John 4:(1–6) Jesus Travels Through Samaria
John 4:(1–3)
(1) Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (2) (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), (3) He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
Jesus leaves Judea and heads to Galilee because the Pharisees learned He was making more disciples than John the Baptist. This suggests He was avoiding premature conflict with religious leaders. It also emphasizes Jesus’ humility and intentional timing.
John 4(4):
“But he needed to go through Samaria.”
Geographically, Jews often avoided Samaria due to deep-rooted ethnic and religious animosity. But Jesus “needed” to go, indicating a divine appointment rather than just a geographic route.
John 4:(5–6)
(5) So He came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (6) Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
Jesus stops at Jacob’s well near Sychar, tired from His journey. This underscores His humanity. He is experiencing physical exhaustion.
John 4:(7–26) Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
John 4:(7)
“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
A Samaritan woman comes to draw water around noon (the sixth hour). This unusual time suggests she may be avoiding social interaction due to shame or social exclusion.
John 4:(8)
“For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.”
This verse explains why Jesus was alone at the well when He began speaking with the Samaritan woman. His disciples had gone into the nearby city (Sychar) to purchase food, leaving Him by Himself. This sets the stage for a private and culturally significant conversation between Jesus and the woman, unimpeded by social expectations or interruptions.
John 4:(9)
She’s surprised that Jesus, a Jew, speaks to her, a Samaritan woman. Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans due to historical and religious tensions.
John 4:(10)
Jesus introduces spiritual truth by offering the women “living water,” symbolizing eternal life and the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).
John 4:(11–12)
She misunderstands, thinking of physical water. She compares Jesus to Jacob, questioning His authority. The “Jacob” she is referring to here is the patriarch Jacob from the Old Testament; he is the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the Grandson of Abraham who is later named Israel by God (Genesis 32:28). Abraham is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel According to tradition, he dug or owned the well where Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman. Jacob is mentioned because the woman is appealing to shared heritage. Although Jews and Samaritans had deep religious and cultural divisions, both groups claimed descent from Jacob. She emphasizes Jacob’s importance and connection to the well, and questions whether Jesus is greater than Jacob, a revered ancestor.
John 4:(13–14)
Jesus contrasts earthly water (which satisfies only temporarily) with the living water He gives, which “will become in him a fountain…springing up into everlasting life.”
John 4:(15)
The woman expresses interest, though still misunderstanding, hoping to avoid the chore of drawing water.
John 4:(16–18)
Jesus tells her to call her husband, exposing her past—five husbands and living with a man, not her husband. This reveals His divine knowledge and gently confronts her moral state.
John 4:(19)
She calls Him a prophet, acknowledging His supernatural insight.
John 4:(20–22)
She raises a theological dispute: Where should worship occur—Mount Gerizim (Samaritans) or Jerusalem (Jews)? Jesus tells her that salvation is from the Jews (correct theology), but hints that a new era is coming.
John 4:(23–24)
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” This is a key theological statement. True worship is not tied to a location but to the inward reality and must be authentic, Spirit-led worship grounded in truth.
John 4:( 25–26)
She mentions the coming Messiah. Jesus directly reveals Himself. “I who speak to you am He.”
This is one of the few direct admissions of His messianic identity early in His ministry.
John 4:(27–38) The Disciples and the Harvest
John 4:(27–30)
The disciples return and are surprised to find Jesus talking with a woman. Meanwhile, she leaves her waterpot —a symbol of letting go of old priorities —and tells the town about Jesus.
John 4:(31–34)
The disciples urge Jesus to eat, but He replies: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.”
His nourishment is spiritual obedience to the Father’s mission.
John 4:(35–38)
Jesus shifts to a metaphor about harvest. He encourages the disciples to recognize the spiritual harvest of people ready to receive the gospel. The Samaritan woman is an example of this harvest.
John 4:(39–42) Many Samaritans Believe
John 4:(39)
Many Samaritans believe based on the woman’s testimony.
John 4:(40–42)
They ask Jesus to stay for two days. After hearing Him, many believe not just because of her words but His own: “This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” This is a remarkable confession from Samaritans! It prefigures the expansion of the gospel beyond Israel.
John 4:(43–54) Jesus Heals a Nobleman’s Son
John 4:(44)
Jesus notes that a prophet has no honor in his own country, likely referring to Nazareth.
