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John Chapter Four

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Son of God the Savior ---- the Provision of Men’s life

A. He revealed that He is the living water the woman of Samaria (v.1-14)

 B. The way of drawing the living water:

 1. To confess one’s sin (v.15-18)

 2. To worship God in spirit and truth (v. 19-24)

 3. To believe Jesus is Christ (v. 25-26)

C. The result of enjoying the living water:

1. To bear the living witness (v.27-30)

2. To please the Lord (v.31-34)

3. To make that both he who sows and he who reaps rejoice together (v.35-38)

4. To provide the word of the Lord for more people (v.39-42)

D. Life in the word of the Lord healed the one who believed (v.43-54)

        

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

John. 4:1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John

YLT: “When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus more disciples doth make and baptize than John ”

Literal Meaning: the Pharisees had heard” it was apparently that the Jewish leaders paid high attention to the activities of the Lord Jesus just as they observed John the Baptist before (see 1:24).

 

John. 4:2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize but His disciples)

YLT: “(though indeed Jesus himself was not baptizing but his disciples )”

Meaning of Words: though”: and yet indeed nevertheless;

Literal Meaning: probably the Lord Jesus preached the significance of the baptism of repentance and then His disciples baptized those who had repented. Just like the Apostle Paul who preached the gospels but seldom baptized others (see 1Cor 1:14-17).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) What a man “has heard” is usually not the fact so we shall not rashly trust in any men’s word.

     2) The Lord baptizes with Holy Spirit and fire instead of water (Matt 3:11).

 

John. 4:3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.

YLT: “he left Judea and went away again to Galilee

Literal Meaning: He left Judea” there were possibly two reasons of the Lord’s leaving Judea: (1) to avoid intensifying the Pharisees’ hostility (v.1) for His hour had not yet come (see 7:6); (2) to avoid the friction between His disciples and John the Baptist’s disciples (see 3:26).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord Jesus left Judea for His success not failure. It is just when a Lord’s minister has accomplished his work in a certain place that the Lord may call him to leave.

     2) When we do the work of the Lord we shall sometimes decide our whereabouts by taking the environmental factors into consideration.

     3) He who is spiritual should discern the hidden facts (v.1) so that he can take preventive measures and escape the unnecessary dispute resolutely.

     4) When the Jews rejected the Lord the Galileans obtained the grace of salvation. Likewise when the Israel rejected the Lord the grace was switched to the nations (see Act 13:46; Rom 11:11)

     5) The previous chapter unveils the spirit of John the Baptist ---- he gave all the glory of fulfillments to the Lord and then his joy was fulfilled (see 3:26-30). This chapter unveils the spirit of the Lord Jesus ---- He did not esteem his accomplished works but showed His humbleness and modesty in the withdrawal (v.1-3).

 

John. 4:4 But He needed to go through Samaria.

YLT: “and it was behoving him to go through Samaria.”

Meaning of Words: need”: ought should;

The Background: from Judea to Galilee the Jews usually made a detour around the east side of the Jordan through Berea to avoid passing by Samaria. But if one went directly to Jerusalem by way of Samaria and moved on northward it would be closer and be a shortcut.

Literal Meaning:But He needed to go through Samaria.” ---- He needed to go through Samaria for the commission of saving the souls in Samaria (see v.13-15 39-42) but not for the geographic factor.

Enlightenment in the Word: the whereabouts of the Lord’s workers should be determined by the inside spiritual burdens.

 

John. 4:5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

YLT: “He cometh therefore to a city of Samaria called Sychar near to the place that Jacob gave to Joseph his son;”

Meaning of Words: near”: close by

Literal Meaning: Sychar” may refer to a small village in the east of the city Shechem (see Gen33:18-19) and it lied in the valley between the mount Gerizim and Ebal.

“Near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph” Jacob had bought a portion of the field outside of the city Shechem (see Gen 33:19) but apparently the field was given to Joseph later (see Gen 48:22; Josh 24:32).

 

John. 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied from His journey sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

YLT: “and there was there a well of Jacob. Jesus therefore having been weary from the journeying was sitting thus on the well; it was as it were the sixth hour;”

Meaning of Words: “well”: fountain; “being wearied”: to feel fatigue toil; “the sixth hour”: it was recorded according to the Roman measure of time. And it equaled to 12 o'clock at noon according to the Jewish measure of time.

Literal Meaning: Now Jacob's well was there.” ---- The Scripture particularly recorded the matter of digging well of both Abraham and Isaac but it never mentioned Jacob dug any well. It is traditionally believed that Jacob’s well lied in the foot of mount Ebal which was exactly located in the must way from Jerusalem to Galilee northward.

    Jesus therefore being wearied from His journey” the Lord Jesus may feel wearied (see Heb 2:18; 4:15) in his humanity.

Spiritual Meaning: Jesus therefore being wearied from His journey sat thus by the well.” ---- It typifies that according to the will of God the Lord Jesus was eager to save more souls no matter how wearied He was.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Even though the Lord Jesus is the Son of God he could still feel wearied and fatigue and sat thus by the well when he walked on the earth. Therefore only the Lord Jesus can sympathize with and comfort us when we feel wearied in the way of our life for he had experienced all (see Heb 4:15).

     2) When we feel weary and faint of our minds we should look upon the Lord (see Heb 12:2-3).

 

John. 4:7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her "Give Me a drink."

YLT: “there cometh a woman out of Samaria to draw water. Jesus saith to her `Give me to drink;'”

Literal Meaning: A woman of Samaria came to draw water.It was 12 o'clock at noon according to the Jewish measure of time and was very hot. Generally people there drew water at dusk but this woman came to draw water singly. Probably she felt herself unworthy of other's company because of her immorality (v.18). And it was also likely that she was despised by others and no one was willing to associate with her.

