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Vincent's Word Studies in the NT

John 4:1

Therefore. Pointing back to John 3:22, and the controversy which arose about the two baptisms.

The Lord. See on Matthew 21:3.

Knew [ε γ ν ω], or perceived. See on 2 24.

Pharisees. John never alludes to the Sadducees by name. The Pharisees represented the opposition to Jesus, the most powerful and dangerous of the Jewish sects.

Made and baptized. Both verbs are in the present tense. The narrator puts himself at the scene of the story : is making and baptizing.

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See also John 4:1 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    JOHN 4:1 VIhsou/j {C} As between VIhsou/j and ku,rioj the Committee preferred the former. Had ku,rioj been present in the original text, it is unlikely that a scribe would have displaced it with VIhs...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER IV. _Jesus, finding that the Pharisees took offence at his making_ _many disciples, leaves Judea to pass into Galilee_, 1-3. _And passing through Samaria comes to Sychar, and rests at_ _Ja...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 PHARISEE...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4 _ 1. He Must Needs Pass Through Samaria. (John 4:1 .)_ 2. At Sychar's Well; Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. (John 4:6 .) 3. The Woman's Witness and the Believing Samaritans. (John 4:27 .)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    IV. 1- 42. CHRIST IN SAMARIA. John 4:1. Christ and the Samaritan Woman. The Lord (for the title _cf. John 6:23_, John 11:2; John 20:20;...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    WHEN THEREFORE THE LORD KNEW HOW THE PHARISEES HAD HEARD THAT JESUS MADE AND BAPTIZED MORE DISCIPLES THAN JOHN. These verses explain why Christ left Judea and returned to Galilee. Evidently the contro...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS (John 4:1-9)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although it was not Jesus himself who was in the habit of baptizing but his disciple...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THEREFORE. See John 3:22. THE LORD. App-98. B.C. For the occurances of this absolute title in John, see John 6:23; John 11:2; John 20:20. and Compare...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _When therefore the Lord knew_ The -therefore" refers us back to John 3:26. Of the many who came to Christ some told the Pharisees of His doings, just as others told John. _the Pharisees_ See on John...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    John 2:13 TO JOHN 11:57. The Work We here enter on the second portion of the first main division of the Gospel, thus subdivided: The Work (1) among _Jews_, (2) among _Samaritans_, (3) among _Galilean...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΟΥ̓͂Ν. This refers back to John 3:22-26. Of the many who came to Jesus some told the Pharisees (see on John 1:24) of His success, as others told the Baptist, and this was reported to Him again: ὁ κύρι...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE WORK AMONG SAMARITANS The whole section is peculiar to S. John, and is evidently the narrative of an eyewitness: of the Synoptists S. Luke alone, the writer of ‘the Universal Gospel,’ mentions any...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3. He left Judea, and...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THIS CAN BE THE CHRIST BECAUSE HE OFFERS LIVING WATER -- JOHN 4:1-26:_ At Jacob's well Jesus met a sinful, Samaritan woman. Some of Jesus greatest teaching was done to just one student. He spoke to t...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ПО поводу этой перикопы _см._ Edeltraud Leidig, Jesus Gesprach mit der Samaritanerin und weitere Gesprache im Johannesevangelium (Basel: Friederich Reinhardt Kommissionsverlag, 1981); I.H.Marshall, "T...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHEN THEREFORE THE LORD KNEW, &C.— The Baptist's imprisonment happened while our Lord was in Judea (see Mark 6:17., &c.) where he continued till the fame of his doctrine, disciples, and miracles, reac...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    WITHDRAWL FROM JUDEAARRIVAL IN SAMARIA _Text 4:1-6_ 1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus hims...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN John 4:1-6 We begin with the usual Analysis of the passage that is to be before us. In it we see:— Like the first three Chapter s of John, this fourth also furnishes...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, WHEN THEREFORE (REFERRING BACK TO JOHN 3:22 , FROM WHICH THE NARRATIVE IS NOW RESUMED...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    25 Ceremonial cleansing is the true definition of baptism, Before this, baptisms were a common feature of the Jewish ceremonial system, but were usually connected with the temple and the laver and wer...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The Pharisees had been hostile to John's ministry; they were likely to be more so to the more successful ministry of Jesus. Our Lord, therefore, left Judæa, the chief centre of Pharisaism, to avoid a...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SAMARITAN WOMAN 1-42. Christ in Samaria. The ministry in Samaria is recorded because it is the author's design to exhibit Christ as the Saviour, not only of Israel, but of the world (John 4:42)....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    JOHN TELLS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS GOSPEL OF JOHN _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 4 JESUS TALKS TO A WOMAN IN *SAMARIA 4:1-26 V1 The *Pharisees heard that Jesus was *baptising more people than John the...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (1) WHEN THEREFORE THE LORD KNEW. — The second clause of this verse is given in the exact words of the report which came to the Pharisees: _When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard, “Jesu...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 9 THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. “When therefore the Lord knew how that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself baptized not, but H...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    John 4:1-4 account for His being in Samaria; 5 26 relate His conversation with a Samaritan woman; 27 38 His consequent conversation with His own disciples; 39 42 the impression He made upon the Samari...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The first verse gives the cause of His leaving Judaea, to wit, a threatened or possible collision with the Pharisees, who resented His baptising. Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω … ἢ Ἰωάννης. οὖν continues the narrative w...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    SATISFYING AN ETERNAL THIRST John 4:1-14 Our Lord had no wish to precipitate the conflict with the Pharisee party, until He had finished His ministry to the people. He was the last and greatest of th...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The words, "He must needs pass through Samaria" are arresting. The final explanation must be found in His dealing with the woman of Samaria. In itself, it is a radiant revelation of His method as He l...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    When (1) therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (1) This balance is to be kept in doing our duty, that neither by fear are we terri...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    CHAPTER 10 JESUS PREACHES TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN John 4:1-41. _“When our Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John (indeed, Jesus himself did not...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John_, 2, _though Jesus did not himself baptize, but his disciples_, 3, _he left Judea, an...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    I. JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN: JOHN 4:1-26. In this first phase we see how Jesus succeeds in awaking faith in a soul which was a stranger to all spiritual life. The historical situation is describ...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    SECOND SECTION: 4:1-42. JESUS IN SAMARIA. The first phase of the public ministry of Jesus is ended. Unbelief on the part of the masses, faith on the part of a few, public attention greatly aroused, su...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (2) (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), (3) He left Judea, and depar...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS Christ discourseth with a Woman of Samaria. He visits the Samaritans. Many believe on him. He healeth a Nobleman's Son....

