Johannes 4

1 Als nun der Herr erkannte, daß die Pharisäer gehört hatten, daß Jesus mehr Jünger mache und taufe als Johannes

2 (wiewohl Jesus selbst nicht taufte, sondern seine Jünger),

3 verließ er Judäa und zog wieder nach Galiläa.

4 Er mußte aber durch Samaria ziehen.

5 Er kommt nun in eine Stadt Samarias, genannt Sichar, nahe bei dem Felde, welches Jakob seinem Sohne Joseph gab.

6 Es war aber daselbst eine Quelle Jakobs. Jesus nun, ermüdet von der Reise, setzte sich also an die Quelle nieder. Es war um die sechste Stunde.

7 Da kommt ein Weib aus Samaria, Wasser zu schöpfen. Jesus spricht zu ihr: Gib mir zu trinken.

8 (Denn seine Jünger waren weggegangen in die Stadt, um Speise zu kaufen.)

9 Das samaritische Weib spricht nun zu ihm: Wie bittest du, der du ein Jude bist, von mir zu trinken, die ich ein samaritisches Weib bin? (Denn die Juden verkehren nicht mit den Samaritern.)

10 Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihr: Wenn du die Gabe Gottes kenntest, und wer es ist, der zu dir spricht: Gib mir zu trinken, so würdest du ihn gebeten haben, und er hätte dir lebendiges Wasser gegeben.

11 Das Weib spricht zu ihm: Herr, du hast kein Schöpfgefäß, und der Brunnen ist tief; woher hast du denn das lebendige Wasser?

12 Du bist doch nicht größer als unser Vater Jakob, der uns den Brunnen gab, und er selbst trank aus demselben und seine Söhne und sein Vieh?

13 Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihr: Jeden, der von diesem Wasser trinkt, wird wiederum dürsten;

14 wer irgend aber von dem Wasser trinken wird, das ich ihm geben werde, den wird nicht dürsten in Ewigkeit; sondern das Wasser, das ich ihm geben werde, wird in ihm eine Quelle Wassers werden, das ins ewige Leben quillt.

15 Das Weib spricht zu ihm: Herr, gib mir dieses Wasser, damit mich nicht dürste und ich nicht hierher komme, um zu schöpfen.

16 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Gehe hin, rufe deinen Mann und komm hierher.

17 Das Weib antwortete und sprach: Ich habe keinen Mann. Jesus spricht zu ihr: Du hast recht gesagt: Ich habe keinen Mann;

18 denn fünf Männer hast du gehabt, und der, den du jetzt hast, ist nicht dein Mann; hierin hast du wahr geredet.

19 Das Weib spricht zu ihm: Herr, ich sehe, daß du ein Prophet bist.

20 Unsere Väter haben auf diesem Berge angebetet, und ihr saget, daß in Jerusalem der Ort sei, wo man anbeten müsse.

21 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Weib, glaube mir, es kommt die Stunde, da ihr weder auf diesem Berge, noch in Jerusalem den Vater anbeten werdet.

22 Ihr betet an und wisset nicht, was; wir beten an und wissen, was, denn das Heil ist aus den Juden.

23 Es kommt aber die Stunde und ist jetzt, da die wahrhaftigen Anbeter den Vater in Geist und Wahrheit anbeten werden; denn auch der Vater sucht solche als seine Anbeter.

24 Gott ist ein Geist, und die ihn anbeten, müssen in Geist und Wahrheit anbeten.

25 Das Weib spricht zu ihm: Ich weiß, das der Messias kommt, welcher Christus genannt wird; wenn jener kommt, wird er uns alles verkündigen.

26 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Ich bin's, der mit dir redet.

27 Und über diesem kamen seine Jünger und verwunderten sich, daß er mit einem Weibe redete. Dennoch sagte niemand: Was suchst du? oder: Was redest du mit ihr?

