THE LORD KNEW - When Jesus knew. how he knew this we are not informed; whether by that power of omniscience by which he knew all things, or whether some person had informed him of it. HOW THE PHARISEES HAD HEARD - The Pharisees, here, seem to denote either the members of the Sanhedrin or those who... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH JESUS HIMSELF BAPTIZED NOT - The reason why Jesus did not baptize was probably because, if He had baptized, it might have made unhappy divisions among his followers: those might have considered themselves most worthy or honored who had been baptized by Him. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LEFT JUDEA - The envy and malice of the Pharisees he might have known were growing so rapidly as to endanger his life. As his time to die had not yet come, he retired to Galilee, a country farther from Jerusalem, and much less under their control than Judea. See Mark 2:22; Luke 3:1. Though he fea... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE MUST NEEDS GO THROUGH SAMARIA - Samaria was between Judea and Galilee. The direct and usual way was to pass through Samaria. Sometimes, however, the Jews took a circuitous route on the east side of the Jordan. See the notes at Matthew 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
SYCHAR - This city stood about eight miles southeast of the city called Samaria, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It was one of the oldest cities of Palestine, and was formerly known by the name of “Shechem,” or Sichem, Genesis 33:18; Genesis 12:6. The city was in the tribe of Ephraim, Joshua 2... [ Continue Reading ]
JACOB’S WELL - This is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was called “Jacob’s well,” probably, either because it was handed down by tradition that he dug it, or because it was near to the land which he gave to Joseph. There is still a well a few miles to the east of Nablus, which is said by the... [ Continue Reading ]
OF SAMARIA - Not of the “city” of Samaria, for this was at a distance of 8 miles, but a woman who was a Samaritan, and doubtless from the city of Sychar. GIVE ME TO DRINK - This was in the heat of the day, and when Jesus was weary with his journey. The request was also made that it might give him o... [ Continue Reading ]
BUY MEAT - Buy food.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS - For an account of the Samaritans, and of the differences between them and the Jews, see the notes at Matthew 10:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GIFT OF GOD - The word “gift,” here denotes “favor.” It may refer to Jesus Himself, as the gift of God to the world, given to save men from death Joh 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15, or it may refer to the opportunity then afforded her of seeking salvation. If thou knewest how favorable an opportunity... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST NOTHING TO DRAW WITH - It seems that there were no means of drawing water affixed to the well, as with us. Probably each one took a pail or pitcher and a cord for the purpose. In traveling this was indispensable. The woman, seeing that Jesus had no means of drawing water, and not yet understand... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU GREATER? - Art thou wiser, or better able to find water, than Jacob was? It seems that she supposed that he meant that he could direct her to some living spring, or to some better well in that region, and that this implied more knowledge or skill than Jacob had. To find water and to furnish... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL THIRST AGAIN - Jesus did not directly answer her question, or say that he was greater than Jacob, but he gave her an answer by which she might infer that he was. He did not despise or undervalue Jacob or his gifts; but, however great might be the value of that well, the water could not altoget... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM - Jesus here refers, without doubt, to his own teaching, his “grace,” his “spirit,” and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces his gospel. It is a striking image, and especially in Eastern countries, where there are vast deserts, and often a great want... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN SAID ... - It may seem strange that the woman did not yet understand him, but it shows how slow sinners are to understand the doctrines of religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
GO CALL THY HUSBAND - We may admire the manner which our Saviour took to lead her to perceive that he was the Christ. His instructions she did not understand. He therefore proceeded to show her that he was acquainted with her life and with her sins. His object, here, was to lead her to consider her... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO HUSBAND - This was said, evidently, to evade the subject. Perhaps she feared that if she came there with the man that she lived with, the truth might be exposed. It is not improbable that by this time she began to suspect that Jesus was a prophet. HAST WELL SAID - Hast said the truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST HAD FIVE HUSBANDS - Who have either died; or who, on account of your improper conduct, have divorced you; or whom you have left improperly, without legal divorce. Either of these might have be. en the case. IS NOT THY HUSBAND - You are not lawfully married to him. Either she might have left a... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROPHET - One sent from God, and who understood her life. The word here does not denote one who foretells future events, but one who knew her heart and life, and who must therefore have come from God. She did not yet suppose him to be the Messiah, John 4:25. Believing him now to be a man sent from... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FATHERS - The Samaritans; perhaps also meaning to intimate that the patriarchs had done it also. See Genesis 12:6; Genesis 33:20. WORSHIPPED - Had a place of worship. IN THIS MOUNTAIN - Mount Gerizim, only a little way from Sychar. On this mountain they had built a temple somewhat similar to th... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE ME - As she had professed to believe that he was a prophet, it was right to require her to put faith in what he was about to utter. It also shows the importance of what he was about to say. THE HOUR COMETH - The time is coming, or is near. WHEN NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN ... - Hitherto the pu... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT - This probably refers to the comparative ignorance and corruption of the Samaritan worship. Though they received the five books of Moses, yet they rejected the prophets, and of course all that the prophets had said respecting the true God. Originally, also, they had join... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE HOUR COMETH, AND NOW IS - The old dispensation is about to pass away, and the new one to commence. “Already” there is so much light that God may be worshipped acceptably in any place. THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS - All who truly and sincerely worship God. They who do it with the heart, and not mere... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS A SPIRIT - This is the second reason why men should worship him in spirit and in truth. By this is meant that God is without a body; that he is not material or composed of parts; that he is invisible, in every place, pure and holy. This is one of the first truths of religion, and one of the s... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THAT MESSIAS COMETH - As the Samaritans acknowledged the five books of Moses, so they expected, also, the coming of the Messiah. WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST - These are probably the words of the evangelist, as it is not likely that the woman would explain the name on such an occasion. WILL TELL... [ Continue Reading ]