Spiritual Meaning: Jesus said to her "Give Me a drink. "” ---- It showed that Christ was earnest and pressed to save sinners.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) When the woman of Samaria came to draw water she was thirsty. When the Lord Jesus asked her a drink He was thirsty too. The souls on earth are thirsty and unfulfilled for they have not received the Savior and the Spirit in the heaven is still thirsty and unfulfilled for the sinners have not been redeemed.

     2) “Give Me a drink.” ---- Through the request the Lord Jesus revealed to the woman that He had “the living water” (see v.10). It is just when we ask for the Lord that he is going to grant us blessings.

 

John. 4:8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

YLT: “for his disciples were gone away to the city that they may buy victuals;”

Literal Meaning: according to the Jewish measure of time it was noon of lunch time. But it was supper time according to the Roman measure of time.

 

John. 4:9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him "How is it that You being a Jew ask a drink from me a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

YLT: “the Samaritan woman therefore saith to him `How dost thou being a Jew ask drink from me being a Samaritan woman?' for Jews have no dealing with Samaritans.”

Meaning of Words: “have dealings with”: together-use have something to do with;

The Background: Samaria was a major city of the north kingdom of Israel in the period of the Old Testament and was also the capital (see 1King 16:24 29). Before 700 BC approximately after the Assyrian conquered the north kingdom of Israel most of the Jews moved to the nations. Meanwhile the king of Assyria brought people from the nations and made them dwell in the cities of Samaria (see 2King 17:6 24). From then on people in Samaria became hybrids of the Jews and other races whose offspring are Samaritans. History showed that they had the Pentateuch according to which they worshipped God but the Jews had never confessed that Samaritans were of the Jews.

 Literal Meaning: “Have no dealings with”: “not use vessels together” ---- Jews generally believed that all the Samaritans were unclean so the vessels used by them were unclean too.

  The Jews did not entirely “have no dealings with Samaritans” for the disciples of the Lord went away into the city to buy food (v.8) which had actually proved that they had already had dealings with each other to a certain degree.

 

John. 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her "If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you "Give Me a drink ' you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water."

YLT: “Jesus answered and said to her `If thou hadst known the gift of God and who it is who is saying to thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked him and he would have given thee living water.'”

Meaning of Words: “gift”: gratuity; “living”: alive quick

Literal Meaning: the gift of God” in Greek the word “gift” specially refers to the grace bestowed by God which is not employed to denote men’s gift.

“And who it is who says to you” “and” may be interpreted as the epexegetically structure (see 3:5) which means “just is”. The whole sentence is that “the gift of God is who it is who says to you "Give Me a drink "” suggesting that He is the gift of God.

“And He would have given you living water” “living water” means the water springing out of a fountain.

Spiritual Meaning: “living water” typifies that Christ who is our life (see Col 3:4) will meet every need of men. He is fresh forever and always provides living water to the thirsty men.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Christ the most precious gift of God is the gift of gifts and the origin of all gifts.

     2) Nothing will satisfy a man except Christ. If Christ is not the satisfaction of a man then nothing will satisfy him. There will be no satisfaction without Christ.

     3) “If you knew the gift of Godyou would have asked Him” men have not obtained the gift of God is mostly on account of his “unknown” ---- he does not know the gift of God at all.

     4) It is true that God has abundant grace yet men will still not enjoy the grace if they do not “ask Him”. To ask is a prerequisite of experiencing the grace of God.

     5) God is willing to bestow grace to those who ask Him. Sometimes and it shall come to pass that before men call God will answer (see Is 65:24).

 

John. 4:11 The woman said to Him "Sir You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?

YLT: “The woman saith to him `Sir thou hast not even a vessel to draw with and the well is deep; whence then hast thou the living water?”

Meaning of Words: something to draw with water”: bucket

Spiritual Meaning: “something to draw with water” it symbolizes the way of seeking the joy of life.

    “The well is deep” it symbolizes that the life of men is too tough to find joy.

 

John. 4:12 Are You greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well and drank from it himself as well as his sons and his livestock?"

YLT: “Art thou greater than our father Jacob who did give us the well and himself out of it did drink and his sons and his cattle?'”

Meaning of Words: “livestock”: cattle;

Literal Meaning: our father Jacob” even though Samaritans were hybrids of the Jews and other races they still believed that they were offspring of Joseph (v.5).

Spiritual Meaning: our father Jacob gave us the well” symbolizes the traditional religion and culture accumulated and left by our fathers through which we can deal with many problems in our life.

Enlightenment in the Word: this verse reveals a principle that we should get rid of the traditional conceptions so that we can obtain the full provision of Him.

 

John. 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again

YLT: “Jesus answered and said to her `Every one who is drinking of this water shall thirst again;”

Spiritual Meaning: Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again” “this water” symbolizes the physical enjoyment and earthly entertainment which can not quench the deep thirst of a man. No matter how much material or secular “water” one drinks he must be thirsty again. The more one drinks such “water” the thirstier one will be.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Even though one can obtain some satisfaction in his flesh and happiness in his soul from the secular things it never quenches his deep thirst in his spirit.

     2) If a man has no hope he will never lose his hope. If Christians had realized the earthly water could not relieve one’s thirst there would be no sense of thirst or despair.

     3) All those who are desirous of earning the prosperity reputation glory and wealth in this world will be hard to avoid suffering from thirsty all the time. If we do not hope to receive help comfort or support from the world we will never be thirsty.

 

John. 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

YLT: “but whoever may drink of the water that I will give him may not thirst -- to the age; and the water that I will give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to life age-during.'”