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The opening verses (John 1:1-18) introduce the most glorious subject which God Himself ever gave in employing the pen of man; not only the most glorious in point of theme, but in the profoundest point...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._When, therefore, the Lord knew. _The Evangelist, intending now to give an account of the conversation which Christ had with _a Samaritan woman, _begins with explaining the cause of his journey. Kno...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    And now Jesus, being driven away by the jealousy of the Jews, begins His ministry outside that people, while still acknowledging their true position in the dealings of God. He goes away into Galilee;...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    WHEN THEREFORE OUR LORD KNEW,.... Or Jesus, as some copies, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read; who is Lord of all, Lord of lords, the one and only Lord of saints: and who...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Ver. 1. _Baptized more disciples_] Baptizing was used by the Jews before John or Christ...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _When the Lord knew_ Without receiving information from any one; _how the Pharisees_ Whose interest in the sanhedrim was very great; _had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John_ T...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    HOW THE PHARISEES HAD HEARD; he was aware that the knowledge of his growing popularity excited their envy and ill-will, which he wished for the present to avoid....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    CHRIST AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. On the way to Galilee:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    WHEN THEREFORE THE LORD KNEW HOW THE PHARISEES HAD HEARD THAT JESUS MADE AND BAPTIZED MORE DISCIPLES THAN JOHN,...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    A SAMARITAN WOMAN GIVEN THE WATER OF LIFE (vs.1-26) The Lord now leaves Judea because He knew the Pharisees' thoughts as to His baptizing more disciples than John. Not that the Lord Himself did the...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-3 Jesus applied himself more to preaching, which was the more excellent, 1 Corinthians 1:17, than to baptism. He would put honour upon his disciples, by employing them to baptize. He teaches us that...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    JOHN CHAPTER 4 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1 Christ talketh with a woman of Samaria, and revealeth himself unto her. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:27 His disciples marvel; the woman calleth the men of her city to see him....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit which separates Jesus Christ is no...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    John 4:1 Therefore G3767 when G5613 Lord G2962 knew G1097 (G5627) that G3754 Pharisees G5330 heard G191 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptising more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptise, but his disciples) he left Judea and de...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    The general object aimed at in the relation of the story of Nicodemus in chap. 3 is pursued in the account given us in this section of the interview of Jesus, first with the Samaritan woman, and then...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    John 4:1-3. WHEN THEREFORE THE LORD PERCEIVED THAT THE PHARISEES HAD HEARD, JESUS MAKETH AND BAPTIZETH MORE DISCIPLES THAN JOHN, (THOUGH JESUS HIMSELF BAPTIZED NOT, BUT HIS DISCIPLES,) HE LEFT JUDEA,...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WHEN THEREFORE (Hως ουν). Reference to John 3:22. the work of the Baptist and the jealousy of his disciples. Ουν is very common in John's Gospel in such transitions.THE LORD (ο Κυριος). So the bes...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and de...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    I have often read this chapter in your hearing, and you have often read it yourselves; but the Word of God is not like the grapes of an earthly vine, which when once trodden are exhausted. You may com...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), he left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), he left Judaea, and d...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The indwelling Spirit. The nobleman's son healed. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy Spirit, John the Baptist, Pharisees, Jacob, Joseph, woman of Samaria, her husband, n...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the pharisees,_ chiefly priests, and many of them principal members of the council, _had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John._ The p...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    MORE DISCIPLES THAN JOHN. The jealous friends of John (John 3:26) may have told the Pharisees about this. (ACTUALLY, JESUS HIMSELF DID NOT BAPTIZE ANYONE.) Had Jesus done so, those personally baptized...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _When therefore the Lord knew_ THE FIRST VISIT TO SAMARIA I. THE STORY ITSELF. 1. The memorable halt (John 4:1). 2. The surprising request (John 4:7). 3. The opened vista (John 4:10). 4.

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-54 CHAPTER 4 _When therefore Jesus knew_, &c.... _than John_, that is, than John _had_ made and baptized, says S. Augustine (lib. 2 _, de cons. Evang., c._ 18), for John was now in prison. For thes...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES_ John 4:1. These verses form an historical introductory note prefixed to and explaining our Lord’s ministry in Samaria. He left Judæa to avoid conflict with the Pharis...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION JOHN 4:1 7. _The ministry and revelation of the Lord to those beyond the strict compass of the theocracy. _This passage describes an incident of consummate interest, and records a specime...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now when the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized none, but his disciples,) (John 4:1) Now this can mean one of t...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 15:47; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Acts 10:36;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE WOMAN AT THE WELL John 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS As we enter this remarkable story, we wish to suggest three distinct things concerning our Lord. 1. THE LORD WEARY AND WORN. We read that "being we...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    The Lord knew — Though none informed him of it....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    The former part of this chapter accquaints us with our Saviour's removal from Judea into Galilee. The occasion of it was this: Christ hearing that John was cast into prison, and understanding how the...

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Old Testament