John 4:7

ἐκ τ. Σαμ. Of the province, not of the city of Samaria. A woman of the city would not have come all that distance for water. The city was at that time called Sebaste, a name given to it by Herod the Great in honour of Augustus (Σεβαστός), who had granted the place to Herod on the death of Antony and Cleopatra (see on John 6:1). Herod’s name Sebaste survives in the modern Sebustieh. In legends this woman is called Photina. For ἀντλῆσαι, comp. John 2:8.

δός μοι πεῖν. Quite literal, as the next verse shews: He asked her for refreshment because His disciples were not there to give it. ‘Give Me the spiritual refreshment of thy conversion’ is a meaning read into the words, not found in them. This request and κεκοπιακὼς ἐκ τ. ὁδ. (John 4:6) shew how untenable is the view that the Fourth Evangelist held Docetic views: the reality of Christ’s human form is very plain here (see on John 19:35). The reality of His human sympathy appears also; for often the best way to win a person is to ask a favour.