When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
And he must needs go through Samaria.
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
And many more believed because of his own word;
And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.
John 4, a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of John, beautifully illustrates the universality of God's grace and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. It’s a chapter rich in contrasts, moving from a dialogue with a respected religious leader to a conversation with a marginalized woman, demonstrating that the gospel transcends social barriers and speaks to the deepest needs of every heart. This chapter also highlights Jesus' divine and human nature.
From Judea to Samaria: A Journey of Purpose (John 4:1-4)
Following the events in Jerusalem (John 2-3), Jesus departs Judea and journeys toward Galilee. The most direct route leads through Samaria, a region avoided by many Jews due to deep-seated animosity. The Samaritans were considered an unclean race by the Jews. They were descendants of a mixed ancestry and syncretistic religious practices as a result of the Assyrians conquering the northern kingdom of Israel and deporting many Israelites, but left others in the land. Then the Assyrians settled other conquered peoples there, who intermarried with the remaining Israelites. This mixture of peoples also involved the worship of various false gods (see 2 Kgs 17:24-41). John emphasizes that Jesus had to go through Samaria. This wasn't merely a geographical necessity, but a divine imperative. Jesus intentionally crossed cultural and social boundaries to minister to those often overlooked and rejected. This act foreshadows the future commission to His disciples to be witnesses "in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus prioritized meeting spiritual needs over facilitating ungodly social and racial divisions.
A Divine Appointment at Jacob's Well (John 4:5-10)
Wearied from his journey, Jesus stops at Jacob's well near the town of Sychar. This well, a historical landmark connected to their shared patriarch Jacob (Gen 33:18-19; Josh 24:32), becomes the setting for a remarkable encounter. John subtly reminds us of Jesus' humanity ("worn out") and deity ("the Word was God," John 1:1) here. It's around noon when a Samaritan woman approaches the well to draw water. This timing is unusual, suggesting she might be avoiding the company of other women, perhaps due to her reputation. Jesus, defying social norms, initiates a conversation by asking her for a drink. This simple request shocks the woman, as "Jews do not associate with Samaritans" (John 4:9). Jesus uses this opportunity to introduce the concept of "living water," a metaphor for the spiritual life He offers. He tells her that if she knew who He was, she would be asking Him for a drink of living water. He uses a conversation about something physical to introduce her to a spiritual reality. Jesus doesn't give up His cultural and racial identity to minister to someone of a different race and culture. His willingness to engage her socially by drinking water from her cup opened the door for Him to reach her spiritually. We should never ignore or reject the humanity of different people as we seek to share with them the good news of the gospel.
Thirsting for More: Unveiling Spiritual Need (John 4:11-18)
The woman, initially focused on the physical, struggles to grasp Jesus' spiritual meaning. She questions how He can provide water when He has no jar and the well is deep. Jesus then explains that whoever drinks of the well's water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water He gives will never thirst. This "living water" will become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). Still misunderstanding, the woman desires this water to avoid the daily chore of drawing from the well. Jesus, recognizing her deeper need, gently shifts the conversation to her personal life, instructing her to call her husband. Her response, "I have no husband," prompts Jesus to reveal His profound knowledge of her situation: she has had five husbands, and the man she is currently with is not her husband. This revelation exposes her sin and opens the door for genuine transformation. Because Jesus was willing to drink from her cup, He could now address her sin.
Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:19-26)
Acknowledging Jesus as a prophet, the woman attempts to divert the conversation to a theological debate about the proper place of worship: Mount Gerizim (the Samaritan tradition) or Jerusalem (the Jewish tradition). Jesus transcends this division, declaring that a time is coming when true worship will not be confined to a specific location. Instead, "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (John 4:23).
To “worship the Father in Spirit” is to have a heart that is in pursuit of an intimate spiritual relationship with the God who is Spirit. To worship God “in truth” is to worship Him in a biblically accurate way—through the one who is the truth (see John 14:6). The Father wants such people to worship him (John 4:23). God is on the hunt for those who will worship Him spiritually through Jesus Christ based on the truth of His Word.