Meaning of Words: “springing up into”: jump gush;

Literal Meaning: become in him a fountain of water” “fountain”: well (in the original). But this well is different from that well (v.6): the former in this chapter (v.6) is physical and of the soul and the latter (v.14) is spiritual. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Yes the Lord Jesus is the true joy of our life: the water bestowed by Him becomes a fountain of water springing up thus making our life joyful.

     2) “Springing up into everlasting life” “everlasting life” is objective and abstract but the “springing up” of the water of life is subjective and personal. Christians come to know and experience this life in accordance with the enjoyment of God’s life.

     3) Happiness on earth is limited and cannot satisfy men truly. But blessings from Christ not only satisfy men even that a man is too limited to enjoy the whole blessings of Him.

     4) Happiness on earth lasts only limited number of years but joy granted by Christ remains forever.

    

John. 4:15 The woman said to Him "Sir give me this water that I may not thirst nor come here to draw."

YLT: “The woman saith unto him `Sir give me this water that I may not thirst nor come hither to draw.'”

Literal Meaning: the woman began to be interested in “living water”.

 

John. 4:16 Jesus said to her "Go call your husband and come here."

YLT: “Jesus saith to her `Go call thy husband and come hither;'”

Spiritual Meaning: when the woman of Samaria asked the Lord Jesus for living water (v.15) the Lord however mentioned her “husband” ---- which typifies his immoral and sinful history. It indicates that if a man wants to obtain living water he should firstly deal with his sin.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Everyone (including the sinner) can imbibe both the material and soulish water but if a man wants to drink the spiritual living water he must do with the sin (and ask your spouse also).

     2) “Husband” also typifies “the law” (see Rom 7:1-4). If a man wants to enjoy the Holy Spirit (the living water granted by the Lord) he should submit to the light of the law know his sin (see Rom 3:20) and confess his sins.

     3) One should confess that he is a sinner and repent to the Lord sincerely and then he will be truly saved. When we preach the gospels to others and save one’s spirit we should not avoid mentioning the matter of sin.

     4) Every time we pray to the Lord He also points our sins in his enlightenment which indicates that we must do with our sin (see Ps 66:18) if we want our prayers answered. Besides it tells us that to have fellowship with the Lord is a good way to be conscious of and deal with the sin.

     5) God is the eternal husband (see Is 54:5) of men and the eternal reliance. Anyone who wants to be separated from God he will never be satisfied.

 

John. 4:17 The woman answered and said "I have no husband." Jesus said to her "You have well said "I have no husband '

YLT:the woman answered and said `I have not a husband.' Jesus saith to her `Well didst thou say -- A husband I have not;

Enlightenment in the Word: men often speak out a part of the fact and hide the majority of the fact so men’s true words are sometimes another form of lies.

 

John. 4:18 for you have had five husbands and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."

YLT: “for five husbands thou hast had and now he whom thou hast is not thy husband; this hast thou said truly.'”

Literal Meaning: for you have had five husbands” the Jews believed that a woman could divorce her husband twice i.e. she could marry third times at least. So if it was the same custom in Samaria this woman would appear to be of exceeding immorality. 

   “And the one whom you now have is not your husband” it means that she was cohabiting with a man without legally marrying.

Spiritual Meaning: “husband” typifies the earthly reliance and joy.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Whoever is satisfied by and trusts in things outside Christ ---- “husbands” who must be uncertain and be frequently changed ---- “five” will definitely unfulfilled and has no reliance ---- “the one whom you now have is not your husband”. Since Christ is our only bridegroom and only husband (see 3:29; Eph 5:31-32) we should trust in Him only and will be rejoiced forever ---- “will never thirst (see v.14)”.

     2) No matter what sin one hides it is still naked and laid bare before the Lord for He is the one who searches reins and hearts (see Rev 2:23).

 

John. 4:19 The woman said to Him "Sir I perceive that You are a prophet.

YLT: “The woman saith to him `Sir I perceive that thou art a prophet;”

Literal Meaning: the woman found that the Lord Jesus had superior insight (see 1:49).

 

John. 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."

YLT: “our fathers in this mountain did worship and ye -- ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where it behoveth to worship.'”

The Background: the Samaritans believed that the mount Gerizim was a very sacred place. Abraham and Jacob had been there and built alters around there (see Gen 12:7; 33:20) and the people of Israel had obtained blessings on this mountain (see Deut 11:29; 27:12).

Literal Meaning: “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain” “this mountain” refers to the mount Gerizim. The Samaritans had built the temple of themselves on the mount Gerizim.

    This immoral woman of Samaria may feel embarrassed when the Lord disclosed her sinful history so she tried to distract the Lord’s attention to the matter of worshiping God. It was ironical that even a sinner spoke and argued about also the hypocritically religious knowledge.

Spiritual Meaning: the way of worship in Samaria typifies all the false religion throughout the world. It has been divorced from the right origin and has been totally twisted thus turning to be the religion filled with men’s teachings and superstitions.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) All the heathen religions in the world today are unexceptionally worshipping gods by the way inherited from the fathers ---- they are false but hypocritical religions.

     2) If a man pretends only a form of godliness and talks with others about things of God but lives a sinful and random life he will be actually a religionist who does not fear God at all.

 

John. 4:21 Jesus said to her "Woman believe Me the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem worship the Father.

YLT: “Jesus saith to her `Woman believe me that there doth come an hour when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem shall ye worship the Father;”

Literal Meaning: the hour is coming” “the hour” refers to the age of the New Testament. “The hour is coming” indicates that a new age is coming and men shall take part in it through believing (v.23).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Instead of avoiding the topic of that woman the Lord contrarily tell her more spiritual truth after her topic. When we preach the good tidings to others we should know how to provide wise feedbacks and turn their attentions back to the truth.

