John 4:23

καὶ νῦν ἐστίν. These words could not be added in John 4:21. The local worship on Zion and Gerizim must continue for a while. But already a few are rising above these externals to the spirit of true worship, in which the differences between Jew and Samaritan disappear. In the heavenly Jerusalem there is ‘no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty is the temple of it, and the Lamb’ (Revelation 21:22). Perhaps Jesus sees His disciples returning, and the sight of them prompts the joyous καὶ νῦν ἐστι.

οἱ�. True as opposed to unreal and spurious (see on John 1:9), not to insincere and lying worshippers. Jewish types and shadows no less than Samaritan and Gentile imitations and delusions must pass away. Worship to be perfect and real must be offered in spirit and truth.

ἐν πνεύματι. This is opposed to what is material, carnal, and of the earth, earthy; ‘this mountain,’ the Temple, limitations of time, and space and nation. Not that such limitations are wrong; but they are not of the essence of religion and become wrong when they are mistaken for it. In the ‘holy ground’ of his own heart every one, whatever his race, may at all times worship the Father.

καὶ�. Just as ἐν πνεύματι confirms the declaration against local claims in John 4:21, so ἐν� confirms the condemnation of an ignorant worship, that sins against light, in John 4:22. True worship must be in harmony with the Nature and Will of God. In the sphere of intellect, this means recognition of His Presence and Omniscience; in the sphere of action, conformity with His absolute Holiness. ‘Worship in spirit and truth,’ therefore, implies prostration of the inmost soul before the Divine Perfection, submission of every thought and feeling to the Divine Will. The two words express two aspects of one truth; hence ἐν is not repeated: Winer, p. 522.

καὶ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ τ. For such the Father also seeketh for His worshippers. ‘Such’ is emphatic; ‘this is the character which He also desires in His worshippers.’ The ‘also’ must not be lost. That worship should be ‘in spirit and truth’ is required by the fitness of things: moreover God Himself desires to have it so, and works for this end. Intus exhibe te templum Deo. In templo vis orare, in te ora (S. Augustine). Note how three times in succession Christ speaks of God as the Father (John 4:21; John 4:23): perhaps it was a new aspect of Him to the woman.