By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
BUT WHOEVER DRINKS
John 4:11–26
Jews and Samaritans of the first century had ethnic animosity centuries in the making. After the northern tribes split from Rehoboam, Jeroboam created idolatrous royal sanctuaries in Dan and Bethel
(1 Kings 12:26–33).
Ahab and Jezebel initiated further idolatry in Samaria, championing pluralism (1 Kings 16:30–33). After Samaria’s fall, the Hebraism of the north had a new dialect, a distinct alphabet and a separate theology adhering only to the Samaritan Pentateuch. They rejected Jerusalem as God’s established place of worship, adhering to Mount Gerizim instead.
Jesus was compelled to travel from Jerusalem to Galilee through Samaria. Our passage picks up during a midday encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at the well outside Sychar.
Why would a woman go to the well alone at noon? Why not go at daybreak or dusk with the other women?
Why would she miss out on the gossip unless she was its subject? Why would a self-respecting rabbi engage in conversation with this marginalized woman?
Thirst Quenched? (11–15)
“Why are you talking to me?” From a cultural perspective, this was a legitimate question. Jews and Samaritans didn’t converse. Unmarried men were careful not to dishonor a family by being with a woman without her father, husband or another male family member present.
“Where do you get this living water?” In Jeremiah 2:13 and 17:13, God Himself is called the living water Israel has forsaken. Zechariah also refers to living waters flowing from Jerusalem (14:8) Samaritans rejected the biblical contents of the Hebrew prophets and the writings, so they would not be familiar with these passages.
“Are you greater than Jacob?” I’ll answer that one for Jesus. Yes!
Sin Exposed (16–20)
“I don’t have a husband.” She made an honest but not entirely truthful statement. Jesus exposed the truth — five ex-husbands and a live-in boyfriend.
“I see you are a prophet, so I have a spiritual question for you.” Since my earliest days at the University of Mobile, students have asked questions to change the subject from convicting topics. Some questions are easily answered. Others deal with personal conviction. Still others mean to justify immorality. We often change the subject when our sins are exposed.
True Worship (21–24)
“You Samaritans worship whom you do not know.” The Samaritan Pentateuch adds a paragraph to Exodus 20:17 saying Israel was to build a worship altar on Mount Gerizim. In the Hebrew Bible, Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:12 mention Gerizim only symbolically as a mountain representing God’s blessing.
“Worship God in spirit and in truth.” The place for worship is insignificant since Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Samaritans worshipped in spirit, holding fast the traditions of their past. Jews, particularly the scribes and Pharisees, held to the unchanging truth of God’s word.
The born-again follower of Jesus who adheres to Scripture worships God in spirit and in truth, wherever he or she is.
True Faith (25–26)
“I know Messiah is coming.” Promises in the Pentateuch said God would send the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) to redeem a people for Himself.
“I, the One speaking to you, am He.” This woman searched for a relationship to quench her thirst and satisfy her longings. She remained thirsty until she met Jesus, the Anointed One who quenched her soul’s thirst. As soon as she believed, she introduced her neighbors to Jesus.
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