The Samaritan idea of the Messiah was religious, not political, and hence Jesus could here proclaim Himself as the Messiah without causing a political ferment: contrast His action among the Jews (John 6:15; John 10:24, etc.).

Our Lord's teaching about worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), though general in form, had special reference to the woman's needs. Her religion was an external one of forms and ceremonies, and this accounted for her evil life. If she could but be taught that religion is the attitude of the heart towards God, all would be changed.

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