This profound statement emphasizes the importance of inward sincerity and alignment with God's revealed truth. The worship isn't just about the external acts, but the internal attitude and understanding of who God is. Finally, the conversation reaches its climax as Jesus reveals His identity: "I, the one speaking to you—I am he" (John 4:26). He declares to her that He is the Messiah. Jesus can deal with your sin (that’s why He came), and He can straighten out your confusion. What’s needed is an openness to receive Him.
A Witness Transformed: Spreading the Good News (John 4:27-30)
At this moment, the disciples return, surprised to find Jesus speaking with a woman, and a Samaritan at that. However, the woman, now transformed by her encounter with Jesus, leaves her water jar and rushes back to her town, proclaiming, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29). Her testimony, though simple, is powerful, drawing many Samaritans to come and see Jesus for themselves. The woman hadn’t attended seminary; she’d had no theological training. She had simply met Jesus. In fact, she’d only just met him. But she knew enough to want to share Him with others. New believers should be encouraged to share their faith as soon as possible.
Sowing and Reaping: A Harvest of Souls (John 4:31-38)
While the woman is in town, the disciples urge Jesus to eat. However, Jesus responds that He has "food to eat that you know nothing about" (John 4:32). He explains that His "food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). For Jesus, the spiritual trumps the physical. His greatest satisfaction and fulfillment, then, was not in filling his belly but in obeying God. To Him, doing the will of God was not drudgery but joy. For us too, the spiritual must always take precedence over the physical (see Matt 4:3-4; 6:31-33).
He then uses the analogy of sowing and reaping to illustrate the process of evangelism. He points out that the harvest is already ripe, even though it may seem too soon. Jesus compared gospel ministry to sowing seeds and reaping a harvest. Sometimes one sows and another reaps (John 4:37)—that is, it may take several encounters with the gospel delivered through more than one messenger before a person believes it. One Christian explains the gospel to an unbeliever, and later another Christian eventually leads that unbeliever to Christ. Seeds are sown by one believer, and a harvest is reaped by another (John 4:38). Such shared ministry allows us to share in the blessings of God’s kingdom with one another.
Believing Through Encounter: A Community Transformed (John 4:39-42)
Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony. They came to Jesus because of the woman’s witness; they stayed because they encountered Jesus personally. As they spent time with Him, they came to believe not just because of her words, but because they themselves had heard Him and knew that He was indeed "the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). There’s no telling what God can do with your passionate, genuine testimony about how the grace of God transformed your life.
John indicated earlier that “Jews [did] not associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Nevertheless, the Samaritans . . . asked [Jesus] to stay with them. So He and His disciples hung out with them for two days (John 4:40). So, is racial reconciliation possible? If you’re operating spiritually and united in Jesus, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” And it doesn’t take long when people are right with Jesus.
Healing at a Distance: Faith Tested and Rewarded (John 4:43-54)
After staying in Samaria, Jesus travels to Galilee. The Galileans welcomed Him because they had seen everything He did in Jerusalem. However, John lets the reader know that rejection is coming because Jesus Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. Not only would those from his hometown reject him, but they’d even seek to kill him (see Luke 4:16-30).
In Cana, a royal official pleads with Jesus to heal his dying son. Jesus initially responds with a challenge, rebuking him and the other people who had gathered because they were unwilling to believe that He was the Messiah based on His word, as the Samaritans did. This shows that though they wanted to see and experience the benefits of Jesus’s miraculous signs and wonders. However, demonstrating His mercy, Jesus heals the son from a distance, saying, "Go; your son will live" (John 4:50). The man believes Jesus' word and departs. As the official was on his way, his servants met him and said that his son had recovered—at the very hour that Jesus had spoken to him (John 4:51-53). (When Jesus is ready to move, don’t blink, or you may miss his work.) As a result, the official shared what happened with his whole household, and they all believed in Jesus as the Messiah and not just as a miracle worker (John 4:53). This healing serves as the second sign recorded in John's Gospel, solidifying the official's faith and leading his entire household to believe.
John 4 reveals the heart of Jesus: a heart that breaks down barriers, seeks out the marginalized, and offers living water to all who thirst. It's a chapter that encourages us to embrace the universality of the gospel and to share the transformative power of encountering Jesus with others. It also reminds us that faith is not just about seeing miracles, but about trusting in the word of Jesus and acting upon it.
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
And he must needs go through Samaria.
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
And many more believed because of his own word;
And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.
John 4, a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of John, beautifully illustrates the universality of God's grace and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. It’s a chapter rich in contrasts, moving from a dialogue with a respected religious leader to a conversation with a marginalized woman, demonstrating that the gospel transcends social barriers and speaks to the deepest needs of every heart. This chapter also highlights Jesus' divine and human nature.
From Judea to Samaria: A Journey of Purpose (John 4:1-4)
Following the events in Jerusalem (John 2-3), Jesus departs Judea and journeys toward Galilee. The most direct route leads through Samaria, a region avoided by many Jews due to deep-seated animosity. The Samaritans were considered an unclean race by the Jews. They were descendants of a mixed ancestry and syncretistic religious practices as a result of the Assyrians conquering the northern kingdom of Israel and deporting many Israelites, but left others in the land. Then the Assyrians settled other conquered peoples there, who intermarried with the remaining Israelites. This mixture of peoples also involved the worship of various false gods (see 2 Kgs 17:24-41). John emphasizes that Jesus had to go through Samaria. This wasn't merely a geographical necessity, but a divine imperative. Jesus intentionally crossed cultural and social boundaries to minister to those often overlooked and rejected. This act foreshadows the future commission to His disciples to be witnesses "in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus prioritized meeting spiritual needs over facilitating ungodly social and racial divisions.
A Divine Appointment at Jacob's Well (John 4:5-10)
Wearied from his journey, Jesus stops at Jacob's well near the town of Sychar. This well, a historical landmark connected to their shared patriarch Jacob (Gen 33:18-19; Josh 24:32), becomes the setting for a remarkable encounter. John subtly reminds us of Jesus' humanity ("worn out") and deity ("the Word was God," John 1:1) here. It's around noon when a Samaritan woman approaches the well to draw water. This timing is unusual, suggesting she might be avoiding the company of other women, perhaps due to her reputation. Jesus, defying social norms, initiates a conversation by asking her for a drink. This simple request shocks the woman, as "Jews do not associate with Samaritans" (John 4:9). Jesus uses this opportunity to introduce the concept of "living water," a metaphor for the spiritual life He offers. He tells her that if she knew who He was, she would be asking Him for a drink of living water. He uses a conversation about something physical to introduce her to a spiritual reality. Jesus doesn't give up His cultural and racial identity to minister to someone of a different race and culture. His willingness to engage her socially by drinking water from her cup opened the door for Him to reach her spiritually. We should never ignore or reject the humanity of different people as we seek to share with them the good news of the gospel.
Thirsting for More: Unveiling Spiritual Need (John 4:11-18)
The woman, initially focused on the physical, struggles to grasp Jesus' spiritual meaning. She questions how He can provide water when He has no jar and the well is deep. Jesus then explains that whoever drinks of the well's water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water He gives will never thirst. This "living water" will become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). Still misunderstanding, the woman desires this water to avoid the daily chore of drawing from the well. Jesus, recognizing her deeper need, gently shifts the conversation to her personal life, instructing her to call her husband. Her response, "I have no husband," prompts Jesus to reveal His profound knowledge of her situation: she has had five husbands, and the man she is currently with is not her husband. This revelation exposes her sin and opens the door for genuine transformation. Because Jesus was willing to drink from her cup, He could now address her sin.
Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:19-26)
Acknowledging Jesus as a prophet, the woman attempts to divert the conversation to a theological debate about the proper place of worship: Mount Gerizim (the Samaritan tradition) or Jerusalem (the Jewish tradition). Jesus transcends this division, declaring that a time is coming when true worship will not be confined to a specific location. Instead, "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (John 4:23).
To “worship the Father in Spirit” is to have a heart that is in pursuit of an intimate spiritual relationship with the God who is Spirit. To worship God “in truth” is to worship Him in a biblically accurate way—through the one who is the truth (see John 14:6). The Father wants such people to worship him (John 4:23). God is on the hunt for those who will worship Him spiritually through Jesus Christ based on the truth of His Word.
This profound statement emphasizes the importance of inward sincerity and alignment with God's revealed truth. The worship isn't just about the external acts, but the internal attitude and understanding of who God is. Finally, the conversation reaches its climax as Jesus reveals His identity: "I, the one speaking to you—I am he" (John 4:26). He declares to her that He is the Messiah. Jesus can deal with your sin (that’s why He came), and He can straighten out your confusion. What’s needed is an openness to receive Him.
A Witness Transformed: Spreading the Good News (John 4:27-30)
At this moment, the disciples return, surprised to find Jesus speaking with a woman, and a Samaritan at that. However, the woman, now transformed by her encounter with Jesus, leaves her water jar and rushes back to her town, proclaiming, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29). Her testimony, though simple, is powerful, drawing many Samaritans to come and see Jesus for themselves. The woman hadn’t attended seminary; she’d had no theological training. She had simply met Jesus. In fact, she’d only just met him. But she knew enough to want to share Him with others. New believers should be encouraged to share their faith as soon as possible.
Sowing and Reaping: A Harvest of Souls (John 4:31-38)
While the woman is in town, the disciples urge Jesus to eat. However, Jesus responds that He has "food to eat that you know nothing about" (John 4:32). He explains that His "food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). For Jesus, the spiritual trumps the physical. His greatest satisfaction and fulfillment, then, was not in filling his belly but in obeying God. To Him, doing the will of God was not drudgery but joy. For us too, the spiritual must always take precedence over the physical (see Matt 4:3-4; 6:31-33).
He then uses the analogy of sowing and reaping to illustrate the process of evangelism. He points out that the harvest is already ripe, even though it may seem too soon. Jesus compared gospel ministry to sowing seeds and reaping a harvest. Sometimes one sows and another reaps (John 4:37)—that is, it may take several encounters with the gospel delivered through more than one messenger before a person believes it. One Christian explains the gospel to an unbeliever, and later another Christian eventually leads that unbeliever to Christ. Seeds are sown by one believer, and a harvest is reaped by another (John 4:38). Such shared ministry allows us to share in the blessings of God’s kingdom with one another.
Believing Through Encounter: A Community Transformed (John 4:39-42)
Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony. They came to Jesus because of the woman’s witness; they stayed because they encountered Jesus personally. As they spent time with Him, they came to believe not just because of her words, but because they themselves had heard Him and knew that He was indeed "the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). There’s no telling what God can do with your passionate, genuine testimony about how the grace of God transformed your life.
John indicated earlier that “Jews [did] not associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Nevertheless, the Samaritans . . . asked [Jesus] to stay with them. So He and His disciples hung out with them for two days (John 4:40). So, is racial reconciliation possible? If you’re operating spiritually and united in Jesus, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” And it doesn’t take long when people are right with Jesus.
Healing at a Distance: Faith Tested and Rewarded (John 4:43-54)
After staying in Samaria, Jesus travels to Galilee. The Galileans welcomed Him because they had seen everything He did in Jerusalem. However, John lets the reader know that rejection is coming because Jesus Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. Not only would those from his hometown reject him, but they’d even seek to kill him (see Luke 4:16-30).
In Cana, a royal official pleads with Jesus to heal his dying son. Jesus initially responds with a challenge, rebuking him and the other people who had gathered because they were unwilling to believe that He was the Messiah based on His word, as the Samaritans did. This shows that though they wanted to see and experience the benefits of Jesus’s miraculous signs and wonders. However, demonstrating His mercy, Jesus heals the son from a distance, saying, "Go; your son will live" (John 4:50). The man believes Jesus' word and departs. As the official was on his way, his servants met him and said that his son had recovered—at the very hour that Jesus had spoken to him (John 4:51-53). (When Jesus is ready to move, don’t blink, or you may miss his work.) As a result, the official shared what happened with his whole household, and they all believed in Jesus as the Messiah and not just as a miracle worker (John 4:53). This healing serves as the second sign recorded in John's Gospel, solidifying the official's faith and leading his entire household to believe.
John 4 reveals the heart of Jesus: a heart that breaks down barriers, seeks out the marginalized, and offers living water to all who thirst. It's a chapter that encourages us to embrace the universality of the gospel and to share the transformative power of encountering Jesus with others. It also reminds us that faith is not just about seeing miracles, but about trusting in the word of Jesus and acting upon it.