John 4:28

28 So the woman left her water-jar, went back to the town and said to the people there,

John 4:28 Meaning and Commentary

John 4:28

The woman then left her water pot
Her pail, or bucket, she brought with her to the well to draw water in: this she left, either for Christ and his disciples to make use of; or rather through forgetfulness, her mind being greatly impressed, and her thoughts much taken up with what Christ had said to her, and she being in haste to acquaint others with it: so the disciples left their nets, their business, their friends, and all for Christ; and so the saints are brought to quit their earthly and worldly things for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel. The Ethiopic version renders it, "she left her disputation": she left off discoursing with Christ upon the disciples coming to him.

And went her way into the city:
the city of Sychar, to inform her friends, relations, and neighbours what she had met with: so Andrew and Philip, when they had found Christ themselves, acquaint others with it, and bring them to him; so Levi, the publican, being called himself by Christ, makes a feast for Christ, and invites many publicans and sinners to sit down with him, that they might know him as well as himself; so the Apostle Paul, when converted, expresses a great concern for his brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh; and such is the nature of true grace, that those that have it would have others partakers of it likewise:

and saith to the men.
The Ethiopic version adds, "of her house"; no doubt the men of the place in general are meant; not only those of her family, but the inhabitants of the city. The Syriac version leaves out the words, "to the men". The Jews will not allow the Cuthites, or Samaritans, to be called "men"; this they peculiarly ascribe to priests, Levites, and Israelites F21.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 61. 1. & Tosephot in ib.

John 4:28 In-Context

26 Yeshua said to her, "I, the person speaking to you, am he."
27 Just then, his talmidim arrived. They were amazed that he was talking with a woman; but none of them said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you talking with her?"
28 So the woman left her water-jar, went back to the town and said to the people there,
29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I've ever done. Could it be that this is the Messiah?"
30 They left the town and began coming toward him.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.