What does John 4:16 mean?

Explanation

John 4:16 captures a moment within a longer narrative known as the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well.

In this verse, Jesus engages directly with the woman, instructing her to "Go, call thy husband, and come hither." On the surface, this seems to be a simple request.

However, the conversation is laden with deeper meaning as it unfolds to reveal the woman's personal history and showcases Jesus's knowledge of her life and identity, which would not have been known to a stranger.

Historical Context

The exchange takes place in Samaria near the town of Sychar, at a well historically attributed to Jacob.

Jews and Samaritans, at that time, did not generally interact due to deep-seated historical and religious animosities.

Samaritans were considered heretics by mainstream Jews because they only recognized the first five books of the Bible and had their own temple at Mount Gerizim.

This enmity is what makes Jesus's interaction with the Samaritan woman culturally and socially significant.

Theological Insights

This verse serves as a prelude to a revelatory discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

From a theological standpoint, this moment is seen as being about exposing truth and inviting repentance.

Additionally, Jesus's omniscience is on display, setting the stage for his proclamation to be the "living water" and the long-awaited Messiah.

In Christian theology, the exchange with the woman at the well is often understood as an example of Jesus breaking down barriers, such as gender and ethnicity, to extend his message of salvation to all.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a lesson in confronting the truth about oneself.

It suggests the importance of self-examination and honesty in spiritual growth. The interaction between Jesus and the woman also teaches the necessity of overcoming prejudice and cultural barriers in order to connect with others on a meaningful level.

Cross-References

• John 4:17-18 (The continuation of Jesus's conversation with the woman, revealing his knowledge of her life)
• John 4:10 (Jesus speaks of living water, initiating the dialogue about spiritual truth)
• John 4:7-9 (Showing the initial breaking of social norms as Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman)

Language Study

The key phrase in Greek from John 4:16 is "Ὕπαγε, φώνησον τὸν ἄνδρα σου καὶ ἔλθε ἐνθάδε." ('Hypage, phōnēson ton andra sou kai elthe enthade.'). "Ὕπαγε" (Hypage) is an imperative form of "to go" often used to command or exhort someone to leave or depart. "φώνησον" (phōnēson) is a command to call or summon, drawn from "φωνέω" (phōneō), which means "to call" or "to proclaim." "ἄνδρα σου" (andra sou) translates to "your husband," specifying the person she is called to bring. "ἔλθε" (elthe) is another imperative, "come," and "ἐνθάδε" (enthade) means "here" or "in this place."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison with other ancient cultures, such an encounter between a man and a married or betrothed woman, especially one from a different ethnic or religious group, may have been scandalous or inappropriate.

In the religious context, this story contrasts with ancient myths in that rather than focusing on the hero's achievements, the interaction aims at the moral and spiritual revelation to an individual of low social standing.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the story does not yield much substance as it deals with interpersonal and spiritual dynamics rather than natural phenomena.

Modern psychological studies do often affirm the value of honesty and personal confrontation for mental and emotional health, indirectly affirming the wisdom within the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have presented diverse views on this passage:

• William Barclay highlights the insightful nature of Jesus's request, pointing out that it exposes the woman's need and sets the scene for a deeper conversation about her life and spiritual state.

• D.A.

Carson emphasizes Jesus's crossing of social boundaries as a demonstration of his mission to bring salvation to all people, including those outside traditional Jewish circles.

• Craig Keener, in his socio-historical commentary, points to the fact that Jesus engages the woman in theological discussion, which was quite radical due to the gender and cultural norms of the time.

Each of these views acknowledges the complex layers within John 4:16 and its subsequent passages, appreciating both the historical social context and the spiritual implications of Jesus's words.