John 4:20

Verse John 4:20. Worshipped in this mountain] Probably pointing to Mount Gerizim, at the foot of which Sychar was situated. The patriarchs had worshipped here - Jacob builded an altar on this mountain, and worshiped the true God: see Genesis 22:2; Genesis 33:20. Thus she could say, Our fathers worshipped in this mountain. On this mountain Sanballat had built them a temple, about 332 years before our Lord's incarnation. See Joseph. Antiq. xi. c. viii. s. 4, and 2 Macc. John 6:2.

Many heathens considered particular places as having a peculiar sanctity or fitness, for the worship of their deities, beyond others. Such places abound in Hindostan; and in them they think men ought to worship.

In the Hebrew Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 27:4, c., where the Israelites are commanded to build an altar on mount EBAL, and offer sacrifices, c., the Samaritan Pentateuch has GERIZIM instead of Ebal and Dr. Kennicott strongly contends, Dissert. vol. ii. p. 20, c., that Gerizim is the genuine reading: but our blessed Lord, by the following answer, shows that the place was a matter of little importance, as the Divine worship was no longer to be confined to either: John 4:21. Deuteronomy 27:4.