1. Visit with the woman at the well (4:1-26)

The first several verses set the stage for the conversation at the well in Sychar. Jesus was moving from Judea to Galilee (v.3) because the Pharisees had learned of his success in winning and baptizing (cf. 3:22, 26) disciples (4:1, but cf. v.2). For the journey, he chose the route usually followed by travelers between Judea and Galilee, which went west of the Jordan through the region of Samaria (v.4). Perhaps by the words had to the author intended the reader to understand that divine compulsion was involved. Jesus' path led him through the village of Sychar (probably modern Askar), close to land purchased by Jacob and apparently given by him to Joseph (v.5; seemingly the reference is to Ge 48:21-22; cf. 33:18-19 and Jos 24:32). Jacob’s well, where he rested at about noon (v.6), is identified by ancient tradition but is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture.

The Samaritan woman was not a controversialist determined to argue with anything Jesus might have said. Rather, she was a person who, despite initial misapprehension of who he was, followed his explanations all the way to acceptance of him as Christ. In that regard, she is in John a paradigm of faith.

A dialogue ensued, with the woman expressing surprise (v.9) that Jesus had asked her for a drink (v.7). Jews in the first century thought it unseemly for a rabbi to talk to a woman (cf. v.27). Furthermore, there was a history of tension between Jews and Samaritans. Because Jews could never be certain that Samaritans had properly observed the purity laws, they would not use vessels in common with them. (The final clause in v.9 should be translated “Jews do not share [utensils] with Samaritans”; with the translation Jews do not associate with Samaritans, contrast v.8.) The situation demanded clarification, and that was given in the ensuing conversation (vv.10-15), which develops the theme of water (cf. 3:5; 7:37-39; 19:34).

In response to her surprise that he should ask her for a drink, Jesus offered the woman living water (v.10). He was speaking of water that gives eternal life, but she understood him to be offering running water, which would have made him greater even than Jacob, who provided a well, not a spring, and she was incredulous (vv.11-12). Of course, the author knows that Jesus was greater than Jacob, but not in the way she thought. Jesus then stated the issue plainly (vv.13-14), but the woman still misunderstood (v.15). One is reminded of the familiar words of Charles Wesley:

Thou of life the fountain art,

Freely let me take of Thee;

Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity.

(“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)

Jesus' change of subject (v.16) led to the revelations that the woman was at present unmarried and that Jesus knew about her marital history (vv.17-18). Impressed at his prophetic knowledge, she raised the main question that divided Jews and Samaritans, whether Jerusalem or Mount Gerazim was the right place to worship God (vv.19-20). Once again Jesus deepened the discussion (vv.21-24). If it were simply a matter of deciding between Jewish and Samaritan worship, the Jewish way is right. But even that is being superseded by a spiritual manner of worship in which God and humanity find their true union in Jesus, who is the Truth (cf. 14:6). After this, there was only one thing left to say: Jesus is the Christ. The woman guessed it (v.25), and Jesus acknowledged it (v.26).