2) True worship is not focused on places ---- neither on this stray mountain nor in the Orthodox Jerusalem. Instead the reality of Christ in one’s spirit should be paid attention to ---- “to worship the Father in spirit and truth (v.23)”.

 

John. 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews.

YLT: “ye worship what ye have not known; we worship what we have known because the salvation is of the Jews;”

Literal Meaning: You worship what you do not know” the Samaritans have only the Pentateuch. They worshipped the true God but they did not receive most of the revelations of God so that they only knew God superficially.

    “Salvation is of the Jews.” ---- The Jews who were God's elect were entrusted the oracles of God (see Rom 3:2) and of whom as according to flesh the Christ (see Rom 9:5). Besides the Jews were the ones who first began to preach the glad tidings.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “You worship what you do not know” it is an exact commentary of all religions in the world for men always worship God according to their natural thoughts and ideas rather than the revelations of God.

2) We should not please others and not be afraid of offending others and otherwise it would be rather hard to save them. We should learn from the Lord Jesus to speak frankly but truly.

 

 

John. 4:23 But the hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

YLT: “but there cometh an hour and it now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father also doth seek such to worship him;”

Meaning of Words: truth”: verity;

The Background: in the Old Testament God commended the Israel when they worshipped God that: (1) they should be in the place which God will choose to dwell there (see Deut12:5 11 13-14 18) i.e. Jerusalem. (2) They should bring their sacrifices (see Lev1-6).

Literal Meaning: “to worship the Father in spirit and truth” men at that time focused on the appearance and form of worship disputing the matter of locations and sacrifices but overlooking the reality of the true worship. Therefore here the Lord Jesus mentioned “spirit” which was opposite to the “place” of worship and mentioned “truth” which was opposite to the “sacrifices” of worship showing that “spirit” was the reality of worshiping and “place” and “truth” was the reality of worshiping “sacrifice”.

    “The Father is seeking such to worship Him.” ---- God is seeking “such men” so there is perhaps only a few numbers of men who worships in such a way.

Spiritual Meaning: the place which God will choose to dwell there typifies the spirit of men i.e. the habitation of God today (see Eph 2:22). The sacrifices typify the Christ who is the fulfillment and reality of the sacrifices which are used to worship God. Therefore the Lord taught that woman to worship in spirit and truth which meant that she could commune with God in her spirit rather than in a fixed place and through Christ instead of sacrifices. For Christ the reality has come (v.25-26) all the shadows and typifications have passed away.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the age of grace all of the locations sacrifices ordinances and ceremonies are insignificant for one shall worship God only in spirit and truth.

2) The true matter of worship depends on whether they have the reality of worship and has nothing to do with the worshiping place.

3) Worship a matter of spirit and individuals should be devoted to God in the Holy Spirit.

4) The prerequisite of true worship according to the definition is the inside reality and the verity of one’s heart. A worshiper may prostrate himself in worship but he is not in spirit and not before God.

5) A worshiper should not have the single form but lacks the reality inside. Conditions of the outside should agree with that of the inside and the acts should agree with the heart.

6) Where to worship is a matter of controversy which belongs to the sphere of tree of knowledge (see 8:3-5; 9:2-3). We should switch to the spirit which belongs to the tree of life (see Gen 2:9 17).

 

John. 4:24 God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

YLT: “God a Spirit and those worshipping Him in spirit and truth it doth behove to worship.'”

Meaning of Words: truth”: verity;

Literal Meaning: God is Spirit” “spirit” the first word of this sentence in the original is an emphatic word. Spirit is the reality of the nature of God. The word of “spirit” indicates that God cannot be restricted by time and space.

    “Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ---- The nature of God is spirit. To worship God who is spirit one should worship Him in the spirit.

    “Truth” here refers to the fact that the divine reality has become the reality and verity (which is opposite to the hypocrisy of the woman of Samaria see v.16-18) of men and thus men can worship God in truth. The divine reality is Christ who is the truth (see 14:6) and is the reality of the sacrifices used to worship God in the Old Testament (see 1:29; 3:14). Besides Christ the fountain of living water (the Spirit of life) (v.7-15) grants us great enjoyment and abundant drinking and makes Him our reality in us thus becoming our truth and verity. Then we will worship God with the worship that he seeks.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) For God is Spirit we should worship Him in spirit. Emotional impulse and natural fervency are of no status. For God is truth and loves truth we should worship Him in truth. Prayers like essays and worship in the disharmony of mind and tongue are of none value.

2) We have to use our mind and emotions to know others when we associate with others and we have to use our spirit to know God and commune with Him.

3) Many people want to search God and analyze God with their mind and thoughts and yet they consequently obtain nothing from God and know nothing about God since they have used the wrong faculty.

 

John. 4:25 The woman said to Him "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ).When He comes He will tell us all things."

YLT: “The woman saith to him `I have known that Messiah doth come who is called Christ when that one may come he will tell us all things;'”

Literal Meaning: “the woman said to Him this was the last time that she tried to avoid the matter. She wondered the right worshiping place and thought it could not be dealt with common people and only when Messiah came He would tell them all things.

Messiah is who is called Christ” “Messiah” is Hebrew which means “the anointed”. “Christ” in Greek is the synonym of “Messiah” in Hebrew.

 

John. 4:26 Jesus said to her "I who speak to you am He."

YLT: “Jesus saith to her `I am who am speaking to thee.'”

Literal Meaning: by these words the Lord Jesus brought her to believe He was the Christ thus enabling her to obtain the eternal life (see 20:31) and she believed (v.29).

