John 4

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 departed again into Galilee.

And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

And many more believed because of his own word;

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

What does John 4:19 mean?

Explanation

[The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.] John 4:19 is a statement made by a Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob to Jesus.

This response comes shortly after Jesus tells her about her personal life, specifically that she had five husbands and the man she was currently living with was not her husband.

The accuracy of Jesus's knowledge about her personal history, despite being a stranger, led the woman to recognize him as a prophet.

The deeper meaning here may reflect the idea that an encounter with Jesus leads to the unveiling of one's life and the truth, and prompts recognition of His divine insight or authority.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The interaction takes place in Samaria, which had historical enmity with the Jews.

Samaritans shared some common ancestry and religious texts with the Jews, but the two groups had diverged on many beliefs and practices.

Jesus being a Jew and speaking to a Samaritan woman was significant due to the social norms of the time: Jews typically avoided Samaritans, and men generally did not engage in private conversation with women who were not family members.

Additionally, the reference to her marital situation reflects the societal and religious expectations surrounding marriage and propriety in that era.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has been examined in multiple ways. In Christian tradition, it demonstrates Jesus's omniscience, as he displays knowledge that could only come from divine insight.

Furthermore, the interaction reflects Jesus's willingness to cross cultural and social barriers. It also challenges the stigma around the woman's life choices, suggesting Jesus's message is for all, irrespective of their social standing or history.

Theologically, this moment can be seen as an invitation to personal transformation and acknowledgment of Jesus's identity as more than a teacher or wise man.

Practical Applications

John 4:19 challenges individuals to recognize the deeper truths within their own lives and how they might be compelled to change when faced with truth.

The verse suggests that an honest encounter with spiritual teachings can lead to self-awareness and transformation.

Practically, it encourages breaking down social barriers and employing compassion and understanding when engaging with those from different backgrounds.

It also serves as a reminder to approach others with nonjudgmental acceptance, as Jesus exemplified.

Cross-References

John 4:25-26: "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."

John 9:35-37: "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee."
1 Kings 17:24: "And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth."

Language Study

The phrase "thou art a prophet" in the original Koine Greek is "σύ εἶ προφήτης" (sy ei prophētēs).

The word "προφήτης" (prophētēs) refers to someone who is a spokesman for God, one who conveys Divine revelation. In this context, the term "prophet" carries not just the idea of prediction but of deep spiritual insight and truth revealed by God to a human messenger.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, there are figures who are recognized for their prophetic abilities or divine insights, similar to prophets in the Hebraic tradition.

For instance, in ancient Greek religion, oracles such as the Pythia at Delphi played a role in revealing insights from the gods.

In various mythologies and religious systems, there are individuals who serve as intermediaries between the divine realm and humanity, providing wisdom, foretelling the future, or interpreting divine will.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the recognition of Jesus as a prophet in the context of this verse doesn't directly intersect with empirical conclusions or observations.

Scholars might interpret the woman's perception of Jesus as a prophet within the context of psychological phenomena such as pattern recognition or intuition.

However, the narrative largely resides in the realm of personal belief and religious experience, which science approaches with neutrality.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentaries offer insights into John 4:19.

Many commentaries focus on the significance of this encounter for both the woman and the broader message of the Gospel.

They often highlight the emblematic crossing of social boundaries by Jesus.

The statement made by the woman is seen as a pivotal moment in the narrative where she begins to grasp the true identity of Jesus.

Some scholars suggest that her realization and subsequent testimony to others represents the kind of personal transformation and evangelism that the Gospel advocates. Overall, experts often agree that this interaction showcases a crucial theological turning point in the Gospel of John.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 4:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?