John 4:1-14 (HGM on 23 May 23)

1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Commentary: Here is seen the development of the "he must increase" John (the Immerser) mentioned in Chapter 3. The Pharisees always kept tabs on religious activities in and around Palestine. This was certainly a picture of conflict in the eyes of the Pharisees because conflict was the way the Pharisees did business. 

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) Commentary: Jesus never baptized one person His disciples did, but one thing for sure Jesus knew how to delegate. He trained His disciples and then sent them out to preach and perform signs and wonders. God gets His disciples involved so that He can do an inner work in them bringing them from a place of servant hood to friendship. We work the Gospel so that the Gospel can work us. 

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. Commentary: So, Jesus left. Why did not John leave? John did not have enough spiritual discernment to know to leave. Jesus saw the conflict of the two ministries and knew His Father would not be glorified and the Pharisees would then exploit the division. We must be ready to shift gears in the LORD or He cannot use us. If called to the mission field we may not be called there our entire life. There are only two calls in the Bible: a call to repentance and a call to fellowship with the LORD. Example: Paul did not live and die in Macedonia (Act 16:6) 

4 And he must needs go through Samaria. Commentary: Most Jews take the Jordan Valley when traveling north to south. Then they usually cross over the east side of the river Bethabara (House of Crossing over) where John was immersing (John 1:28) This leading was contrary to custom and would be severely frowned upon by the Jews. So too today when we have a leading in God away from the traditions of men the Brethren frown upon it. But Samaria represents the racism, nationalism, and class status that Jesus bridges. When was the last time you went by way of Samaria? 

5 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. Commentary: "Then" comes only after a when. Only after Jesus (and us) are willing to move out from His ministry in Judea do we get our when. This is God's overall plan of ministry, when and then our "then." The "then" is a divine appointment destination. The when are the stepping stones. When we confess then we get our divine destination. This principle will follow us through life and even into eternity. Knowing the Father's will Jesus traveled towards Sychar. A servant may be put in a place for years before they see the reason, but faithfulness yields purpose. 

6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied (laboring) with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. (noon) Commentary: The natural always flows with the spiritual, so Jesus being tired rested at the well waiting for the Spiritual to yield an opportunity. We are brought into the Spiritual to live there as natural human beings. The LORD wants our Spiritual life to be more natural, but not carnal. We must not become over spiritualized this does more harm than good. But our life in the Spiritual must be lived out naturally, as breathing. The well usually was deserted, but Jesus had a divine appointment. 

7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. Commentary: Due to the time of day the woman wanted to avoid (morning and evening) the other women. Alone Jesus and the woman had a divine arrangement. Jesus initiated the conservation as He does with us all. He reaches out to the needy by the Holy Spirit before they can reach Him. He draws and we follow. 

8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Commentary: How odd all of the disciples were in the city buying meat. (food) God often will move well meaning disciples out of the way to get a specific work done in someone's life. 

9 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. Commentary: I guess the Samarian lady never talked to a Jew. Here is a "then" after a when. Jesus did not hesitate to perform the when even if it will break tradition and custom to feed a hungry heart and touch the needy. This unlikely woman was a much needed spiritual refreshing for Jesus. Often our blessings come from packages we deem unworthy. 

10 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. Commentary: Jesus was offering the woman two things: one a picture of His deity and two eternal life. Jesus' refreshing started when the Spirit reached out through Him to meet the woman's need. Jesus' nontraditional approach and usual answer pulled the woman from any attempt to actually draw water for Jesus. She was naturally draw by men, but she was strangely drawn to this man who she referred to as a Jew. 

11 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? Commentary: Now the LORD has her respect, "Sir" the Samarian woman is curious about this living water. This was a sign she was opening her heart even though she was still unaware of the truth before her, but she was unsure where this water is located, "thou hast nothing to draw with." 

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Commentary: Even though she did not know who Jesus was her respect did not elevate Jesus above Jacob, however she did see some greatness in Jesus from the start. 

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: Commentary: Jesus was drawing a parallel between the natural and the spiritual water. The Samarian woman could not find the satisfaction in life. She came to the well day after day as she looked for satisfaction in every relationship. This woman was used to being thirsty and was seeking gratification when she met Jesus. The words "thirst again" means temporary contentment. So too in our lives. 

14 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. Commentary: Jesus spoke a mystery to her that she did not understand. He was telling her fulfillment comes only from God. Because the Father gave Jesus life within Himself he now can impart life to others. A Spiritual principle: a man cannot give what he does not have. Unless we too have life in us we can impart life, but if not then all we can impart in every relationship we enter is death. The result is a divine quality of life not that the believer becomes divine, but now they can partake of His divine nature. The entire process in each individual is toward and into eternal life. The person grows toward many areas of divine quality entering into each area as the work of God as it is completed and the believer qualifies.