 

John. 4:27 And at this point His disciples came and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said "What do You seek?" or "Why are You talking with her?"

YLT: “And upon this came his disciples and were wondering that with a woman he was speaking no one however said `What seekest thou?' or `Why speakest thou with her?'”

Meaning of Words: marvel”: wonder admire;

Literal Meaning: they marveled that He talked with a woman”: according to the Jewish customs then the rabbis tried to avoid speaking before women in public. “Speak” is the past imperfect tense in the original.

"What do You seek?" ---- It was perhaps a question to that woman.

"Why are You talking with her?" ---- It was certainly a question to the Lord Jesus.

 

John. 4:28 The woman then left her water-pot went her way into the city and said to the men

YLT: “The woman then left her water-jug and went away to the city and saith to the men ”

Literal Meaning: “the woman then left her water-pot “water-pot” was her tool of living so the action of “leaving the water-pot” indicated that the prior order of her life had changed.

Spiritual Meaning: “water-pot” typifies the tool of men to seek the joy of life.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All those who obtain joy by drinking the living water will leave things (left the water-pot) that entangled them before and bear witness of the living water.

2) The woman of Samaria drew water in the burning sun (see v.6-7) for she dared to be seen by others. But she no longer escaped when she was saved and “went her way into the city and said to the men”. Salvation will bring a man a thorough change.

3) Hudson Taylor: “Many people attempted to be apostles but I’d rather to be the descendant of the woman of Samaria for when the apostles went to buy food she was so eager to save the souls that she even forgot her water-pot.”

 

John. 4:29 "Come see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

YLT: “`Come see a man who told me all things -- as many as I did; is this the Christ?'”

Literal Meaning: Could this be the Christ?” ---- In the original it was an uncertain question which carried a half believing tone. She did not believe perfectly but this basic idea made the Spirit work further in her. And finally she was brought to believe that Jesus is the Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Many Christians at the very outset had seemingly believed the Lord but lacked complete assurance but they were willing to open their hearts and finally believed the Lord assuredly.

2) This woman did not even hide her shameful deeds before and made her disgraceful life known to public which suggested that the one who had truly repented would be strongly willing to bear witness of the Lord. However if one is unwilling to bear witness of the Lord he had perhaps not repented truly.

3) To bear witness of the Lord is to bear witness of both the past and present experience of oneself (all things that I ever did) ---- this is the powerful impact of one’s witness.

4) It is quite a good way to preach the gospel by first raising a question of “Christ” and then directing people to the correct answer.

5) There are two conditions of bearing testimony to men: (1) have seen one’s sin; (2) have seen the glory of Christ. One could bear none testimonies if he has not seen the two points above.

 

John. 4:30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

YLT: “They went forth therefore out of the city and were coming unto him.”

Enlightenment in the Word: sometimes we sigh and worry that there are no objects to preach the glad tidings and that no one is interested in the glad tidings. Actually if Christ has been perfectly testified by us He will draw others unto Him.

 

John. 4:31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him saying "Rabbi eat."

YLT: “And in the meanwhile his disciples were asking him saying `Rabbi eat;'”

 

John. 4:32 But He said to them "I have food to eat of which you do not know."

YLT: “and he said to them `I have food to eat that ye have not known.'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A sinner has been fulfilled by receiving the living water of the Lord. The Savior has been satisfied by doing the will of God and by making sinners satisfied. To do the will of God and to make sinners satisfied are the food of the Savior (v.34).

2) Man shall not live by bread alone (Matt 4:4) but also by food of one’s spirit. Joy and satisfaction obtained by saving one’s spirit are much better than the increase of one’s physical energy by the physical food. A man may forget his need of His physical body when he is in perfect joy.

 

John. 4:33 Therefore the disciples said to one another "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?"

YLT: “The disciples then said one to another `Did any one bring him anything to eat?'”

Literal Meaning: "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" ---- It could be seen that the disciples then were still considering the physical food.

 

John. 4:34 Jesus said to them "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

YLT: “Jesus saith to them `My food is that I may do the will of Him who sent me and may finish His work;”

Literal Meaning: it does not mean that the Lord Jesus did not eat any physical food (see Luke 4:42-43) but emphasizes the important thing in His life is doing the will of God (see Mark 3:20) rather than meeting His need in flesh.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The word of the Lord Jesus showed us that to do the will of God is not a heavy burden which requires great efforts but just as natural and enjoyable as eating food and will become entirely full finally.

2) Christians should give priority to do the will of God rather than to food.

3) “Do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work” it refers to the manifestation of His life and the provision of Christ. The more we give to others the more we will be fed by His “food”.

4) Whether we are doing the works of God or ourselves can be judged from the question that whether we have enjoyment in Spirit or not. If more works but brings more dryness and poverty it must be works of us. For when we do the works of God we will feel increasingly rich and full.

5) If we served Christ in the principle of His boundless fullness there would be much more and wealthier provision. However if we served Christ in the principle of men’s limitation there would be less and poorer provision. 

 

John. 4:35 Do you not say "There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold I say to you lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest!

YLT: “do not say that it is yet four months and the harvest cometh; lo I say to you Lift up your eyes and see the fields that they are white unto harvest already.”

Meaning of Words: look at”: behold perceive;

Literal Meaning: Do you not say”: “do you not have such a saying”;

There are still four months and then comes the harvest?” ---- In the original it is a common proverb with a rhythm which means crops should be ripe in a certain time it is fruitless to do anything to accelerate the ripe date before the harvest.

“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields” the Lord Jesus asked the disciples to life up their eyes and look at the fields nearby for many Samaritans were coming to them.

“They are already white!” ---- It was time for Samaritans to receive the salvation so they should only preach the glad tidings to the Samaritans.

