John 4:1-26
A Divine Appointment (vv. 1-8)
- An unusual journey
- An unusual encounter
A Deliberate Awkwardness (vv. 9-12)
Breaking social barriers
Bringing strange ideas –”If you knew…”
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- Strange words
- Strange water
A Displayed Awareness (vv. 13-20)
A natural request
A supernatural revelation
- His authority
- Her argument
A Direct Answer (vv. 21-26)
- “The hour is coming…
- …and now is.”
- “I…am He”
More to Consider
The Samaritan woman contrasts sharply with Nicodemus (John 3). He was seeking; she was indifferent. He was a respected ruler; she was an outcast. He was serious; she was flippant. He was a Jew; she was a despised Samaritan. He was (presumably) moral; she was immoral. He was orthodox; she was heterodox. He was learned in religious matters; she was ignorant. Yet in spite of all the differences between this “churchman” and this woman of the world, they both needed to be born again. Both had needs only Christ could meet. Edwin A. Blum
Jesus Himself is the supreme example of cross-cultural ministry. Jesus left heaven to minister on earth. He was the first incarnational missionary as God in the flesh. In a similar way, Christians today should live the gospel among the cultures of the world. Jesus also demonstrated His concern for reaching other cultures by witnessing to the Samaritans, an ethnic group despised by the Jews of His day (Jn 4). John Mark Terry, Apologetics Study Bible
He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death. Gregory of Nazianzus, A.D. 381.
