LOC – 021 – Jesus Talks to a Samaritan Woman

Lesson Objectives:

Jesus is human. He gets tired and hungry like the rest of us.

Jesus knows your past and still loves you as you are.

True worship of God starts in the heart, not in the actions or location.

There is an important difference between the physical and the spiritual natures of man.

Lesson Commentary

Read Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14a; John 4:1-26

The Jews in Galilee are stout, hearty, and make good soldiers. The Jews around Jerusalem do not consider the Galileans as “intellectual” and, therefore, treat them with contempt. Jesus will focus much of His ministry in Galilee, because the Galilean Jews are more open to listening than the supposed “intellectuals” in Judea. It is only natural that John’s ministry has to close before Jesus can begin to reach out fully with His own teachings. This eliminates any opportunity for rivalry (see last week’s lesson). Jesus will remain in Galilee for about a year and four months. Let’s look at an event that happens while He is on His way to Galilee.

In the last lesson, we saw Jesus baptizing somewhere near the Jordan River. We have no indication as to exactly where, but it is in the Judean region. Matthew, Mark, and Luke indicate that John the Baptist has been arrested, in order to establish the order of events. John referred to this in the previous lesson. At the same time, Jesus learns that the Pharisees are mounting some opposition to His ministry. He decides that He needs to put some space between Himself and those who are going to be His greatest threat, so He leaves Judea for Galilee. Instead of crossing the Jordan River like most Jews and going up the west bank to Galilee, He travels straight through Samaria. During His journey, He stops at Jacob’s Well and has an exposing encounter with a Samaritan woman. Let’s be a bug on her water jar and listen in.

Matthew uses the word “withdrew” to suggest that Jesus is removing Himself from the threat of the Pharisees that is already developing against Him. Mark uses the Greek term for “handed over” to describe John’s arrest as a parallel to Jesus being handed over at the end of His ministry. John the Baptist’s arrest occurs near the end of his first year of ministry. Luke mentions nothing of the arrest of John, but notes that Jesus is led by the “power of the Spirit” to Galilee. Luke will not show Jesus in Jerusalem until the end of His ministry to climax the concept of His rejection by the Jews and open a ministry to the Gentiles. Luke never mentions Jesus’ ministry outside of Galilee so he can emphasize the full impact of this rejection. Matthew states that Jesus does not begin His full ministry until after John has been put in prison. Even though Jesus is teaching, He does not launch into miracles and His full agenda until John has been confined. Up to this time, Jesus’ message is much like John’s, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. Now His ministry will be to set up that actual Kingdom. Matthew is from Galilee. He is less informed of Jesus’ mission until Jesus reaches Capernaum. Mark and Luke likewise show the start of Jesus’ ministry as being in Galilee. A Church has been built over the traditional site of Jacob's well. Photograph courtesy of Jim Fagerskog

Jesus Meets a Woman at Jacob’s Well

Jn. 4:4 – Jesus routes Himself and His closest disciples through Samaria, possibly to avoid the Jews who will be on the other side of the Jordan, and possibly to have this conversation with a Samaritan woman with a past. Since the Jews have such contempt, and prejudice against the Samaritans, most of them cross the Jordan and travel through Perea to get to Galilee. Has your prejudice towards someone else ever caused you to execute some drastic avoidance tactic?

Jn. 4:5 – Sychar, (sometimes misidentified as the Old Testament town of Shechem) is 31 miles north of Jerusalem, and 4 miles southeast of Samaria. It is only a very small village in which everyone knows each other. Thus everyone in the village knows this woman. It is located between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.

Jn. 4:6 – Jacob’s Well is still there to this day about a half-mile south of the site of ancient Sychar. Jesus is tired from a day of travel and no telling what else. This is evidence of Jesus’ true humanity. God limited Himself to the physical limitations of humanity in order to bring humanity to the spiritual freedoms of God. The sixth hour could be 12:00 noon or 6:00 in the evening. (12 noon is more common in Jewish expression. 6:00 p.m. would be the Roman understanding.)

A Discourse Concerning Water

Jn. 4:7 – A Samaritan woman comes to draw water at a time when other women will not be there. This suggests that she is ashamed of her situation, and is not accepted by the other people in her community. As we will soon see, she has a past to be ashamed of. Do you have something in your past that hurts you and that you are ashamed of?

