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 4:40 mean?

Explanation

John 4:40 refers to the aftermath of an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

After a theological discussion where Jesus reveals his knowledge of the woman's life and proclaims himself the source of "living water," the woman returns to her town and tells her people about Jesus.

In response, the Samaritans of the town come out to see Jesus for themselves.

They invite him to stay with them, and He complies, spending two additional days in their town.

This verse underlines the theme of Jesus's ministry extending beyond the Jewish people and His willingness to engage with those considered outcasts or enemies by the Jews of that time.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Samaritans were a group of people who lived in what was then known as Samaria, situated between Judea and Galilee.

Historically, there was enmity between Jews and Samaritans because of differences in religious beliefs and practices.

For example, Samaritans only accepted the first five books of the Old Testament and had their own temple on Mount Gerizim.

In the time of Jesus, Jews often avoided contact with Samaritans and traveled around Samaria rather than through it.

In this context, Jesus’s decision to travel through Samaria and his interactions with the Samaritan woman and the people of the town were significant breaks from the social norms of the day.

Theological Insights

This verse reflects several theological themes:

Universal Outreach: It mirrors the universality of Jesus's ministry, highlighting that salvation and truth are not confined to a single ethnic or religious group.
Breaking Barriers: Jesus's action demonstrates the breaking of social and religious barriers, modeling how His followers should treat those different from themselves.
Personal Evangelism: The Samaritan woman becomes an evangelist, with her testimony leading her fellow townspeople to seek Jesus and eventually believe in Him.
Receptivity: This story also emphasizes the importance of being open and receptive to the truth, regardless of its source.

Practical Applications

This verse suggests several practical applications in daily life:

Inclusivity: Followers of Jesus are encouraged to be inclusive and welcoming to all people, despite cultural or religious differences.
Hospitality: The readiness of the Samaritans to host Jesus can inspire acts of hospitality, making room in our lives for others, including strangers.
Personal Witness: It reminds believers of the power of a personal testimony and the potential impact of sharing one's experience with Jesus.
Extended Ministry: The willingness of Jesus to remain with the Samaritans shows the importance of investing time in others’ spiritual journeys.

Cross-References

Luke 10:33 – “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.”
Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
John 8:48 – “Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term used for "tarry/stay" with them is "μείναι" (meinai), which is derived from "μένω" (meno), meaning to remain or abide.

It implies not just a physical presence but also a relational and communal aspect.

This word choice emphasizes that Jesus didn't just visit; He shared life with the Samaritans for those two days.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of a divine or holy figure engaging with non-believers or those outside the mainstream community can be found in various other cultural and religious narratives.

For example, in Hinduism, Krishna is often shown engaging with all strata of society without discrimination.

The inclusivity of Jesus in Christian theology may be compared to such narratives, underlining a common moral across different traditions , the divine favor is not limited by human boundaries.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse doesn't directly intersect with empirical data or theories.

However, anthropology and sociology might shed light on the significance of cross-cultural interactions and the breaking of social barriers as reflected in Jesus’s ministry to the Samaritans.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical commentators have provided insights on John 4:40:

William Barclay: He stresses the significance of Jesus staying with the Samaritans for two days, which challenged the prejudice of His time and showed His message was for all people.
Matthew Henry: Henry views the Samaritans’ eagerness to hear Jesus and their invitation for Him to stay as evidence of a true desire for spiritual nourishment.
**Craig S.

Keener**: In his commentary, Keener notes how the actions of Jesus in this passage underline His role as the Savior of the world, not just of the Jewish people.

Each of these commentaries emphasizes the broader implications of the verse and the inclusive nature of Jesus's ministry.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:40 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 4:40 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?