Giovanni 4

1 Quando dunque il Signore ebbe saputo che i Farisei aveano udito ch’egli faceva e battezzava più discepoli di Giovanni

2 (quantunque non fosse Gesù che battezzava, ma i suoi discepoli),

3 lasciò la Giudea e se n’andò di nuovo in Galilea.

4 Or doveva passare per la Samaria.

5 Giunse dunque a una città della Samaria, chiamata Sichar, vicina al podere che Giacobbe dette a Giuseppe, suo figliuolo;

6 e quivi era la fonte di Giacobbe. Gesù dunque, stanco del cammino, stava così a sedere presso la fonte. Era circa l’ora sesta.

7 Una donna samaritana venne ad attinger l’acqua. Gesù le disse: Dammi da bere.

8 (Giacché i suoi discepoli erano andati in città a comprar da mangiare).

9 Onde la donna samaritana gli disse: Come mai tu che sei giudeo chiedi da bere a me che sono una donna samaritana? Infatti i Giudei non hanno relazioni co’ Samaritani.

10 Gesù rispose e le disse: Se tu conoscessi il dono di Dio e chi è che ti dice: Dammi da bere, tu stessa gliene avresti chiesto, ed egli t’avrebbe dato dell’acqua viva.

11 La donna gli disse: Signore, tu non hai nulla per attingere, e il pozzo è profondo; donde hai dunque cotest’acqua viva?

12 Sei tu più grande di Giacobbe nostro padre che ci dette questo pozzo e ne bevve egli stesso co’ suoi figliuoli e il suo bestiame?

13 Gesù rispose e le disse: Chiunque beve di quest’acqua avrà sete di nuovo;

14 ma chi beve dell’acqua che io gli darò, non avrà mai più sete; anzi, l’acqua che io gli darò, diventerà in lui una fonte d’acqua che scaturisce in vita eterna.

15 La donna gli disse: Signore, dammi di cotest’acqua, affinché io non abbia più sete, e non venga più sin qua ad attingere.

16 Gesù le disse: Va’ a chiamar tuo marito e vieni qua.

17 La donna gli rispose: Non ho marito. E Gesù: Hai detto bene: Non ho marito;

18 perché hai avuto cinque mariti; e quello che hai ora, non è tuo marito; in questo hai detto il vero.

19 La donna gli disse: Signore, io vedo che tu sei un profeta.

20 I nostri padri hanno adorato su questo monte, e voi dite che a Gerusalemme è il luogo dove bisogna adorare.

21 Gesù le disse: Donna, credimi; l’ora viene che né su questo monte né a Gerusalemme adorerete il Padre.

22 Voi adorate quel che non conoscete; noi adoriamo quel che conosciamo, perché la salvazione vien da’ Giudei.

23 Ma l’ora viene, anzi è già venuta, che i veri adoratori adoreranno il Padre in ispirito e verità; poiché tali sono gli adoratori che il Padre richiede.

24 Iddio è spirito; e quelli che l’adorano, bisogna che l’adorino in ispirito e verità.

25 La donna gli disse: Io so che il Messia (ch’è chiamato Cristo) ha da venire; quando sarà venuto, ci annunzierà ogni cosa.

26 Gesù le disse: Io che ti parlo, son desso.

27 In quel mentre giunsero i suoi discepoli, e si maravigliarono ch’egli parlasse con una donna; ma pur nessuno gli chiese: Che cerchi? o: Perché discorri con lei?

28 La donna lasciò dunque la sua secchia, se ne andò in città e disse alla gente:

29 Venite a vedere un uomo che m’ha detto tutto quello che ho fatto; non sarebb’egli il Cristo?

30 La gente uscì dalla città e veniva a lui.

31 Intanto i discepoli lo pregavano, dicendo: Maestro, mangia.

32 Ma egli disse loro: Io ho un cibo da mangiare che voi non sapete.

33 Perciò i discepoli si dicevano l’uno all’altro: Forse qualcuno gli ha portato da mangiare?

34 Gesù disse loro: Il mio cibo è di far la volontà di Colui che mi ha mandato, e di compiere l’opera sua.

35 Non dite voi che ci sono ancora quattro mesi e poi vien la mietitura? Ecco, io vi dico: Levate gli occhi e mirate le campagne come già son bianche da mietere.

36 Il mietitore riceve premio e raccoglie frutto per la vita eterna, affinché il seminatore ed il mietitore si rallegrino assieme.

37 Poiché in questo è vero il detto: L’uno semina e l’altro miete.

38 Io v’ho mandati a mieter quello intorno a cui non avete faticato; altri hanno faticato, e voi siete entrati nella lor fatica.