Jn. 4:8 – Jesus has no problem with her race, religion, or reputation. We will see that Jesus does not have any prejudice towards anyone. (He will judge people’s actions, but He loves the people.) He speaks to the Samaritan woman and does so in a manner that causes her to ponder why. For a Jewish man to speak to a woman is simply not done, and to speak to any Samaritan is even worse. Are you living a life that distinguishes between people and their actions? Are you free of prejudice?

Jn. 4:9 – God is not limited to eras or cultures; but why is a Jew speaking to a Samaritan, especially a woman? To be near a Samaritan or use their utensils makes a Jewish person unclean. The Jews hatred is so strong that they are often malicious and violent towards the Samaritans. The prejudice of the Jews towards the Samaritans is not unlike the prejudice seen towards the Jews today. In John 3, Nicodemus approached Jesus. Here, Jesus initiates the dialogue with this woman. Is there anyone that you have trouble witnessing to for Christ? Why?

Jn. 4:10 – Jesus meets her on her ground, physically and morally, and witnesses to her about the news of salvation here and now. God is not restricted to culture or time. He seeks all persons everywhere. The “living water” is also running water; John typically plays upon a double meaning in Greek that cannot be duplicated in English. The woman thinks he is speaking of ordinary “running water” in the well, not the eternal “spiritual water” that comes from God. She is most likely asking herself three questions: (1) Who is this man? (2) What is this gift of God? (3) And what does He mean by this living water?

Jesus appears to be just another poor Jew on His way to somewhere, however, when He speaks, He is far from any average Jew. He has a perception and knowledge beyond any other man. This captures her attention and allows Him to minister to her deepest need. Indeed, if she had any idea who He is, she would have been asking Him for that which only He can give. In order to receive from Christ, we must first ask Him for what we need.

Jn. 4:11 – The Greek word is a root or form of the word for “Lord”. The Samaritan woman’s response is somewhat indignant. Just whom does Jesus think He is talking to her at all and asking for a drink? Is He going to make cruel remarks if she responds to His request? Is He going to shame her? Just like Nicodemus, she is thinking on physical terms. Jesus is speaking to her on spiritual terms. It is so hard for us physical beings to comprehend God’s spiritual Kingdom. According to archeologists, Jacob’s Well is one of the deepest wells in Israel. How many things are we misunderstanding about God’s word because we are thinking in physical terms when God is speaking in Spiritual terms? How can we tell the difference?

Jn. 4:12 – The Samaritan woman asks Jesus a question in the expectation of a negative answer from Him. Samaritans are one half Jew and claim their Jewish ancestry and religion even though it has become corrupted through intermarriage with other nations. This is a common issue of dispute between Jews and Samaritans. Maybe Jesus can clear it up, or maybe it is a diversionary tactic!

A Discourse about God’s Living Water

Jn. 4:13 – Jesus tells her that physical things cannot satisfy the spiritual needs of man. We will get thirsty again and again. Physical is only for a season. Eternal is forever! Getting caught up in pursuit of any earthly pleasures will satisfy only for a moment. Are you still trying to find happiness in the acquisition and possession of things?

Jn. 4:14 – It takes spiritual water to satisfy for eternity. The “water” Jesus gives provides a continual and lasting satisfaction. It also becomes a spring of water within the individual giving life for eternity. Those who drink His water will never be thirsty again. You can only get this water by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Jn. 4:15 – The Samaritan woman still doesn’t understand the spiritual implications of the “living water,” but she knows that it is something she wants. Not having to go to the well to draw water and carry it all the way back to town is something she would like to be able to do. How many people today are thinking in terms of physical instead of spiritual about matters regarding God?

Jn. 4:16 – Now Jesus confronts her with her most serious problem: her own sinful past. He confronts her with a statement to prove that He knows her and everything about her past. Most people living in immorality desire to be free from their life style, but they don’t know how to find what they are seeking outside of their sin.

