WHEN THEREFORE OUR LORD KNEW,.... Or Jesus, as some copies, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read; who is Lord of all, Lord of lords, the one and only Lord of saints: and who knew all things as God; every man, and what is in man; who would believe in him, and who not, and wh... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH JESUS HIMSELF BAPTIZED NOT,.... And therefore as Nonnus observes, it was a false report that was made to the Pharisees; at least in part, so far as concerns the act of baptizing: though it may be this is observed, not so much to show the falsehood of that report, as to correct what is said of... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LEFT JUDAEA,.... Where he had been for some time: at the feast of the passover he went up to Jerusalem, and after a short stay there, he came into the country part of Judea, where he tarried longer; and in both about the space of eight months; for it was now but four months to harvest, which bega... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE MUST NEEDS GO THROUGH SAMARIA. Not the city, but the country of Samaria; for the way to Galilee from Judea, lay through the midst of Samaria; nor was there any other way, without going a great way about; see Luke 9:51; and which is also confirmed by Josephus c: and this accounts for his going... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN COMETH HE TO A CITY OF SAMARIA, WHICH IS CALLED SYCHAR,.... Now called Neapolis d; the same with "Sichem", or "Shechem", as appears from its situation, NEAR TO THE PARCEL OF GROUND THAT JACOB GAVE TO HIS SON JOSEPH; see Genesis 33:18; and is either the same, only its termination is changed fr... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW JACOB'S WELL WAS THERE,.... So called, either because it was dug by him; or because he and his family made use of it, when in those parts, as in John 4:12, though no mention is made of it elsewhere, unless any reference is had to it in the blessing of Joseph, to whom this place belonged, Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE COMETH A WOMAN OF SAMARIA,.... Or "out of Samaria"; not out of the city of Samaria, but out of the country of Samaria; out of Sychar, a city of Samaria: her coming was not by chance, but by the providence of God, and agreeably to his purpose, who orders all things according to the counsel of h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS DISCIPLES WERE GONE AWAY,.... This is related, not so much to give a reason why Christ asked the woman for water, because his disciples were not present, to minister to him; but rather to show, that Christ took the opportunity, in their absence, to converse with her; partly to avoid the scan... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM,.... In a scoffing, jeering way, HOW IS IT, THAT THOU BEING A JEW; which she might know, by his language and his dress: ASKEST DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN OF SAMARIA? not that the waters of Samaria were unlawful for a Jew to drink of; for as "the land of... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER,.... In a very serious manner, in a different way from hers: IF THOU KNEWEST THE GIFT OF GOD; meaning, not the Holy Spirit with his gifts and graces, as some think, but himself; for the following clause is explanatory of it; AND WHO IT IS THAT SAITH TO THEE, GIVE M... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN SAITH UNTO HIM, SIR,.... Which was an usual, way in those countries, of addressing men, and especially strangers; and expresses no uncommon respect to Christ, of whose dignity and greatness she was, entirely ignorant; and at whom she was now scoffing; for so the following words are to be u... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU GREATER THAN OUR FATHER JACOB,.... A person of greater worth and character than he, who was content to drink of this water; or wiser and more knowing than he, who could find out no better fountain of water in all these parts? she calls Jacob the father of them, according to the common notio... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER,.... In a mild and gentle manner, patiently bearing all her scoffs and flouts, and continuing to instruct and inform her, concerning this living water, showing the preferableness of it to all others: WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THIS WATER; meaning in that well called Jaco... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM,.... Meaning, the Spirit and his grace; see John 7:38; and which he more than once speaks of, as his gift here, and in the context: of which, whoever truly partakes, SHALL NEVER THIRST; either after sinful lusts and pleasures, and his former... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN SAITH UNTO HIM, SIR,.... John 4:11; GIVE ME THIS WATER, THAT I THIRST NOT. The Syriac and Persic versions add, "again": NEITHER COME HITHER; the Ethiopic version adds here, "again"; TO DRAW. This she said also, in the same sneering and scoffing way, as her talking of not thirsting and... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HER,.... Observing that she continued an ignorant scoffer at him, and his words, determined to take another method with her; and convince her, that he was not a common and ordinary person she was conversing with, as she took him to be; and also what a sinner she was, and what a vici... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN ANSWERED AND SAID, I HAVE NO HUSBAND,.... Which was a truth she would not have spoke at another time and place, or to any of her neighbours; but Christ being a stranger, and no odium incurring upon her by it; and this serving a purpose to excuse her going to call him, she declares the trut... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST HAD FIVE HUSBANDS,.... Which she either had had lawfully, and had buried one after another; and which was no crime, and might be: the Sadducees propose a case to Christ, in which a woman is said to have had seven husbands successively, in a lawful manner, Matthew 22:25. Or rather, she... