(The Water of Life Discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well, Angelika Kauffmann, 17–18th century)
John 4:1-30

In just a moment, what starts as a normal encounter can change your life forever.

Background

Jesus was in Jerusalem and traveled back to Galilee to avoid the Jewish leaders. He stopped in Samaria, when Jews normally traveled a longer route along the Jordan river to avoid Samaria. In 2 Kings 17:24-31 we learn that the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom and then settled other people in it. The Jews of the south considered the Samaritans traitors to the faith. The journey is about 40 miles. Jesus arrives at noon.

Finding a bride at the well

Three places in the Old Testament important people find a wife at the well:

  • Issac (Genesis 24:10-67)
  • Jacob (Genesis 29:1-30)
  • Moses (Exodus 2:15-21)

Just before they left Jerusalem, in John 3:29, John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the groom!

Living or flowing water?

The word here for “living” could also mean “flowing”. The woman thinks it is “flowing” which is better than the stagnant water of the well. Only later will she realize Jesus means “living”.

In the Old Testament, the blessings of the Lord are often represented as life-giving water (Is 12:3; 44:3, Ezek 47:1-2, Zech 14:8). And of course Baptism is about water - Jesus’ disciples had just been baptizing at the end of John 3.

Husbands

The woman has had five husbands - which parallel the five peoples settled in Samaria in 2 Kings 17. In the Old Testament, false gods are called Baal, the Hebrew word for “lord” or “husband”. Jesus is the groom who comes to save the Samaritans.

Where to worship?

The Samaritans worshiped on Mt. Gerizim, the Jews in Jerusalem. Worship in spirit and truth is

  • not in person like in Jerusalem (spirit)
  • not with false gods like in Samaria (truth)

The Messiah

Only in two places, here and at his trial (Mark 14:61-62) does Jesus claim to be the Messiah. He always hides it - but the faith of this woman is so strong that he reveals it to her. Even his disciples don’t really know this yet!

The jar left behind

Why does John tell us this? It shows that the woman has abandoned everything now after encountering Christ. Her life is changed, she forgets why she was even here.

What is her response?

She goes off and tells everyone, and they believe because of her. I love what Jesus says to the disciples when she is gone: “see how the fields are already white for the harvest.” I can imagine they would look up and see the people pouring out from the city.

Into the deep

For more, check out the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - The Gospel of John.