Jn. 4:17 – She tries to cover herself by saying that she has no husband, but Jesus knows the truth. In trying to skirt the subject, she is confronted with the fact of her sin and the need of a Savior. Jesus does not crowd the matter. He is not trying to condemn her, but wants to acquaint her with the fact that she needs a Savior. He touches on it and allows her conscience to fill in the details. It is often easier to confront another of their sin when done gently, than to harshly force their guilt on them. How often do we try to escape the blame and guilt of our wrongs instead of confessing it and repenting? Jesus knows your past too. Have you accepted His love for you and allowed His forgiveness to free you from the guilt and shame?

Jn. 4:18 – Jesus is not subtle in pointing out this woman’s sin. In order for one to be healed of their sin, they must first acknowledge the fact of its presence. Jesus commends the truth of the woman’s confession, but makes her aware that He knows she isn’t telling the full truth. We should never believe that we can really conceal the truth to those around us. Only honesty and integrity, even in admitting wrong, will lead us to the grace of God. Do you have a sin that you need to confess so you can be freed from its hold on your life?

A Discourse Concerning the Place of Worship

Jn. 4:19 – Jesus is much more than just a prophet, but this will suffice for the moment. Instead of confessing her sin and repenting, she tries to change the subject. She pulls out a common area of dispute between the Jews and the Samaritans to get the focus off of her. For some time, the Samaritans taught that the one place of divinely ordered worship is on top of nearby Mount Gerizim, whereas the Jews say it is on the temple mount in Jerusalem. Maybe she can get some of the guilt off her sin if she gets Jesus on to another subject, one of considerable dispute between Jews and Samaritans. If she gets Him engaged in serious arguing, she won’t have to confess and deal with her past. What do you do when someone else is confronting you with a sin issue in your life?

Jn. 4:20 – This “mountain” is Mount Gerizim on the south at 2,850 ft. above sea level, where the Samaritan temple had been located until its destruction by John Hyrcanus (128 B.C.). The Samaritans continue to worship there even after their temple has been destroyed. Jesus has confronted this woman with her sin, yet He does it in such a gentle way that she desires to know more of what He has to offer. If He had been less gentle, she would have left with hurt feelings and in a huff and not have been open to the opportunity for salvation.

Jn. 4:21 – Jesus is not deterred by her attempt to change the subject by opening a sore spot between Samaritans and Jews. He speaks with true authority. The time is coming when Jesus will die on the cross and when true worshippers will be those who worship God from their hearts, not from a structured set of rules and rituals imposed upon them by someone else. What traditions and rituals in your church need to be reexamined to see if they are helping you worship Christ or merely go through a ritual?

Jn. 4:22 – Salvation, at that time, was only through the law and the Temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritans were confused and in error. Their religion had become so corrupted that it bore little resemblance to Mosaical law and worship. Salvation is from the Jews, not just for the Jews. Jesus, the only source of salvation, is a Jew.

Jn. 4:23 – True worship starts in the inner man and is expressed in outward action. In fact outward actions do not always reflect the true inner person. Sometimes these actions are merely a facade. Sometimes they are limited to a building, person, or institution. God is seeking you and I to worship Him because we love Him and not because someone told us to do this or do that. The worshipper determines and initiates such worship in his heart. He does not depend on, or follow after, someone else.

Jn. 4:24 – God wants worship from spiritual beings, the inner man. God is Spirit. The only way to worship Him is through Jesus who is the Spirit Being become Man. This spiritual worship is expressed in physical actions, but it is more an attitude of the heart, mind, and soul than it is of the outward actions. (A person can go through the same actions and have no spiritual feelings at all.) It is hard for us, who are physical, to comprehend and relate to that which is spiritual.

Discourse Concerning the Messiah

Jn. 4:25 – The Samaritan Woman now has a change of tone. She is indirectly asking, “Are you the Messiah?” This time she seems more expectant of a positive answer. The Samaritans are expecting a Messiah from the line of Moses, not the line of David. The woman is beginning to catch on to what Jesus has been revealing to her.

Jn. 4:26 – Jesus answers her directly. He does not veil His deity like He does when with the other Jews. He is the Christ! Jesus never claims to be less than deity. Jesus is the Messiah that the whole world is looking for! He will often allude to it through figures of speech and parables, but He never denies it.

Meanwhile, read John 4:27-42.

