The former part of this chapter accquaints us with our Saviour's removal from Judea into Galilee. The occasion of it was this: Christ hearing that John was cast into prison, and understanding how the Pharisees were enraged at the increasing of the number of disciples; to decline their fury, and prev... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. How wonderfully the wisdom of God overrules the malice of men for his own glory, and the good of others. The malice of the Pharisees in Judea drives Christ into Galilee, and in his passage through Samaria, the first fruits of the Gentiles are called, and particularly the woman of Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How all our motions and actions are under the direction and Government of God, and how divine providence doth sometimes dispose of small matters to become occassions of great good. This poor woman's coming to the well to draw water, became the means of her conversion. Observe, 2. C... [ Continue Reading ]
The Samaritan woman had refused Christ. draught of water in the former verse, he offers her the water of life in this verse. O! how kindly doth Christ deal with those that dealt unkindly with him! IF THOU KNOWEST THE GIFT OF GOD, &E. Here observe, 1. The mercy which Christ had for, and was so desir... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How ignorant persons are of spiritual things, till enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God. This poor woman's question, WHENCE HAST THOU THAT LIVING WATER? looks much like that of Nicodemus, HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? John 3:9. natural person cannot perceive the mind of Christ when spea... [ Continue Reading ]
These words set forth unto us, 1.What manner of person this woman was, whose conversion Christ sought so industriously after. 2. The means he used in order to that end. Observe, 1. What manner of person this woman was; besides that she was an idolater, as being. Samaritan, she was also an adultres... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses, the Evangelist declares. three-fold effect and fruit of the grace of conversion that appeared in this woman. 1. She neither denied, nor excused, nor extenuated this sin, which Christ had charged her with, but tacitly owns, and implicitly confesses it. 2. She doth not only own and... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have our Saviour's answer to the foregoing question, which consists of two parts. 1. Concerning the place of worship. 2. Concerning the worship itself. As to the place of worship, our Saviour tells her, That though the Jews had heretofore by warrant of God's word regularly worshipped at J... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS. SPIRIT; that is, he hath no body, nor bodily parts; he is not. bare spiritual substance: but. pure and perfect Spirit: and therefore his worshippers MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH; where spirit is opposed to the legal ceremonies, and truth to the Jewish rites, not to hypocritical se... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What. general expectation there was in the minds of all persons (at the time of our Saviour's appearing) of one whom the Jews call the Messiah. I KNOW THAT MESSIAH COMETH. This woman, though. Samaritan, yet knew that the Messiah should come, and that he was now expected. Observe, 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the providence of God so ordered and disposed of things, that the disciples did not return to Christ, till he had finished his discourse with this poor woman. An humbled sinner may meet with such satisfaction and sweet refreshment in Christ's company, that the presence even of d... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The fit and seasonable motion which our Saviour's disciples make to him; MASTER, EAT. Learn from thence, That though. person's chief care should be for his own soul, and for improving all opportunities for doing good to the souls of others; yet the bodies of men must not be neglected,... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour having, in the former verses, given. most plain and evident demonstration of his fervent desire to bring souls home to God, doth in these verses labour to stir up and kindle the like affections in his disciples; and this he doth by three very effectual arguments. The first argum... [ Continue Reading ]
Here an account is given of the conversion of more of the Samaritans from the city of Sichar. Some believed on him, upon the full report which the woman had made, That, HE HAD TOLD HER ALL THAT EVER SHE DID; but others were brought to believe by HIS OWN WORD. Now from the woman's being an instrumen... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour having spent two days with the Samaritans, as an introduction to the calling of the Gentiles, he goes forward towards Galilee, the place which he was pleased to make choice of for exercise of the greatest part of his ministry. Coming into Galilee, he passeth by the city of Nazare... [ Continue Reading ]
In this last paragraph of the chapter, we find our blessed Saviour performing. second miracle in Cana of Galilee, curing. nobleman's son that was sick of. fever. This nobleman apprehended Christ to be. prophet, and believed that if he were bodily present with his son, he might possibly cure him: but... [ Continue Reading ]