CHAPTER IV. JESUS AT THE WELL. After the Savior's Passover and the conversation with Nicodemus, he tarried in the land of Judea, probably until the late fall of the year (chapter 4:35). He had not yet called his apostles nor ordained his baptism, but he co-operated with John in administering his b... [ Continue Reading ]
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 controversy noted in the last chapter (3:22-27) had stirred up no little excitement. "The Jew" who disput... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH THE LORD DID NOT HIMSELF BAPTIZE, BUT HIS DISCIPLES. ‘ Christ's message at this time was John's: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and his baptism was that of John. Hence it was needful that it be administered by servants, rather than the Master. His own baptism could not be ob... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MUST NEEDS GO THROUGH SAMARIA. Samaria was between Judea and Galilee, and hence the route led through it. It seems probable from John 4:35, that it was in the latter part of the fall that he departed from Judea. See comment on verse 35. The scene at Jacob's well presents. most graphic, and yet... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN COMETH HE TO. CITY OF SAMARIA, WHICH IS CALLED SYCHAR. Samaria was the district, embracing the ancient city of Samaria, which lay between Judea and Galilee. As it was interposed between, when our Lord would go from Judea to Galilee "he must needs go through Samaria," unless he would take. very... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW JACOB'S WELL WAS THERE. It is still seen by the traveller, cut through the solid rock, between eight and nine feet in diameter, and about seventy-five feet deep. When visited by Maundrel, two hundred years ago, it was over. hundred feet deep. The accumulation of rubbish at the bottom has lessen... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE COMETH. WOMAN OF SAMARIA. A Samaritan woman of the city of Sychar. Why she should come so far from the city for water is. matter of conjecture. It was the custom for women to work in the fields, and she was probably employed near, and came at the noon hour, the hour of rest and refreshment, to... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW IS IT THAT THOU, BEING. JEW, ASKEST DRINK OF ME? She saw by his dress, appearance, and the direction whence he came that he was of the Jewish race. The antipathy between the Jews and Samaritans was so bitter that, although there might be some trade and they could buy food of each other on. journ... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU KNEWEST THE GIFT OF GOD, AND WHO IT IS THAT SAITH TO THEE, GIVE ME TO DRINK. The gift of God is not water, nor even peace of soul, but Christ himself, God's "unspeakable gift." "God gave his only begotten Son." She neither knew of God's unspeakable gift, nor that the Son given was at that m... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, THOU HAST NOTHING TO DRAW WITH... WHENCE THEN HAST THOU THAT LIVING WATER? She was deeply impressed by his manner and his words. This is shown by her calling him Sir (_Kurie,_ Lord), but she fails to rise above the material meaning of his words. The well is. hundred feet deep; it, like the wel... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU GREATER THAN OUR FATHER JACOB? The question indicates still further her dawning conviction of the greatness of the stranger. It was from Joseph, the son of Jacob, that the Samaritans claimed descent. Jesus spoke of giving living water; Jacob, their great ancestor, had given this well; he,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THIS WATER SHALL THIRST AGAIN. Her own experience would confirm his words. Nothing earthly satisfies long. Raiment, food, drink, all have to be supplied again.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT. SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST. The water of which he speaks is. gift which he gives to humanity. It is not given to him but is his own gift. No prophet ever spoke thus, no man, only Jesus Christ. His language is always that of the Son of God. He says, "I am... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, GIVE ME THIS WATER, THAT. THIRST NOT. The mysterious words of the Jewish stranger she cannot yet understand, but she is deeply stirred, and one thing seemed plain--if she could have this water she would thirst no more, and would not be compelled to come to the well. She is bewildered, but eage... [ Continue Reading ]
GO, CALL THY HUSBAND, AND COME HITHER. The woman has asked for the water; before she can receive it she must be fully conscious of her need, of her soul's thirst, of her sinfulness and wretchedness. Hence Jesus makes. demand that will awake her to. sense of her condition. His abrupt words are desig... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE NO HUSBAND. The words have their designed effect. Probably with the deep blush and confusion of shame she admits that she has no husband. She has. man, but not. husband. The emphasis is on the word husband.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST HAD FIVE HUSBANDS; AND HE WHOM THOU NOW HAST IS NOT THY HUSBAND. The Lord accepts her statement as true in words, but reveals to her his knowledge of the real facts. She had been married five times; the easy divorce laws of the age, permitting. "divorce for any cause," would allow many ch... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR,. PERCEIVE THAT THOU ART. PROPHET. Every word that Jesus had uttered had excited her wonder more and more, and when he lifted the curtain off her life, she was convinced at once of his superhuman knowledge. She had heard of the ancient prophets; he must be one.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FATHERS WORSHIPED IN THIS MOUNTAIN; AND YE SAY, THAT IN JERUSALEM IS THE PLACE WHERE MEN OUGHT TO WORSHIP. Partly to turn attention from her sinful life, and partly to have him settle. great controversy, she appeals to him to say where men ought to worship God. The Jews went up to Jerusalem to t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR COMETH, WHEN NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR YET AT JERUSALEM. Now comes the announcement of one of the grandest truths revealed by Christ. The Jews said that men _must_ worship at Jerusalem to worship acceptably; the Samaritans contended for Mt. Gerizim as the true holy place; the Mahometan... [ Continue Reading ]
SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS. In the controversy between the Jews and Samaritans, the former were right on the great issue. The Samaritans, worshiped, but knew not what they worshiped, because they rejected the prophets who would have directed them. In this the Jews had the advantage, and the salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR COMETH, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH. This verse is linked with verse 21st. The time is at hand, says the Lord, when. worship of forms, or at holy places, will not meet the demands of the Father. _He must_ be worshiped with the heart, in... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS. SPIRIT. Rather, "God is Spirit." This declaration is fundamental. 1. God is not material, according to the gross conception of the pagans. 2. He is not. material force, nor an abstract force as some scientists urge. 3. Nor is he. kind of blind, impersonal power, "that makes for righteousnes... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW THAT MESSIAS COMETH, WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST. Her heart had been made lighter with the great hope of the world. The words of Jesus carried her thoughts to that hope. He had told her much; the Messiah would tell her all things, and give light on every dark question.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SPEAK UNTO THEE AM HE. This is the first recorded confession of Jesus that he was the Christ. His disciples learned to believe the truth, but until Peter's confession the last year of his ministry, there was no open admission. Perhaps we never can tell why he chose to make his first acknowledg... [ Continue Reading ]
SOWING AND REAPING. The hearty reception given by the Samaritans to the Jewish teacher shows that their hearts were much more open to the reception of divine truths than the conceited and bigoted Jews. It seems strange, with such readiness to receive him on their part, that we do not hear more of ou... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE WOMAN LEFT HER WATER-POT AND WENT HER WAY. Her soul was so stirred that she forgot the errand on which she came to the well. She had got. taste of the "living water," and forgot her need of the water of the well. The Savior had told her to call her husband. Her soul was so full of the stran... [ Continue Reading ]
COME AND SEE. MAN WHO TOLD ME ALL THINGS. EVER DID. He had told her some things about her own life, and conscience had told her more. She felt that all was known to him, and naturally exaggerates by saying, "He told me all my life." Notice that as soon as she believes she seeks to spread the tiding... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEN WENT THEY OUT OF THE CITY. Her success was immediate. Their curiosity was aroused and they were eager to hear. It is evident, by the effect of her words, that they were not. skeptical people, but were waiting for the Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT. While the woman was gone, spreading the tidings, this episode occurs with the disciples. They had returned with food, which they now pressed upon the Master whom they had left wearied and hungry. To their surprise, although it was now past the noon hou... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE MEAT TO EAT YE KNOW NOT OF. "Man shall not live by bread alone." The Lord who could go forty days in the wilderness without food, in the exaltation of soul caused by his baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit, would forget the hunger of the body also, when he was pouring out the water of l... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH ANY MAN BROUGHT HIM OUGHT TO EAT? Their ideas were still as gross as those of the Samaritan woman, who at first could not comprehend the "living water." They cannot think of spiritual food, heavenly manna, bread of life. Yet, long before, the prophet had spoke of this food and had said, "Ye th... [ Continue Reading ]
MY MEAT IS TO DO THE WILL OF HIM THAT SENT ME, AND TO FINISH HIS WORK. It must be borne in mind that "meat" in the Scripture, means not only flesh, but any kind of food. The Savior then declares, in explanation of the perplexity, to his disciples, that to do the will of God is food to him; that is,... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY NOT YE, THERE ARE YET FOUR MONTHS, AND THEN COMETH HARVEST? Harvest began about the middle of April in Palestine. The time when the Savior spoke would then be about the middle of December. This would indicate that he had passed eight months in Judea, as he had come from Galilee to attend the Pas... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT REAPETH RECEIVETH WAGES. The figure is kept up. The reaper in the harvest fields receives wages, and so shall those who reap the harvest of souls; not earthly pay in money, or fame, or position, but the happiness of doing the noblest work, and beyond, the crown of life shining with stars. ... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE SOWETH, AND ANOTHER REAPETH. This was. common proverb, growing out of constant human experience, true of worldly and spiritual things. How often has the patient pastor sowed, and then the evangelist has reaped in. meeting the results!... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT YOU TO REAP THAT WHEREON YE BESTOWED NO LABOR. The verb "sent" is past, and refers to some event before the present incident. It can only be explained by referring it to the events of the last eight months. The disciples had baptized multitudes, "more than John" (chapter 4:1); so many that Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY OF THE SAMARITANS BELIEVED ON HIM FOR THE SAYING OF THE WOMAN. She had borne witness, wisely, gladly, as best she could, and though. very humble creature, she had not preached Christ in vain.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THE SAMARITAN WERE COME. Because already faith was sprung up in their hearts, they insisted that he should tarry with them.. strange invitation for. Samaritan village to give to. Jew. It was also. strange thing for. Jewish teacher to accept the invitation.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY MORE BELIEVED BECAUSE OF HIS OWN WORD. They saw and heard for themselves. He worked no miracles, but he poured the waters of life with the result that they recognized in him. divine teacher. He wrought miracles at Jerusalem, but how different the course of the self-righteous Pharisees!... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW THAT THIS IS INDEED THE CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. The Samaritan hearts were good soil, ready for the word, open and honest, and hence there was. wonderful result. To the woman Jesus had said, that he was the Christ. Now by his teachings, many months before Peter's confession, the Samari... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NOBLEMAN'S SON. This lesson, though it follows the last without. break in John's Gospel, is thought to be separated in time by. short interval from the last. It will be noted that Jesus, on leaving Samaria, does not return to his old home at Nazareth, the home of his mother and brethren, but goe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JESUS HIMSELF TESTIFIED THAT. PROPHET HATH NO HONOR IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. The "for" explains why Jesus did not tarry at Nazareth, but went to other parts of Galilee and stopped at Capernaum. This statement of Jesus is recorded four times and in three of these certainly refers to the rejection of J... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WAS COME INTO GALILEE THE GALILEANS RECEIVED HIM. He had honor abroad in Galilee, though rejected at his own home. The ready reception of the Galileans is explained in the statement that they had seen all that he had done at the feast, his cleansing of the temple, and his miracles. John exp... [ Continue Reading ]
SO JESUS CAME AGAIN TO CANA, WHERE HE HAD MADE THE WATER WINE. It was the home of Nathanael, who, there is reason to believe, had followed him in his journey to Judea, and some think that it was now the home of Mary, but this is mere conjecture. AND THERE WAS. CERTAIN NOBLEMAN, WHOSE SON WAS SICK.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HEARD THAT JESUS WAS COME OUT OF JUDEA. Either he had been to Jerusalem to the feast, or he had heard of the deeds of Jesus from others. The fact that he comes, as soon as he heard of the return of the Lord, shows that he was already regarded as. prophet in Galilee. Note that: 1. The nobl... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT YE SEE SIGNS AND WONDERS, YE WILL NOT BELIEVE. Jesus had just come from Sychar where, without. miracle, but because his words and character met the needs of their souls, the people believed on him and declared him "the Christ, the Savior of the world." The nobleman, in his sore distress, has... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, COME DOWN ERE MY CHILD DIE. Fearing, by the Savior's reply, that he did not intend to grant his request, he makes an impassioned appeal. "Not. moment was to be lost. Soon it would be too late. Come down, at once, before the child is dead." Christ is educating his faith. It is made more complet... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THY WAY; THY SON LIVETH. These words were spoken like the Son of God. There was no hesitation; no doubt; the fact is as firm as the hills of Cana. The manner of the Lord at once carried conviction to the heart of the sorrowing father. THE MAN BELIEVED. At the time of his coming he had. partial... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS HE WAS GOING DOWN. He did not hurry back. He might have reached Capernaum the same evening, as the Savior had dismissed him at one o'clock, but his anxiety was gone. It was on the next morning that his servants met him with the good news that his son was well.... [ Continue Reading ]
YESTERDAY, AT THE SEVENTH HOUR, THE FEVER LEFT HIM. At the exact hour that Jesus had spoken the fever disappeared. The seventh hour is one o'clock.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIMSELF BELIEVED, AND HIS WHOLE HOUSE. Henceforth this household was among the believers. It is. natural and pardonable curiosity that leads us to seek their further history. He was an officer of Herod, and the fact that "Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward," was one who ministered to him in... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS AGAIN THE SECOND MIRACLE. The word is "sign" in the Greek. He had wrought other miracles in Judea, but this was the second wrought in Galilee. The seat of the first was Cana; the Lord was at Cana when he wrought the second, but the subject of it was at Capernaum. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 1... [ Continue Reading ]