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 4:43 mean?

Explanation

John 4:43 speaks of Jesus Christ's departure from Samaria, where he had spent two days, to proceed into Galilee. This passage follows the account of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, where He discussed living water and true worship.

The verse serves as a transition between two significant events: Jesus' ministry in Samaria and His subsequent work in Galilee.

Although the verse appears straightforward, it holds deeper implications concerning Jesus' movement and acceptance among different groups, as well as the unfolding of His mission.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

At the time of this narrative, Samaria and Galilee were regions within the area governed by the Roman Empire.

Historically, there was animosity between Jews and Samaritans due to differences in religious beliefs and practices. Jews typically avoided traveling through Samaria when journeying between Judea and Galilee.

However, Jesus deliberately chose this route, indicating His mission to break down social and religious barriers. Galilee was more heavily populated by Jews and was the setting for much of Jesus' early ministry.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Jesus' movement from Samaria to Galilee can represent the transition from reaching out to those who are marginalized (such as the Samaritans) to addressing the broader Israeli population. This reflects the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry.

Some theologians see this passage as a fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah for all people, not just the Jews.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to step beyond their comfort zones and engage with individuals from different backgrounds or cultures.

It suggests that Jesus' followers should not limit their outreach to only those who are similar but should extend it to all communities.

Additionally, it encourages believers to be open to God's leading, even if it takes them into unfamiliar territories.

Cross-References

John 4:4 - "And he must needs go through Samaria."
Luke 4:14 - "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about."
Matthew 4:12 - "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key phrase is "καὶ μετὰ ταύτας τὰς δύο ἡμέρας" (kai meta tautas tas duo hemeras) which translates as "and after these two days".

Each word can be analyzed for deeper understanding:

"καὶ" (kai) translates as "and", a conjunction that connects thoughts and events.
"μετὰ" (meta) means "after", indicating a sequence of events.
"ταύτας" (tautas) is the accusative form of "this", relating to time spent in Samaria.
"δύο" (duo) means "two", a number signifying the duration of time.
"ἡμέρας" (hemeras) is the accusative plural form of "day", suggesting the passage of time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a religious figure moving from one region to another to impart wisdom or deliver a message is a common theme in various religious narratives.

For example, the Hindu god Krishna is depicted as traveling widely to teach dharma.

In Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama traveled extensively across India after attaining enlightenment.

These accounts, like the movement of Jesus recorded in John 4:43, underscore the universality of a spiritual mission.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientists typically do not comment on theological texts directly.

However, if one were seeking to intersect the verse with scientific perspectives, it might involve the study of ancient travel routes and the feasibility of traveling on foot between different regions within specific timeframes.

Social scientists might also analyze the impact of Jesus' actions against the backdrop of the cultural and ethnic divisions of the time.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of John 4:43.

Some commentaries, like those of Matthew Henry, focus on the urgency and importance of Jesus's mission in Galilee and divine timing in His movement.

Others, such as William Barclay, consider the significance of Jesus' work being more readily accepted in Galilee as opposed to Judea, despite initial premonitions.

Different commentaries discuss the societal implications of Jesus bridging the gap between Jews and Samaritans, suggesting a powerful message of reconciliation and inclusivity.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:43 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 4:43 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?