39 Or molti de’ Samaritani di quella città credettero in lui a motivo della testimonianza resa da quella donna: Egli m’ha detto tutte le cose che ho fatte.

40 Quando dunque i Samaritani furono venuti a lui, lo pregarono di trattenersi da loro; ed egli si trattenne quivi due giorni.

41 E più assai credettero a motivo della sua parola;

42 e dicevano alla donna: Non è più a motivo di quel che tu ci hai detto, che crediamo; perché abbiamo udito da noi, e sappiamo che questi è veramente il Salvator del mondo.

43 Passati que’ due giorni, egli partì di là per andare in Galilea;

44 poiché Gesù stesso aveva attestato che un profeta non è onorato nella sua propria patria.

45 Quando dunque fu venuto in Galilea, fu accolto dai Galilei, perché avean vedute tutte le cose ch’egli avea fatte in Gerusalemme alla festa; poiché anch’essi erano andati alla festa.

46 Gesù dunque venne di nuovo a Cana di Galilea, dove avea cambiato l’acqua in vino. E v’era un certo ufficial reale, il cui figliuolo era infermo a Capernaum.

47 Come egli ebbe udito che Gesù era venuto dalla Giudea in Galilea, andò a lui e lo pregò che scendesse e guarisse il suo figliuolo, perché stava per morire.

48 Perciò Gesù gli disse: Se non vedete segni e miracoli, voi non crederete.

49 L’ufficial reale gli disse: Signore, scendi prima che il mio bambino muoia.

50 Gesù gli disse: Va’, il tuo figliuolo vive. Quell’uomo credette alla parola che Gesù gli avea detta, e se ne andò.

51 E come già stava scendendo, i suoi servitori gli vennero incontro e gli dissero: Il tuo figliuolo vive.

52 Allora egli domandò loro a che ora avesse cominciato a star meglio; ed essi gli risposero: Ieri, all’ora settima, la febbre lo lasciò.

53 Così il padre conobbe che ciò era avvenuto nell’ora che Gesù gli avea detto: Il tuo figliuolo vive; e credette lui con tutta la sua casa.

54 Questo secondo miracolo fece di nuovo Gesù, tornando dalla Giudea in Galilea.

Giovanni 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Christ's departure into Galilee. (1-3) His discourse with the Samaritan woman. (4-26) The effects of Christ's conversation with the woman of Samaria. (27-42) Christ heals the nobleman's son. (43-54)

Verses 1-3 Jesus applied himself more to preaching, which was the more ( 1 Corinthians. 1:17 ) his disciples, by employing them to baptize. He teaches us that the benefit of sacraments depends not on the hand that administers them.

Verses 4-26 There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ's road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go into places of temptation but when we needs must; and then must not dwell in them, but hasten through them. We have here our Lord Jesus under the common fatigue of travellers. Thus we see that he was truly a man. Toil came in with sin; therefore Christ, having made himself a curse for us, submitted to it. Also, he was a poor man, and went all his journeys on foot. Being wearied, he sat thus on the well; he had no couch to rest upon. He sat thus, as people wearied with travelling sit. Surely, we ought readily to submit to be like the Son of God in such things as these. Christ asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he did not show the anger of his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderate men of all sides are men wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teach her Divine things: he converted this woman, by showing her ignorance and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour. By this living water is meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah had been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature and necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Christ shows that the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction. Of whatever waters of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his soul. Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give it me, saith she, not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed, but that I come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in shifting off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely our Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severely reproved her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The power of his word in searching the heart, and convincing the conscience of secret things, is a proof of Divine authority. It should cool our contests, to think that the things we are striving about are passing away. The object of worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put to all differences about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult decency and convenience in the places of our worship; but religion gives no preference to one place above another, in respect of holiness and approval with God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures have obtained some knowledge of God, know whom they worship. The word of salvation was of the Jews. It came to other nations through them. Christ justly preferred the Jewish worship before the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as soon to be done away. God was about to be revealed as the Father of all believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified. The woman was disposed to leave the matter undecided, till the coming of the Messiah. But Christ told her, I that speak to thee, am He. She was an alien and a hostile Samaritan, merely speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus. Yet to this woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, if we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Verses 27-42 The disciples wondered that Christ talked thus with a Samaritan. Yet they knew it was for some good reason, and for some good end. Thus when particular difficulties occur in the word and providence of God, it is good to satisfy ourselves that all is well that Jesus Christ says and does. Two things affected the woman. The extent of his knowledge. Christ knows all the thoughts, words, and actions, of all the children of men. And the power of his word. He told her secret sins with power. She fastened upon that part of Christ's discourse, many would think she would have been most shy of repeating; but the knowledge of Christ, into which we are led by conviction of sin, is most likely to be sound and saving. They came to him: those who would know Christ, must meet him where he records his name. Our Master has left us an example, that we may learn to do the will of God as he did; with diligence, as those that make a business of it; with delight and pleasure in it. Christ compares his work to harvest-work. The harvest is appointed and looked for before it comes; so was the gospel. Harvest-time is busy time; all must be then at work. Harvest-time is a short time, and harvest-work must be done then, or not at all; so the time of the gospel is a season, which if once past, cannot be recalled. God sometimes uses very weak and unlikely instruments for beginning and carrying on a good work. Our Saviour, by teaching one poor woman, spread knowledge to a whole town. Blessed are those who are not offended at Christ. Those taught of God, are truly desirous to learn more. It adds much to the praise of our love to Christ and his word, if it conquers prejudices. Their faith grew. In the matter of it: they believed him to be the Saviour, not only of the Jews but of the world. In the certainty of it: we know that this is indeed the Christ. And in the ground of it, for we have heard him ourselves.