I THAT SPEAK ONTO THEE AM - he I am the Messiah. This was the first time that he openly professed it. He did not do it yet to the Jews, for it would have excited envy and opposition. But nothing could be apprehended in Samaria; and as the woman seemed reluctant to listen to him as a prophet, and pro... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THIS - At this time. MARVELLED - Wondered. They wondered because the Jews had no contact with the Samaritans, and they were surprised that Jesus was engaged with her in conversation. YET NO MAN SAID - No one of the disciples. They had such respect and reverence for him that they did not dare... [ Continue Reading ]
LEFT HER WATER-POT - Her mind was greatly excited. She was disturbed, and hastened to the city in great agitation to make this known. She seems to have been convinced that he was the Messiah, and went immediately to make it known to others. Our first business, when we have found the Saviour, should... [ Continue Reading ]
IS NOT THIS THE CHRIST? - Though she probably believed it, yet she proposed it modestly, lest she should appear to dictate in a case which was so important, and which demanded so much attention. The evidence on which she was satisfied that he was the Messiah was that he had told her all things that... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WENT OUT OF THE CITY - The men of the city left it and went to Jesus, to hear and examine for themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAYED HIM - Asked him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MEAT TO EAT - See John 4:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH ANY MAN BROUGHT HIM ... - This is one of the many instances in which the disciples were slow to understand the Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY MEAT ... - Jesus here explains what he said in John 4:32. His great object - the great design of his life - was to do the will of God. He came to that place weary and thirsty, and at the usual time of meals, probably hungry; yet an opportunity of doing good presented itself, and he forgot his fat... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY NOT YE - This seems to have been a proverb. Ye say - that is, men say. FOUR MONTHS AND ... - The common time from sowing the seed to the harvest, in Judea, was about “four months.” The meaning of this passage may be thus expressed: “The husbandman, when he sows his seed, is compelled to wait a... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT REAPETH - He that gathers the harvest, or he who so preaches that souls are converted to Christ. RECEIVETH WAGES - The laborer in the harvest receives his hire. Jesus says it shall be thus with those who labor in the ministry - he will not suffer them to go unrewarded. See Daniel 12:3; Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SAYING - That proverb. This proverb is found in some of the Greek writers (Grotius). Similar proverbs were in use among the Jews. See Isaiah 65:21; Leviticus 26:16; Micah 6:15. ONE SOWETH ... - One man may preach the gospel, and with little apparent effect; another, succeeding him, may be crow... [ Continue Reading ]
I SENT YOU - In the commission given you to preach the gospel. You have not labored or toiled in preparing the way for the great harvest which is now to be gathered in. OTHER MEN LABOURED - * The prophets, who long labored to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. (2)The teachers among... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY OF THE SAMARITANS OF THAT CITY BELIEVED ON HIM, ... - There is seldom an instance of so remarkable success as this. From a single conversation, in circumstances, in a place, and with an individual little likely to be attended with such results, many sinners were converted; many believed on... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO GALILEE - Into some of the parts of Galilee, though evidently not into Nazareth, but probably direct to Cana, John 4:46.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JESUS HIMSELF TESTIFIED ... - See the notes at Matthew 13:57. The connection of this verse with the preceding may be thus explained: “Jesus went to Galilee, but not to Nazareth, for he testified,” etc. Or, “Jesus went to Galilee, ‘although’ he had said that a prophet had no honor in his own coun... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVED HIM - Received him kindly, or as a messenger of God. They had seen his miracles, and believed on him.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN - One who was of the royal family, connected by birth with Herod Antipas; or one of the officers of the court, whether by birth allied to him or not. It seems that his ordinary residence was at Capernaum. Capernaum was about a day’s journey from Cana, where Jesus then was.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT UNTO HIM - Though high in office, yet he did not refuse to go personally to Jesus to ask his aid. He felt as a father; and believing, after all that Jesus had done, that he could cure his son, he traveled to meet him. If men receive benefits of Christ, they must come in the same manner. The... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT YE SEE SIGNS ... - This was spoken not to the nobleman only, but to the Galileans generally. The Samaritans had believed without any miracle. The Galileans, he said, were less disposed to believe him than even they were; and though he had performed miracles enough to convince them, yet, unles... [ Continue Reading ]
COME DOWN ... - The earnestness of the nobleman evinces the deep and tender anxiety of a father. So anxious was he for his son that he was not willing that Jesus should delay a moment - not even to address the people. He still seems to have supposed that Jesus had no power to heal his son except he... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THY WAY - This was a kind and tender address. It was designed to convince him that he could word a miracle though not personally present. THY SON LIVETH - Thy son shall recover; or he shall be restored to health, according to thy request. THE MAN BELIEVED - The manner in which Jesus spoke it, an... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEVENTH HOUR - About one o’clock in the afternoon. THE SAME HOUR - The very time when Jesus spoke. THE FEVER LEFT HIM - It seems that it left him suddenly and entirely; so much so that his friends went to inform the father, and to comfort him, and also, doubtless, to apprise him that it was no... [ Continue Reading ]
HIMSELF BELIEVED - This miracle removed all his doubts, and he became a real disciple and friend of Jesus. HIS WHOLE HOUSE - His whole family. We may learn from this, 1. That sickness or any deep affliction is often the means of great good. Here the sickness of the son resulted in the faith of all... [ Continue Reading ]