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN SAITH UNTO HIM, SIR,.... With another countenance, and a different air and gesture, with another accent and tone of speech, dropping her scoffs and jeers: I PERCEIVE THAT THOU ART A PROPHET; such an one as Samuel was, who could tell Saul what was in his heart, and that his father's asses... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FATHERS WORSHIPPED IN THIS MOUNTAIN,.... Mount Gerizim, which was just by, and within sight; so that the woman could point to it; it was so near to Shechem, or Sychar, that Jotham's voice was heard from the top of it thither, Judges 9:6. By the "fathers", this woman claims as theirs, are meant,... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, WOMAN, BELIEVE ME,.... In what I am now going to say, since you own me to be a prophet: THE HOUR COMETH; the time is at hand; it is very near; it is just coming: WHEN YE SHALL NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR YET AT JERUSALEM, WORSHIP THE FATHER; that is, God, whom the Jews, an... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT,.... However, as to her question, he more directly replies by condemning the Samaritans, and their ignorance in worship, and by approving the Jews; and so manifestly gives the preference to the Jews, not only with respect to the place, and object of worship, but with resp... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE HOUR COMETH, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS,.... The worshippers of the true God, and who worship in a right manner, whether Jews or Samaritans, or of whatsoever nation: SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER; the one true God, the Father of spirits, and of all flesh living: IN SPIRIT; in opposit... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS A SPIRIT,.... Or "the Spirit is God"; a divine person, possessed of all divine perfections, as appears from his names, works, and worship ascribed unto him; John 4:23; though the Arabic and Persic versions, and others, read as we do, "God is a spirit"; that is, God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghos... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN SAITH UNTO HIM,.... Not knowing well what to say to these things Christ had been discoursing about, as the place, object, and manner of worship; and being undetermined in her judgment of them, by what he had said, was willing to refer them to the Messiah's coming; of which she, and the Sam... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HER,.... Upon her making mention of the Messiah, of his coming, and of his work, he took the opportunity of making himself known unto her: I THAT SPEAK UNTO THEE AM [HE]; the Messiah; see Isaiah 52:6. This is a wonderful instance of the grace of Christ to this woman, that he should... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON THIS CAME HIS DISCIPLES,.... Just as he was saying the above words, and making himself known in this full manner, his disciples, who had been into the city to buy food, came up to them: AND MARVELLED THAT HE TALKED WITH THE WOMAN; or with a woman; for, according to the Jewish canons, it wa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMAN THEN LEFT HER WATER POT,.... Her pail, or bucket, she brought with her to the well to draw water in: this she left, either for Christ and his disciples to make use of; or rather through forgetfulness, her mind being greatly impressed, and her thoughts much taken up with what Christ had sai... [ Continue Reading ]
COME, SEE A MAN,.... An uncommon, an extraordinary man, a prophet, and, who himself says, he is the Messiah, who is now at Jacob's well; come, go along with me, and see him and converse with him, and judge for yourselves, who, and what he is: she does not say, "go and see"; for she proposed to go al... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY WENT OUT OF THE CITY,.... "The men", as the Syriac version expresses it; the inhabitants of Sychar left their business, and came out of the city: AND CAME UNTO HIM; to Christ, to see him, and converse with him, that they might know who he was: for though the woman had been a woman of ill... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MEAN WHILE,.... Whilst the woman was gone into the city, and had acquainted the inhabitants, that such a wonderful person was at Jacob's well, and invited them to come and see him: HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT; for they perceived a disinclination in him to food; and they kne... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE SAID UNTO THEM,.... That is, "Jesus", as the Persic, or the Lord Jesus, as the Ethiopic versions express it: I HAVE MEAT TO EAT THAT YE KNOW NOT OF: meaning the conversion of the Samaritan woman, and of other Samaritans, who were flocking in great numbers to him, which he knew, though his di... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE SAID THE DISCIPLES ONE TO ANOTHER,.... Privately, among themselves, though in his hearing; at least he knew what they said by answer; HATH ANY MAN; or anyone, any angel from heaven, or any of the inhabitants of the city, or any man or woman, or this woman they had found him talking with:... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM,.... His disciples: MY MEAT IS TO DO THE WILL OF HIM THAT SENT ME. The Ethiopic version reads, "of my Father that sent me", and who is undoubtedly intended. Now as food is pleasant, and delightful, and refreshing to the body of man, so doing the will of God was as delightful a... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY NOT YE, THERE ARE YET FOUR MONTHS,.... Our Lord had been in Jerusalem and Judea, about eight months from the last passover, and there remained four more to the next passover: AND THEN COMETH HARVEST? barley harvest, which began at that time. Now as the passover was in the middle of the month Ni... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT REAPETH RECEIVETH WAGES,.... Angels are sometimes called reapers, and so are ministers of the Gospel here. The works and ministry of the apostles are here expressed by "reaping": for as in reaping, when the corn is ripe, the sickle is put in, and the corn is cut down, and laid to the gro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HEREIN IS THAT SAYING TRUE,.... This verifies that proverbial expression so much in use, and which may be applied to different persons and cases: ONE SOWETH, AND ANOTHER REAPETH; the prophets sowed, and the apostles reaped.... [ Continue Reading ]