Verses 43-54 The father was a nobleman, yet the son was sick. Honours and titles are no security from sickness and death. The greatest men must go themselves to God, must become beggars. The nobleman did not stop from his request till he prevailed. But at first he discovered the weakness of his faith in the power of Christ. It is hard to persuade ourselves that distance of time and place, are no hinderance to the knowledge, mercy, and power of our Lord Jesus. Christ gave an answer of peace. Christ's saying that the soul lives, makes it alive. The father went his way, which showed the sincerity of his faith. Being satisfied, he did not hurry home that night, but returned as one easy in his own mind. His servants met him with the news of the child's recovery. Good news will meet those that hope in God's word. Diligent comparing the works of Jesus with his word, will confirm our faith. And the bringing the cure to the family brought salvation to it. Thus an experience of the power of one word of Christ, may settle the authority of Christ in the soul. The whole family believed likewise. The miracle made Jesus dear to them. The knowledge of Christ still spreads through families, and men find health and salvation to their souls.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 4

In this chapter the apostle cautions against seducing spirits; advises to try them, and gives rules by which they may be known, and by which they are distinguished from others; and then returns to his favourite subject, brotherly love. He exhorts the saints not to believe every man that came with a doctrine to them, but to try them, since there were many false teachers in the world; and gives a rule by which they may be tried and judged, as that whatever teacher owns Christ to be come in the flesh is of God, but he that does not is not of God, but is the spirit of antichrist that should come, and was in the world, 1Jo 4:1,2, but, for the comfort of those to whom he writes, he observes, that they were of God, and had overcome these false teachers, through the mighty power of the divine Spirit in them, who is greater than Satan, and all his emissaries, 1Jo 4:4. He distinguishes between seducing spirits, and faithful ministers of the word; the former are of the world, speak of worldly things, and worldly men hear them; but the latter are of God, and they that have any spiritual knowledge of God hear them; but such as are not of God do not heal them, by which may he known the spirit of truth from the spirit of error, 1Jo 4:5,6. And then the apostle returns to his former exhortation to brotherly love, which he enforces by the following reasons, because it is of God, a fruit of his Spirit and grace, and because it is an evidence of being born of God, and of having a true knowledge of him; whereas he that is destitute of it does not know him, seeing God is love, 1Jo 4:7,8, and having affirmed that God is love, he proves it, by the mission of his Son, to be a propitiation for the sins of such that did not love him, and that they might live through him; wherefore he argues, that if God had such a love to men, so undeserving of it, then the saints ought to love one another, 1Jo 4:9-11. Other arguments follow, engaging to it, as that God is invisible; and if he is to be loved, then certainly his people, who are visible; and that such who love one another, God dwells in them, and his love is perfected in them; and that he dwells in them is known by the gift of his Spirit to them, 1Jo 4:12,13, and that God the Father so loved the world, as to send his Son to be the Saviour of it, before asserted, is confirmed by the apostles, who were eyewitnesses of it; who also declare, that whoever confesses the sonship of Christ, God dwells in him, and he in God; and who had an assurance of the love of God to them, who is love itself; so that he that dwells in God, and God in him, dwells in love, 1Jo 4:14-16. And great are the advantages arising from hence, for hereby the saints' love to God is made perfect; they have boldness in the day of judgment, since as he is, so are they in this world, and fear is cast out by it, 1Jo 4:17,18, but lest too much should be thought to be ascribed to love, that is said to be owing to the love of God to them, which is prior to theirs to him, and the reason of it, 1Jo 4:19. And the chapter is closed with observing the contradiction there is between a profession of love to God, and hatred of the brethren, seeing God, who is invisible, cannot be loved, if brethren that are seen are hated; and also the commandment, that he that loves God should love his brother also, 1Jo 4:20,21.