John 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jesus made and baptized, etc. - These seem to be quoted as the very words which were brought to the Pharisees; and, from our Lord's conduct after this information, we may take it for granted that they were so irritated that they were determined to seek an occasion to take away his life; in consequence of which, leaving Judea, he withdrew into Galilee.
Open source ↗CHRIST AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA--THE SAMARITANS OF SYCHAR. (John 4:1-42) the Lord knew--not by report, but in the sense of Joh 2:25, for which reason He is here styled "the Lord."
Open source ↗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 who would betray him; he knew his adversaries, what they thought, said, or did; what was told them, and how it operated in them; and what were the secret motions of their hearts, and their most private counsels and designs; for this is not merely to be understood of his knowledge as man, which he might have by private intelligence from others; though what is here said, might be true also in this sense: how the Pharisees; the inveterate and implacable enemies of Christ, and particularly those that dwelt at Jerusalem, and were of the great sanhedrim, or council of the nation: had heard; either by their spies, which they constantly kept about Christ; or by John s disciples, who, through envy, might apply to the sanhedrim, to put a stop to, or check upon the baptism and ministry of Christ; or by common fame: that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John; see Joh 3:26. The method Christ took was, he first made men disciples, and then baptized them; and the same he directed his apostles to, saying, "go and teach", or "disciple all nations, baptizing them", &c. And this should be a rule of conduct to us, to baptize only such, who appear to have been made the disciples of Christ: now a disciple of Christ, is one that has learned of Christ, and has learned Christ; the way of life, righteousness, and salvation by him; who is a believer in him; who has seen a beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness in him, as a Saviour; and is come to him, and has ventured on him, and trusted in…
Open source ↗We read of Christ's coming into Judea (Joh 3:22), after he had kept the feast at Jerusalem; and now he left Judea four months before harvest, as is said here (Joh 4:35); so that it is computed that he staid in Judea about six months, to build upon the foundation John had laid there. We have no particular account of his sermons and miracles there, only in general, Joh 4:1. I. That he made disciples; he prevailed with many to embrace his doctrine, and to follow him as a teacher come from God. His ministry was successful, notwithstanding the opposition it met with (Psa 110:2, Psa 110:3); mathētas poiei - it signifies the same with mathēteuō - to disciples. Compare Gen 12:5. The souls which they had gotten, which they had made (so the word is), which they had made proselytes. Note, It is Christ's prerogative to make disciples, first to bring them to his foot, and then to form and fashion them to his will. Fit, non nascitur, Christianus - The Christian is made such, not born such. Tertullian. II. That he baptized those whom he made disciples, admitted them by washing them with water; not himself, but by the ministry of his disciples, Joh 4:2. 1. Because he would put a difference between his baptism and that of John, who baptized all himself; for he baptized as a servant, Christ as a master. 2. He would apply himself more to preaching work, which was the more excellent, Co1 1:17. 3. He would put honour upon his disciples, by empowering and employing them to do it; and so train them up to further services. 4. If he had baptized some himself, they would have been apt to value themselves upon that, and despise others, which he would prevent, as Paul, Co1 1:13, Co1 1:14. 5. He would reserve himself for the honour of baptizing with the Holy Ghost, Act 1:5. 6. He would teach us…
Open source ↗4:1-42 At a historic well in Samaria, Jesus offered himself as living water. Jesus engaged and confronted people with the revelation of God, and they either followed or fell away. • The Samaritan woman contrasted with Nicodemus at every turn: a woman (not a man), a Samaritan (not a Jew), a sinner (not righteous), and an outcast (not one of Israel’s rabbis). While Nicodemus fell silent and never responded to Jesus’ challenges (3:1-21), this woman acknowledged Jesus as Lord, remained in the light, and exhibited signs of discipleship (see 1:35-51).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than
Open source ↗καίτοιγε (kaítoige, G2544) — and yet indeed, i.e. although really Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil
Open source ↗ἀφίημι (aphíēmi, G863) — an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía, G2449) — the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… διέρχομαι (diérchomai, G1330) — to traverse (literally) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) Σαμάρεια (Samáreia, G4540) — Samaria (i.e. Shomeron), a city and region of Palestine
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) Σαμάρεια (Samáreia, G4540) — Samaria (i.e. Shomeron), a city and region of Palestine λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… Συχάρ (Sychár, G4965) — Sychar (i.e. Shekar), a place in Palestine πλησίον (plēsíon, G4139) — (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. fellow (as man, countryman, Christian… χωρίον (chōríon, G5564) — a spot or plot of ground ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb, G2384) — Jacob (i.e. Ja`akob), the progenitor of the Israelites δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb, G2384) — Jacob (i.e. Ja`akob), the progenitor of the Israelites πηγή (pēgḗ, G4077) — a fount (literally or figuratively), i.e. source or supply (of water, blood, enjoyment)… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly κοπιάω (kopiáō, G2872) — to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὁδοιπορία (hodoiporía, G3597) — travel καθέζομαι (kathézomai, G2516) — to sit down οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ὡσεί (hōseí, G5616) — as if
Open source ↗ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) Σαμάρεια (Samáreia, G4540) — Samaria (i.e. Shomeron), a city and region of Palestine ἀντλέω (antléō, G501) — to bale up (properly, bilge water), i.e. dip water (with a bucket, pitcher, etc.) ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀγοράζω (agorázō, G59) — properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem τροφή (trophḗ, G5160) — nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife Σαμαρεῖτις (Samareîtis, G4542) — a Samaritess, i.e. woman of Samaria αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah αἰτέω (aitéō, G154) — to ask (in genitive case) πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often…
Open source ↗Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… δωρεά (dōreá, G1431) — a gratuity θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or…
Open source ↗γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἄντλημα (ántlēma, G502) — a baling-vessel καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… φρέαρ (phréar, G5421) — a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e. a… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are βαθύς (bathýs, G901) — profound (as going down), literally or figuratively πόθεν (póthen, G4159) — from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art σύ (sý, G4771) — thou μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb, G2384) — Jacob (i.e. Ja`akob), the progenitor of the Israelites ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us φρέαρ (phréar, G5421) — a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e. a… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote)
Open source ↗Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively διψάω (dipsáō, G1372) — to thirst for (literally or figuratively) πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἄν (án, G302) πίνω (pínō, G4095) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… διψάω (dipsáō, G1372) — to thirst for (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… οὐ μή (ou mḗ, G3364) — a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them and baptized.
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!