John 4:39-42

REAPING THE HARVEST

Text 4:39-42

39

And 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.

40

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

41

And many more believed because of his word;

42

and 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.

Queries

a.

How could the people believe because of the woman's testimony?

b.

What was the significance of their hearing for themselves?

c.

Why do they say Saviour of the world?

Paraphrase

And many of the Samaritan people from that city trusted and obeyed Jesus because of the personal witness of the woman who testified, He told me all things which I ever did. When the Samaritans came to Him they begged Him to stay with them. So Jesus remained there two days. And many trusted and obeyed because of His reasoning, and they told the woman, We no longer believe merely through your testimony, but we have heard Him for ourselves and know that this One is truly the Saviour of the world.

Summary

Many of the Samaritans are firmly persuaded that Jesus is the looked-for Saviour, because of both the woman's testimony and Jesus-' reasoning with them.

Comment

B. F. Westcott points out the great contrast between these Samaritans and the people of Jerusalem who believed on Him. The Samaritans had, so far as we know, only the testimony of the woman and Christ's reasoning with them for the ground of their faith. On the other hand, the Jerusalem believers had many miracles and signs (John 2:23) upon which to ground their belief. The woman told the townspeople of Jesus-' prophetic insight, but they had to trust her testimony, for they had not witnessed the conversation.

Why would they trust her? When one considers her probable reputation, it seems little short of amazing that they would believe her. Doubtless her enthusiasm played a major part in gaining their ears. Furthermore, she would be unlikely to admit that Jesus had prophetically revealed her immoral past, were it not true! But they did not rest their trust in Him solely upon her story, but investigated for themselves. They were like noble Bereans (cf. Acts 17:11).

John 4:40 presents another contrast. Contrast the hospitality of the Samaritans now and the uncharitable attitude of some Samaritans later in the ministry of Jesus (cf. Luke 9:51-56). Of course, Jesus made disciples only in this one city, and the return trip spoken of in the ninth chapter of Luke may have taken Him through other cities.

One note of interest here is John's taking almost the entire fourth chapter to record only two days-' happenings while the timeless events of eternity are grappled with in eighteen short verses of Chapter One!

Some see in the Lord's evangelistic efforts here a contradiction of His later commission to the apostles to not enter into a city of the Samaritans; but go rather unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6). But the commission of Matthew 10:1-42 was: (a) subsequent to the Samaritan event; (b) temporary in nature; (c) cancelled by even later commissions in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. It is also well to remember that Jesus stopped in only one village of the Samaritans, and then only after their continued insistence!

In John 4:41, the Samaritans state definitely the cause for their belief the word of Jesus. The Greek word which has been translated word is logos, which may also be translated as discourse of instruction, or expression of reasoning. (See our comments on John 1:1-18). In two days-' time He had ample opportunity to present His claims and show His fulfillment of the Pentateuch. This incident is illustrative of the principle stated by Paul. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Lenski makes a good point in John 4:42 by contrasting two kinds of faith: (a) the fledgling's faith based on the testimony of others, and (b) the satisfying faith based on personal investigation and experience. The former is the faith of many children who have been taught by parents and Sunday School teachers; the latter is the type of faith into which the former should grow faith which is firmly grounded in one's own personal investigation and contact with Christ and His Word.

Those critics who wish to deny the historicity of the Fourth Gospel claim the Samaritans did not say we know that this is the Saviour of the world, but that John puts these words into their mouths on his own accord. This is absurd! Jesus told the woman (John 4:26) that He was the Messiah. Would not two days be sufficient for Jesus to tell this city of His universal Redeemer-ship? This universality is really the lesson He proceeds to teach the woman in John 4:20 through John 4:26! As is usually the case, the destructive critics have failed to read and understand the context!

Quiz

1.

How do these Samaritans compare with the believers of Jerusalem (John 2:23)?

2.

Give two reasons to show that Jesus does not contradict His commission of Matthew 10:5-6 by entering a Samaritan city.

3.

Would it be possible for the Samaritans to understand Jesus to be a universal Saviour? Explain.