John 4:(45–46)
He returned to Cana, where He had turned water into wine. A nobleman (likely a royal official under Herod) pleads for Jesus to heal his dying son in Capernaum.
John 4:(48)
Jesus challenges the need for signs and wonders, addressing the crowd’s superficial faith.
John 4:(50)
“Go your way; your son lives.”
The nobleman believes Jesus’ word without seeing a miracle, which contrasts with the “seeing is believing” attitude.
John 4:(51–53)
He learns the healing occurred at the very hour Jesus spoke. He and his whole household believe.
John 4:(54)
This is the second sign Jesus performed in Galilee, reinforcing His divine power.
What have we learned?
Jesus crosses social, ethnic, and gender boundaries (Jew/Samaritan, man/woman, moral/righteous).
True worship is spiritual and not bound to place.
Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah early and directly.
Personal testimony leads others to faith.
Faith is tested and strengthened by trusting Jesus’ word.
John Chapter 4 – Questions & Answers
1. Why did Jesus “need to go through Samaria”? (John 4:4)
Answer:
Though Jews typically avoided Samaria due to deep-seated prejudice, Jesus “needed” to go because His journey was divinely appointed. The phrase signifies a spiritual necessity, not just geography. It was the Father’s will that He meet the Samaritan woman, demonstrating that salvation is for all people, not just the Jews. (See also John 3:16; Acts 1:8.)
2. What is the significance of Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink? (John 4:7)
Answer:
This simple request breaks through social, racial, and gender barriers. Jewish men did not typically converse with Samaritan women, yet Jesus shows compassion and equality. His question opens the door to discuss spiritual thirst, leading to the revelation of “living water.”
(See also Galatians 3:28.)
3. What does “living water” mean in verse 10?
Answer:
“Living water” symbolizes the eternal life and spiritual satisfaction that Jesus gives through the Holy Spirit. Unlike physical water that quenches temporarily, the living water Christ offers refreshes the soul forever. (Compare John 7:37–39; Revelation 22:17.)
4. Why did Jesus tell the woman to call her husband? (John 4:16–18)
Answer:
Jesus exposed her personal life not to condemn, but to reveal truth and awaken her conscience. His omniscience, in knowing that she had five husbands and was living with another man, proved His divine nature. Grace always confronts sin with truth and love. (See also Hebrews 4:13; John 8:11.)
5. What does Jesus mean when He says true worshipers must worship “in spirit and truth”? (John 4:23–24)
Answer:
True worship is not tied to a physical location like Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem but flows from a sincere heart directed by the Holy Spirit and aligned with God’s revealed truth in Christ. Worship becomes personal, inward, and authentic. (See also Philippians 3:3.)
6. How did the woman respond to Jesus’ revelation that He is the Messiah? (John 4:28–29)
Answer:
She immediately left her water jar, which was a symbolic act of leaving behind her old life. Then went to tell others: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did.” Her excitement and testimony sparked a revival in her town, showing how a transformed heart leads to evangelism.
(See also Mark 5:19.)
7. What did Jesus mean when He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me”? (John 4:34)
Answer:
Jesus reveals His complete dependence and joy in doing the Father’s will. His spiritual nourishment comes from obedience and mission, not physical sustenance. This model shows that believers also find strength and fulfillment in serving God’s purposes. (See also Deuteronomy 8:3; John 6:38.)
8. What lesson did Jesus teach the disciples about the “harvest”? (John 4:35–38)
Answer:
Jesus used the Samaritans’ coming faith as a metaphor for a spiritual harvest ready to be reaped. He urged His disciples to recognize that the time for evangelism was now. Some sow the Word; others reap the results, but both rejoice together in the work of salvation.
(See also Matthew 9:37–38.)
9. What declaration did the Samaritans make after meeting Jesus? (John 4:42)
Answer:
After hearing Jesus themselves, the Samaritans said, “We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” This is one of the earliest and clearest confessions of Jesus’ universal mission. Knowing that He came to redeem all nations, not Israel alone. (See also 1 John 4:14.)
10. How did the healing of the nobleman’s son demonstrate true faith? (John 4:50–53)
Answer:
The nobleman believed Jesus’ words, “Your son lives,” and departed without seeing proof. His faith rested solely on Jesus’ authority, and the healing occurred at that very moment. This miracle reveals that faith in Christ’s word is enough, even before visible evidence.
(See also Hebrews 11:1; Romans 10:17.)