“For harvest” he who reaps according to the law of nature should wait for a fixed time and reap a harvest but the disciples of the Lord may have a harvest just at that time.

Spiritual Meaning: “lift up your eyes and look at the fields” “fields” typifies the world (see Matt 13:38).

    They are already white!” ---- “they (the crops)” typifies the men who are predestined to be of God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is urgent to reap the spiritual harvest. Preach the word and be instant in season out of season (see 1Tim 4:2).

2) To know and hold the present chance is the most essential thing of doing the work of the Lord.

3) If we are willing to spare some time to consider what the world really needs (“lift up your eyes and look at the fields”) the Lord will enlighten us that there are many souls unsaved around us.

4) Today the church lacks men who lift up their eyes and look at the fields. Many Christians are unwilling to lift up their eyes and look at the fields so they feel there seems nothing to do. All those who lift up their eyes and look at the fields will inevitably find that many things in the church need to be none and a multitude of people everywhere need to be served.

 

John. 4:36 And he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

YLT: “`And he who is reaping doth receive a reward and doth gather fruit to life age-during that both he who is sowing and he who is reaping may rejoice together;”

Meaning of Words: gather”: assembly gather together; “for”: unto (so) that;

Literal Meaning: he who reaps receives wages” here it refers to the disciples of the Lord (see v.38).

    Gathers fruit for eternal life” it does not mean one can obtain the eternal life by only gathering fruit faithfully but means that the effect of his work may follow with him till the eternal life (see Rev 14:13)

    “That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” “he who sows” refers to the workers before them and here it specially refers to the Lord Jesus.

Spiritual Meaning: “that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” “he who sows” and “he who reaps” both typify the preachers of the glad tidings ---- the former had not received apparent fruit when he preached the glad tidings but the latter received the fruit of the glad tidings.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Fruit reaped in the spiritual sphere is worthy of the eternal value.

2) “That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” among the faithful servants of Christ there should be not only free from strife but partake of their fruit of works with each other also.

3) “That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” it unveils that:

  a). to preach the glad tidings is a matter of life so he who preaches needs to be grown up. Young Christian will not always reap the fruit of working immediately.

  b). the fruit of preaching the glad tidings is never the contribution of any individual but the achievement cooperated by the whole church.

   c). to preach the glad tidings will enable us the fulfillment of joy.

 

John. 4:37 For in this the saying is true: "One sows and another reaps.'

YLT: “for in this the saying is the true one that one is the sower and another the reaper.”

Enlightenment in the Word: One sows and another reaps” it would be better that one should not take complete care of all when he served the Lord in the church.

 

John. 4:38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labors."

YLT: “I sent you to reap that on which ye have not laboured; others laboured and ye into their labour have entered.”

Literal Meaning: others have labored” “others” refers to the men who are sent by God and preach the words of God among people i.e. those who sow (see 36-37).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Seldom has one been saved on account of a man’s work and many people have many times heard the glad tidings before they receive the Savior. Therefore one should not be self- complacent for he has brought a man into the Lord and never boast that God could by him only fulfill the works that could not be finished by others.

2) On the other side when we have concentrated on a certain man or group for a long time and there is still none fruit. We should continue praying for Him (or them) rather than faint or lose heart. Perhaps once the suitable time of God comes there will be unexpected fruit.

 

John. 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified "He told me all that I ever did."

YLT: “And from that city many believed in him of the Samaritans because of the word of the woman testifying -- `He told me all things -- as many as I did.'”

Enlightenment in the Word: to bear witness shall enable others to believe into the Lord Jesus so we should never make light of the power of bearing witness in the church.

 

John. 4:40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.

YLT: “When then the Samaritans came unto him they were asking him to remain with them and he remained there two days;”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One who abides with and communes with the Lord will experience more grace of the Lord.

2) One who believes the Lord Jesus objectively but never experiences the Lord Jesus subjectively will lose many opportunities of enjoy grace.

 

John. 4:41 And many more believed because of His own word.

YLT: “and many more did believe because of his word ”

Enlightenment in the Word: those who believe the Lord have various experiences. Some believed because of the testimonies of others (v.39) but more believed because of “the word of the Lord Jesus”. God employs different ways to bring sinners unto Him.

 

John. 4:42 Then they said to the woman "Now we believe not because of what you said for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ the Savior of the world."

YLT: “and said to the woman -- `No more because of thy speaking do we believe; for we ourselves have heard and known that this is truly the Saviour of the world -- the Christ.'”

Literal Meaning: “this is indeed the Christ the Savior of the world” the call of “the Savior of the world” has been only mentioned in the other place (see 1John 4:14) in the New Testament. Observe that it is the Samaritans that previously called the Lord “the Savior of the world”. The words of “the Savior of the world” indicate that: (1) the Lord Jesus not only taught men and saved men as well; (2) He not only saved the Jews and saved the whole world as well.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Faith is not received indirectly by the reports or the witnesses of others. Instead it is based on the living words of Christ.

2) Instead of receiving from others all the time we should experience Him personally if we want to know Christ.

 

John. 4:43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.

YLT: “And after the two days he went forth thence and went away to Galilee

Literal Meaning: after the two days” the “two days (v. 40)” refers to the two days when the Lord Jesus lived in the city of Samaria.