“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

LOC – 021 JESUS TALKS TO A SAMARITAN WOMAN

How to Confront Someone With a Past

Occasionally you encounter someone who has a past. They have garnered a reputation for some kind of behavior that makes them a social outcast.

Jesus’ ministry is now in full swing. He is preaching, doing miracles, etc. In John 4:1-26 and parallel passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus is traveling to Galilee. There is starting to be some opposition to Him from the Pharisees in Judea and it is way too early to die for man’s sins. After all, He has to train some people to establish His Kingdom after He is gone!

Know When to Retreat (Leave) – Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14a; John 4:1-4

Matthew says Jesus “withdrew” suggesting a removal from those who are already showing hostility. Sometimes the best way to handle a situation is get away from the troublemakers! Luke notes Jesus is “led by the Spirit”. There are times when the Holy Spirit will lead us to confront and times when he will lead us to break off contact with opponents. (Luke will never show Jesus in Jerusalem until the end of His ministry to emphasize the rejection by the Jews and ministry to the Gentiles!)

Therefore, Jesus goes to Galilee via Samaria. Most Jews go down the Jericho Road and cross the Jordan River rather than go through Samaria. Jews are known for their strong hatred of Samaritans – half-Jew and half Gentile. Jesus doesn’t have a problem with another person’s race, gender or place in life!

Engage in a Conversation - John 4:5-9

Like you and me, Jesus gets tired and thirsty along the way to Galilee and stops at Jacob’s Well just outside the village of Sychar, 31 miles north of Jerusalem. While resting, He sends the Apostles into town to get some food.(6^th hour is 12:00 noon or 6:00 PM)

While they are gone, a Samaritan woman comes to the well to draw some water and Jesus engages her in a conversation. Lets listen in and see if there is anything here that applies to our life.

Sandwich the Truth with Love – John 4:10-18

Jesus begins the conversation by talking about the obvious – a need for water to survive. When witnessing to others, it is best to initiate on common ground and build some rapport.

This woman will feel very uneasy approaching a well with a Jewish man sitting beside it, but she swallows hard and proceeds so she can get her water, pretending that there is nothing to worry about. She comes to the well during the day to avoid the women from town who look down on her living in adultery! Are you hiding something in your past that you are ashamed for others to know about? Jesus knows all about it and He still loves you as you are!

She initially reacts with some alarm that He, a Jew, would even speak to her. Men seldom would engage in a conversation with a woman and a Jew would never talk to a Samaritan, especially a woman. Women were treated more like possessions than persons and she already has a past that makes her feel very ashamed.

Jesus doesn’t judge a person by their race, sex, status in life, or even their past. However, He does confront sinners with their behavior and exposes their need for repentance and a Savior.

Jesus takes the current circumstances and builds into a conversation that will establish Him as someone with whom this woman would want to identify. He gets her attention by asking her for a drink and then proposing that He is someone whom she should be asking for living water.

Jesus has initially gained her attention and makes her an offer of living water. She is tired of having to walk out to the well and draw water. No plumbing or public home delivered water supply!

Jesus has now gained this woman’s full attention. It is time to expose her need for salvation! He doesn’t judge or condemn her, but he will confront her with her sinful behavior and the need to change her life! She first tries to avoid her shame, but Jesus exposes that He knows the truth. She has been married five times and is now living with a man outside of the laws of marriage. Adultery and living together outside of marriage is sin!

Point the Way of Forgiveness and Healing – John 4:19-26

The Samaritan woman first marvels that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan woman and that He claims to have some kind of water that she would never thirst again. Then, after He confronts her with her sin, she turns theological and engages Jesus about where is the correct place to worship. She tries to soften her guilt and shame by talking about something else to draw Jesus off of her sin.

She challenges Jesus on the Jewish belief that Jerusalem is the proper place to worship God. Samaritans worship on nearby Mt. Gerizim. Jesus replies that God is not worshiped in a place, but in the heart of the one who loves Him and wants to worship Him.

CONCLUSION

The woman acknowledges the Samaritan expectation of the Messiah. Jesus declares that He is the Messiah! WOW!Is He Your Messiah?

Next week: Miraculous news hits Sychar. A great awakening revival occurs among “the outcasts”.