I SENT YOU TO REAP,.... To preach the Gospel, and gather in souls by your ministry; referring to the mission of them in Matthew 10:6; THAT WHEREON YE BESTOWED NO LABOUR; being sent to the Jews, who had the writings of the prophets, and were versed in them; and had learned from them that the Messia... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY OF THE SAMARITANS OF THAT CITY,.... Of Sychar, which was a city of Samaria; BELIEVED ON HIM; that he was the true Messiah he had told the woman he was; and she put it to them whether he was or not: before they saw him, or had any conversation with him themselves, they believed in him; see... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THE SAMARITANS WERE COME UNTO HIM,.... The Ethiopic version reads, all the Samaritans; they came to him at Jacob's well, upon the woman's solicitations, and the account she gave of this extraordinary person: and after they had conversed with him, and heard him themselves, they were taken wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY MORE BELIEVED,.... The Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions add, "on him": when he was come into the city, and had preached to the inhabitants in general, a larger multitude than before believed in him as the Messiah, and professed him, and became followers of him. BECAUSE OF HIS O... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID UNTO THE WOMAN,.... Who, it appears, kept hearing Christ, attending on him, and conversing with him; for having tasted of his grace, she could not leave him: NOW WE BELIEVE, NOT BECAUSE OF THY SAYING; not on account of that only: it should seem that these were the same persons that believe... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AFTER TWO DAYS HE DEPARTED THENCE,.... When he had stayed two days at Sychar conversing with, and discoursing to the Samaritans, which were the means of the conversion of many of them; he departed out of that country, and passed on his way: AND WENT INTO GALILEE; as he first intended; see John... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JESUS HIMSELF TESTIFIED,.... Matthew 13:57; THAT A PROPHET HATH NO HONOUR IN HIS OWN COUNTRY: all the Oriental versions read, "in his own city"; that is, Nazareth: for these words must not be understood as a reason why Christ left Judea, and went into Galilee, because he had no honour in Judea,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WHEN HE WAS COME INTO GALILEE,.... That part of it in which Cana lay, as appears by what follows: THE GALILAEANS RECEIVED HIM; willingly, readily, and cheerfully, with much delight and pleasure, and with marks of great esteem and respect: they received him into their houses, and entertained hi... [ Continue Reading ]
SO JESUS CAME AGAIN UNTO CANA OF GALILEE,.... Where he had been once before; see John 2:1. The Syriac version here, as there, calls it "Kotne" of Galilee; and the Persic version, "Catneh" of Galilee: WHERE HE MADE THE WATER WINE; see John 2:9; THERE WAS A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN; the Vulgate Latin render... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HEARD THAT JESUS WAS COME OUT OF JUDEA,.... For the fame of Christ, for his doctrine and miracles, was spread every where; so that it was known, and talked of, in most places, where he was, and what course he was steering: and this nobleman understanding that he had left Judea, and was come... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID JESUS UNTO HIM,.... With some degree of roughness in his speech, and severity in his countenance, in a way of reproof for his unbelief, as if he could not heal his son without going down to Capernaum along with him: EXCEPT YE SEE SIGNS AND WONDERS YE WILL NOT BELIEVE. This was the cast of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NOBLEMAN SAITH UNTO HIM, SIR,.... Notwithstanding this reproof, and seeming denial, he presses him again, and addressing him in a handsome and courteous manner, importunately entreats him, saying: COME DOWN ERE MY SON DIE; here was faith with a mixture of unbelief; he believed that Christ was a... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, GO THY WAY,.... Return home in peace, be not over much troubled and distressed about this matter; leave it with me, I will take care of it; all will be well: so the Persic version reads, "be not anxious, and go thy way"; do not be solicitous for my presence, or urge me to go wi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS HE WAS NOW GOING DOWN,.... From Cana to Capernaum, the day after he had been with Christ: HIS SERVANTS MET HIM, AND TOLD [HIM], SAYING, THY SON LIVETH; as soon as this cure was wrought, though it was not known in the family how, and by whom it was done, immediately some of the servants were... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN INQUIRED HE OF THEM THE HOUR,.... He did not at all hesitate about the truth of it, or was in any surprise upon it; but that he might compare things together, he asked the exact time, WHEN HE BEGAN TO AMEND; or grow better; for he seemed to think, that his recovery might be gradual, and not al... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE FATHER KNEW THAT IT WAS AT THE SAME HOUR,.... Precisely; IN THAT WHICH JESUS SAID TO HIM, THY SON LIVETH: he had observed what time of day it was, in which he conversed with Jesus; and particularly, when he told him his son was alive and well, and when he took his leave of him; and by compar... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS [IS] AGAIN THE SECOND MIRACLE [THAT] JESUS DID,.... That is, in that place, in Cana of Galilee; for otherwise, in Jerusalem and Judea, he had done many miracles, between the former and this; see John 2:23; and so the following words explain it: WHEN HE WAS COME OUT OF JUDEA INTO GALILEE; this... [ Continue Reading ]