 

John. 4:44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

YLT: “for Jesus himself testified that a prophet in his own country shall not have honour;”

Literal Meaning: a prophet has no honor in his own country” in other three gospels it was mentioned on the occasion when the Lord Jesus was despised by His own country (see Matt 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24). “His own country” apparently referred to the country Nazareth in Galilee. If the sentence here meant that He intended to go to Galilee for He had no honor there it would be rather unsuitable and unreasonable. Besides it records later that the Galileans received Him warmly (v.45) so some Bible exegetes hold that “his own country” here refers to Jerusalem which is the true country for Jesus who is Messiah. His Father’s temple (see 2:16) was in Jerusalem and Nazareth was only His country in his flesh. This saying also agreed with the outset of this chapter when the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John He left Judea (see v.1-3) ---- it suggested that the Pharisees in Jerusalem had started to oppose the Lord Jesus.

 

John. 4:45 So when He came to Galilee the Galileans received Him having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

YLT: “when then he came to Galilee the Galileans received him having seen all things that he did in Jerusalem in the feast -- for they also went to the feast.”

Meaning of Words: “receive”: accept take

 

John. 4:46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.

YLT: “Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee where he made the water wine and there was a certain courtier whose son was ailing in Capernaum

Meaning of Words: “nobleman”: belonging to the sovereign (as land dress or a courtier) king's royal;

Spiritual Meaning: Galilee a place despised by others (see 7:41 52) symbolizes the mean and low world.

 

John. 4:47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son for he was at the point of death.

YLT: “he having heard that Jesus is come out of Judea to Galilee went away unto him and was asking him that he may come down and may heal his son for he was about to die.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) How shall they hear without one who preaches (see Rom 10:14)? So it is urgent for Christians to preach the things concerning the Lord.

2) The Lord pleases us to call upon Him in the day of trouble (Ps 50:15).

 

John. 4:48 Then Jesus said to him "Unless you people see signs and wonders you will by no means believe."

YLT: “Jesus then said unto him `If signs and wonders ye may not see ye will not believe.'”

Literal Meaning: “unless you people see signs and wonders” “signs and wonders” are actually the same: the former emphasizes the indications with profound meaning while the latter emphasizes the wonders with supernatural phenomenon.

    “You will by no means believe” “you” refers to all the men except for the nobleman.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It can be perceived from the Lord’s word of reproach that He is not pleased at faith in light of signs. Instead He prefers to the faith based on His word (see v.41 50).

2) If one’s faith is based on signs but not on His word merely there would be problems some day (see 2: 23-25).

3) Men often tend to see first and believe after but a true believer shall believe first and see after (see 2 Cor5:7). 

 

John. 4:49 The nobleman said to Him "Sir come down before my child dies!"

YLT: “The courtier saith unto him `Sir come down before my child die;'”

Literal Meaning: the nobleman believed that the Lord Jesus was able to heal His child but he did not know that the sovereignty of the Lord surpasses time and space so his faith then was not perfect.

 

John. 4:50 Jesus said to him "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and he went his way.

YLT: “Jesus saith to him `Be going on; thy son doth live.' And the man believed the word that Jesus said to him and was going on ”

Literal Meaning: your son lives.” ---- This is a kind of declaration.

   So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and he went his way.” ---- This is an action of faith.

 

John. 4:51 And as he was now going down his servants met him and told him saying "Your son lives!"

YLT: “and he now going down his servants met him and told saying -- `Thy child doth live;'”

Literal Meaning: this is a good example of believing Him first and witnessing Him afterwards.

 

John. 4:52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."

YLT: “he inquired then of them the hour in which he became better and they said to him -- `Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him;'”

Meaning of Words: “the seventh hour”: it was the seventh hour according to the Roman measure of time and one o’clock p.m. according to the Jewish measure of time.

Literal Meaning: the hour when he got better” is a Greek folk saying expressing that the patient's condition has been improved and the crisis has been over and recovering is at hand.

 

John. 4:53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him "Your son lives." And he himself believed and his whole household.

YLT: “then the father knew that in that hour in which Jesus said to him -- `Thy son doth live ' and he himself believed and his whole house;”

Literal Meaning: And he himself believed and his whole household” it did not mean he did not believe the Lord (v.50) but meant his faith in the Lord increased: (1) from reliance to obedience (2) From believing shallowly to deeply; (3) from the objective knowledge to the subjective experience; (4) from an individual to the whole family.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “And he himself believed and his whole household” apparently the Lord pleases that a man as well as his whole household shall be saved (see Act 11:14; 16:31).

2) The will of God is that the family of believers shall be jointed into one on Christ instead of being divided and broken for the Lord.

3) If we search the words and deeds of the Lord Jesus carefully our faith will be definitely increased.

4) In order to confirm out faith onto the words of the Lord we should observe earnestly everything concerning Him.

 

John. 4:54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

YLT: “this again a second sign did Jesus having come out of Judea to Galilee.”

Spiritual Meaning: the two signs by the Lord in Galilee are tokens which manifest that the risen Christ has swallowed up all the death (see 2:1-11).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

I. Two “must” in this chapter

A. But He needed to go through Samaria (v.4). ---- He must go to save the souls.

B. Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (v.24) ---- There should be true worship.

 

II. How to Preach the Gospels to an individual?

  A. To figure out his condition and need ---- why the woman of Samaria came to draw water singly in the scorching hot day (v.6-7)?

