Jesus called twelve of the disciples to be His Disciples, even though many people chose to continue to follow Jesus as disciples. From this point on, we will refer to the twelve as Disciples and all other followers as disciples.

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