Jesus, who typically appears in contexts of authority and judgment throughout John's Gospel, here uniquely offers "living water" and eternal life to society's most marginalized—a Samaritan woman with multiple marriages.
John 4
The Samaritan Woman at the Well
1Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
2(although Jesus himself didn’t baptize, but his disciples),
3he left Judea and departed into Galilee.
4He needed to pass through Samaria.
5So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”
8For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water?
12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?”
13Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again,
14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”
16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17The woman answered, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You said well, ‘I have no husband,’
18for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”
19The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
23But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers.
24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ. When he has come, he will declare to us all things.”
26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.”
27Just then, his disciples came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”
28So the woman left her water pot, went away into the city, and said to the people,
29“Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done. Can this be the Christ?”
30They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
31In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
33The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
35Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.
36He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’
38I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
39From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I have done.”
40So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days.
41Many more believed because of his word.
42They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
The Healing of the Official's Son
43After the two days he went out from there and went into Galilee.
44For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
45So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast.
46Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
48Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.”
49The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
51As he was going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!”
52So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.”
53So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house.
54This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.
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Theme
Jesus travels through Samaria where he encounters a woman at Jacob's well, revealing himself as the source of 'living water' that leads to eternal life and teaching about true worship in spirit and truth. After the woman becomes a witness to her community, Jesus heals a royal official's son from a distance, demonstrating his power over physical ailments. These encounters illustrate Jesus's mission extending beyond Jewish boundaries and his authority over both spiritual and physical needs.
Context
Following Jesus's nighttime conversation with Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth, this chapter expands his ministry beyond Jewish religious leaders to include marginalized Samaritans and Gentile officials.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6 Journey to Samaria Jesus leaves Judea to avoid Pharisee attention and travels through Samaria, stopping at Jacob's well.
- 7-15 The Request for Living Water Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for water and offers her living water that leads to eternal life.
- 16-26 Revelation and True Worship Jesus reveals knowledge of the woman's past and teaches about worship in spirit and truth, identifying himself as Messiah.
- 27-38 The Woman's Witness and Spiritual Harvest The woman becomes an evangelist to her town while Jesus teaches his disciples about spiritual harvest.
- 39-42 Samaritan Belief Many Samaritans believe in Jesus through the woman's testimony and their own encounter with him.
- 43-54 Healing the Official's Son Jesus heals a royal official's son from a distance, demonstrating faith and miraculous power.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well
4:1–4:42 gospel dialogue contemplative
Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well and reveals himself as the source of living water that gives eternal life. Their conversation breaks social barriers and leads to spiritual revelation about true worship.
person_contrast
Jesus, who typically appears in contexts of authority and judgment throughout John's Gospel, here uniquely offers "living water" and eternal life to society's most marginalized—a Samaritan woman with multiple marriages.
The Healing of the Official's Son
4:43–4:54 gospel narration hopeful
Jesus heals a nobleman's son from a distance in Cana, demonstrating his divine power over illness and space. The miracle leads the official and his entire household to believe in Jesus.
person_contrast
Jesus exercises the same divine authority typically reserved for judgment to instead grant healing at a distance, transforming skeptical Galilean reception into household-wide faith.
Insights
Jesus exercises the same divine authority typically reserved for judgment to instead grant healing at a distance, transforming skeptical Galilean reception into household-wide faith.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
John 4:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 7:29 Lexical
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s ba…
Mark 6:14 Lexical
King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and there…
Mark 2:18 Lexical
John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples…
Luke 5:33 Lexical
They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours…
Matthew 9:14 Lexical
Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
John 4:3 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 2:22 Lexical
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. B…
Matthew 26:44 Lexical
He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.
Mark 8:13 Lexical
He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.
John 4:5 1 reference
John 4:7 1 reference
John 4:8 2 references
John 4:9 1 reference
John 4:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 20:22 Lexical
But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be…
John 15:16 Lexical
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should r…
John 11:22 Lexical
Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”
John 16:23 Lexical
“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he…
John 1:33 Lexical
I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descendi…
John 4:12 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 1:32 Lexical
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Matthew 20:23 Lexical
He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on…
John 18:11 Lexical
Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely…
John 4:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 21:6 Lexical
He said to me, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from t…
John 10:28 Lexical
I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Revelation 14:7 Lexical
He said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who ma…
John 6:54 Lexical
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Mark 10:30 Lexical
but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, wit…
John 4:15 2 references
John 4:17 1 reference
John 4:20 1 reference
John 4:21 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 11:1 Lexical
When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples
Matthew 21:1 Lexical
When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
John 16:25 Lexical
“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figu…
John 4:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 13:11 Lexical
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us tha…
John 5:25 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hea…
John 8:40 Lexical
But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.
John 16:25 Lexical
“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figu…
John 12:27 Lexical
“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? But I came to this time for this cause.
John 4:25 1 reference
John 4:27 2 references
John 4:31 1 reference
John 4:35 1 reference
John 4:36 5 references
Lexicals 5
Galatians 6:8 Lexical
For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit…
Matthew 25:24 Lexical
“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did…
Matthew 6:26 Lexical
See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds t…
Matthew 25:26 Lexical
“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where…
Romans 6:22 Lexical
But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the resul…
John 4:39 1 reference
John 4:40 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 19:31 Lexical
Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (…
John 2:12 Lexical
After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few…
John 11:6 Lexical
When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was.
John 1:39 Lexical
He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about…
Acts 9:43 Lexical
He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
John 4:42 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 26:73 Lexical
After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes…
Acts 5:14 Lexical
More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Acts 8:12 Lexical
But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were bapti…
John 4:45 1 reference
John 4:46 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 2:1 Lexical
The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
John 2:11 Lexical
This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 21:2 Lexical
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his discipl…
John 4:47 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 2:22 Lexical
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. B…
Luke 5:17 Lexical
On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of e…
Matthew 17:22 Lexical
While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of me…
John 4:48 1 reference
John 4:53 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:43 Lexical
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have…
Matthew 24:50 Lexical
the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it and in an hour when he doesn’t know it,
Luke 12:46 Lexical
then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and wi…
Matthew 8:13 Lexical
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
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