  B. To honor him ---- to ask her for water humbly not proudly (v.3).

  C. From shallow matters to the subject of one’s life ---- from the matter of drinking water to living water (v.10).

  D. To arouse his interest and pursuit ---- to make her feel the urgency of requesting voluntarily (v.13-15)

  E. To make him be conscious of his problems ---- to lead a man to know his sins (v.16-18)

  F. To correct his false religious notions ---- to enable him to have right knowledge of God and teach him right truth (v.20-24)

  H. To lead him to believe the Savior of the Lord Jesus ---- You should lead him know the Lord finally (v.25-26).

 

III. Factors Restraining Men from Being Blessed

  A. Different races ---- Jews have no dealings with Samaritans (v.9).

  B. Keeping the traditions ---- our father Jacob who gave us the well (v.12)

C. Unfavorable motivation ---- I may come here to draw (v.15).

D. Immoral behavior ---- the one who has had five husbands and the one whom you now have is not your husband (v.18)

E. Considering the forms only ---- our fathers worshiped on this mountain (v.20).

F. Different views ---- the disciples marveled that the Lord talked with a woman (v.27).

 

IV. The Progressive Knowledge of the woman of Samaria to the Lord

  A. He was a Jew (v.9). ---- They had never met before and had no associations

  B. He was the master (v.11). ---- With an respectful attitude

  C. Although He was great He could still not compare with their father Jacob (v.12).

  D. He was a prophet (v.19). ---- A spokesman of God

  E. Probably he was the Christ (v.29)

F. He is the true Savior of the world (v.42)

 

V. Three Conditions of enjoying the grace of God

  A. To “know the gift of God (v.10a)

B. If one would have “asked” Him He would have given (v.10b)

C. To “drink” the water that He shall give (v.14)

 

VI. The Secular Water and the Spiritual Water

  A. The secular water:

1. Which is of men’s work ---- a well (v.12)

2. Which relies on the traditions ---- left by the father Jacob (v.12)

3. Which requires men’s effort ---- to draw water with a water-pot (v.11)

4. Which presents only transient enjoyment ---- to thirst again (v.13)

  B. The spiritual water:

1. Which is perfectly of the heaven ---- a fountain of water (v.14)

2. Which surpasses the traditions ---- the Lord is greater than Jacob (v.12)

3. Which shall be obtained by spiritual way ---- If you knew the gift of God (v.10) ---- it rests on the spiritual insight

4. Which presents full enjoyment ---- one will become in Him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (v.14)

 

VII. How to Know the Worship Rightly?

  A. One should believe that the Lord Jesus is the foundation of worshiping God. ---- Believe Me (v.21a).

  B. One should know God is our Father. ---- Worship the Father (v.21b).

  C. One need not care about the worshiping place. ---- Neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem (v.21c).

  D. One should not worship God by the natural religious concepts. ---- You worship what you do not know (v.22a).

  E. One should worship by revelation. ---- We know what we worship (v.22b).

  F. One should worship according to the accomplished salvation. ---- For salvation is of the Jews (v.22c).

G. One should worship in spirit and truth. ---- Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (v.23-24).

  H. One should realize the right worship is spiritual fellowship. ---- For God is Spirit (v.24a).

 

VIII. The Comparison of Doing the Lord’s works

  A. Food ---- one will obtain food to enjoy if he does the will of Him and finishes His work (v.34).

  B. Reap ---- he who reaps a harvest of God receives wages of his own and gathers fruit for eternal life (v.35-37).

  C. Sow ---- to sow the seeds of God (v.36-37)

 

VIII. The Comparison of Reap a Harvest

  A. To lift up one’s eyes and look at the fields (v.35a) ---- He who does the work of the Lord should be provided with the spiritual insight.

  B. For they are already white for harvest (V.35b)! ---- It will be good chance of doing the Lord’s work at any time

C. He who reaps receives wages gathers fruit for eternal life (v.36a) ---- One’s toil is not in vain in the Lord (1Cor 15:58). They may rest from their labors and their works follow with them (Rev 14:13)

D. Both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together (v.36B). ---- Those who do the work of the Lord may partake of their accomplishments and be filled with great joy.

E. One sows and another reaps (v.37). ---- Those who do the work of the Lord may co-operate with each other.

 

IX. The Way of Knowing Christ

  A. The witness of believers ---- because of the word of the woman who testified (v.39)

  B. The presence of the Lord ---- they urged Him to stay with them (v.40)

C. The word of the Lord ---- because of His own word (v.41)

D. The personal experience ---- we ourselves have heard Him (v.42)

 

X. The Two Kind of Faith of the Woman of Samaritans

  A. The objective faith ---- they believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified (v.39)

  B. The subjective faith ---- they themselves had heard Him and believed Him because of the Lord’s word (v.40-42).

 

XI. The Faith of the Nobleman at Capernaum

A. The humble faith ---- he went to Jesus and implored Him to come down and heal his son (v.46-47)

  B. The faith being able to endure trials ---- though he was reproached by the Lord he did not leave disappointedly (v.48-49)

  C. The faith based on the promise of the Lord ---- he believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and he went his way (v.50).

  D. The obedient faith ---- his whole household believed on account of his witness of the faithfulness and great power of the Lord (v.51-53).

 

XII. The Increase of One’s Faith

  A. From “hearing” from others to “seeing” the Lord personally (v.47)

  B. From believing by “seeing the signs” to believing by the Lord’s “word” (v.48 50)

  C. From believing by holding the Lord to believing by being held by the Lord (v.49-50)

  D. From the faith being restricted by time and space to the faith surpassing time and space (v.49-53)

  E. From the faith not by sight to the faith providing true experiences (v.50 53)

  F. From the faith of “an individual” to the faith of the “whole household” (v.50 53)

 

XIII. The Procedures of Being Healed by the Lord

A.  Heard Him (v. 47a) ---- hearing the word of the Lord is the beginning of believing Him (see Rom 10:14)

  B. Came to see Him (v. 47b) ---- one should come to the Lord (see Matt 11:28)

  C. Implored Him (v. 47c) ---- if you do not ask God you will not have (see James 4:2)

  D. Believed the word of Him (v. 50a) ---- faith is manifested in believing the word of the Lord

  E. Kept His word and went his way (v. 50b) ---- obey in faith

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou