Session 8

Jesus and the Women of Samaria

John 4:1-42

(4:1-3) Jesus had to leave the area

(4:4) Jews would not normally pass through Samaria

Samaritans - have a dark history (2 Kings 17:6, 24-41) For this reason Jews and Samaritans hated

each other and did not associate with each other (John 4:9). In fact when Jews wanted to insult

someone they would call them a Samaritan (John 8:48). Also the Samaritans rejected all of the Old

Testament with the exception of the Pentateuch (Gen-Deut).

(4:5-6) Jesus was “wearied.” Showing Jesus humanity. The “sixth hour” = about 12:00pm

(4:7-9) (1) In this culture, men do not talk to women in public.

“In that day, it was not considered proper for any man, especially a rabbi, to speak in

public to a strange women… The rabbis said, „it is better that the words of the law be burned than

be delivered to a women!‟” – Warren W. Wiersbe

“In the culture of that day, it was strange for a man to initiate conversation with a

women in public” – Colin G. Kruse

“…No Jewish rabbi would have volunteered to carry on a public conversation with a

women” – Expositor‟s Bible Commentary

“A first-century reader would barely expect Jesus and the Women to acknowledge each

other‟s presence, much less speak” – Gary M. Burge

(2) Women do not usually come to draw water in the heat of the day. They usually came either in

the morning or evening (Genesis 24:11). Water collection was the responsibility of the women in

this culture and thus wells became a sort of social gathering place.

(4:10-15) “Living water refers to water that flows as in a spring, river, or stream, that is, moving

water” – Gary M. Burge

(John 7:37-39)

“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

(4:16-18) Jesus reveals her problem. Jesus calls her on her sin.

- Jesus' treatment of Women broke all the cultural norms (John 4:27)

Elizabeth (Luke 1:6, 41-45), Mary (Luke 1:38, Acts 1:14), Anna (Luke 2:36-38),

Mary and Martha (John 11:5, 20-27, Luke 10:38-42)

Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-30), Joanna and Susanna (Luke 8:3),

A woman with bleeding (Mark 5:24-34), Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2, Matthew 27:55-

56,61, Mark 16:2 , Luke 24:9-10, John 20:1-18)

Other Women (Luke 13:10-13) (Matthew. 27:55-56) (Mark 15:41) (Luke 23:27)

- Cultures without the influence of Christianity treat women very differently

" Never will succeed such a nation that makes a women their ruler" - The Prophet of Islam

Quran giving permission to men to beat their wives

(Surah 4:34) - Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other

and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly

obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those

[wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in

bed; and [finally], beat them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them.

Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.

Quran Stating the testimony of a women is only half as good as a man’s

(Surah 2:282) - And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not

two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so

that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her.

(4:16-24) A Few things to note:

(1) She takes Jesus on a detour instead of dealing with her sin.

(2) Jesus again revels her spiritual ignorance: She does not know who, where or how to

worship

(3) Jesus makes it clear that all religions are not equally acceptable to God (John 14:6;

Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5)

(4) We are held accountable for what we believe. We must believe the truth.

(4:25-26) Jesus is the Messiah

(4:27-30) Automatically this woman becomes an evangelist.

(4:39-42) This was the least likely woman to be saved through Jesus Christ, yet God uses her to win

nearly an entire village!