28 Das Weib nun ließ ihren Wasserkrug stehen und ging weg in die Stadt und sagt zu den Leuten:

29 Kommet, sehet einen Menschen, der mir alles gesagt hat, was irgend ich getan habe; dieser ist doch nicht etwa der Christus?

30 Sie gingen zu der Stadt hinaus und kamen zu ihm.

31 In der Zwischenzeit aber baten ihn die Jünger und sprachen: Rabbi, iß.

32 Er aber sprach zu ihnen: Ich habe eine Speise zu essen, die ihr nicht kennet.

33 Da sprachen die Jünger zueinander: Hat ihm wohl jemand zu essen gebracht?

34 Jesus spricht zu ihnen: Meine Speise ist, daß ich den Willen dessen tue, der mich gesandt hat, und sein Werk vollbringe.

35 Saget ihr nicht: Es sind noch vier Monate, und die Ernte kommt? Siehe, ich sage euch: Hebet eure Augen auf und schauet die Felder an, denn sie sind schon weiß zur Ernte.

36 Der da erntet, empfängt Lohn und sammelt Frucht zum ewigen Leben, auf daß beide, der da sät und der da erntet, zugleich sich freuen.

37 Denn hierin ist der Spruch wahr: Ein anderer ist es, der da sät, und ein anderer, der da erntet.

38 Ich habe euch gesandt, zu ernten, woran ihr nicht gearbeitet habt; andere haben gearbeitet, und ihr seid in ihre Arbeit eingetreten.

39 Aus jener Stadt aber glaubten viele von den Samaritern an ihn um des Wortes des Weibes willen, welches bezeugte: Er hat mir alles gesagt, was irgend ich getan habe.

40 Als nun die Samariter zu ihm kamen, baten sie ihn, bei ihnen zu bleiben; und er blieb daselbst zwei Tage.

41 Und noch viele mehr glaubten um seines Wortes willen;

42 und sie sagten zu dem Weibe: Wir glauben nicht mehr um deines Redens willen, denn wir selbst haben gehört und wissen, daß dieser wahrhaftig der Heiland der Welt ist.

43 Nach den zwei Tagen aber zog er von dannen aus und ging hin nach Galiläa;

44 denn Jesus selbst bezeugte, daß ein Prophet in dem eigenen Vaterlande keine Ehre hat.

45 Als er nun nach Galiläa kam, nahmen die Galiläer ihn auf, da sie alles gesehen, was er in Jerusalem auf dem Feste getan hatte; denn auch sie kamen zu dem Fest.

46 Er kam nun wiederum nach Kana in Galiläa, wo er das Wasser zu Wein gemacht hatte. Und es war ein gewisser königlicher Beamter, dessen Sohn krank war, in Kapernaum.

47 Als dieser gehört hatte, daß Jesus aus Judäa nach Galiläa gekommen sei, ging er zu ihm hin und bat ihn , daß er herabkomme und seinen Sohn heile; denn er lag im Sterben.

48 Jesus sprach nun zu ihm: Wenn ihr nicht Zeichen und Wunder sehet, so werdet ihr nicht glauben.

49 Der königliche Beamte spricht zu ihm: Herr, komm herab, ehe mein Kind stirbt!

50 Jesus spricht zu ihm: Gehe hin, dein Sohn lebt. Und der Mensch glaubte dem Worte, das Jesus zu ihm sagte, und ging hin.

51 Aber schon während er hinabging, begegneten ihm seine Knechte und berichteten, daß sein Knabe lebe.

52 Er erforschte nun von ihnen die Stunde, in welcher es besser mit ihm geworden sei; und sie sagten zu ihm: Gestern zur siebten Stunde verließ ihn das Fieber.

53 Da erkannte der Vater, daß es in jener Stunde war, in welcher Jesus zu ihm sagte: Dein Sohn lebt. Und er glaubte, er und sein ganzes Haus.

54 Dies tat Jesus wiederum als zweites Zeichen, als er aus Judäa nach Galiläa gekommen war.

Johannes 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.