Johannes 4

1 Da nun der HERR inneward, daß vor die Pharisäer gekommen war, wie Jesus mehr Jünger machte und taufte denn Johannes

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

3 verließ er das Land Judäa und zog wieder nach Galiläa.

4 Er mußte aber durch Samaria reisen.

5 Da kam er in eine Stadt Samarias, die heißt Sichar, nahe bei dem Feld, das Jakob seinem Sohn Joseph gab.

6 Es war aber daselbst Jakobs Brunnen. Da nun Jesus müde war von der Reise, setzte er sich also auf den Brunnen; und 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 in die Stadt gegangen, daß sie Speise kauften.)

9 Spricht nun das samaritische Weib zu ihm: Wie bittest du von mir zu trinken, so du ein Jude bist, und ich ein samaritisch Weib? (Denn die Juden haben keine Gemeinschaft mit den Samaritern.)

10 Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihr: Wenn du erkenntest die Gabe Gottes und wer der ist, der zu dir sagt: "Gib mir zu trinken!", du bätest ihn, und er gäbe dir lebendiges Wasser.

11 Spricht zu ihm das Weib: HERR, hast du doch nichts, womit du schöpfest, und der Brunnen ist tief; woher hast du denn lebendiges Wasser?

12 Bist du mehr denn unser Vater Jakob, der uns diesen Brunnen gegeben hat? Und er hat daraus getrunken und seine Kinder und sein Vieh.

13 Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihr: Wer von diesem Wasser trinkt, den wir wieder dürsten;

14 wer aber von dem Wasser trinken wird, das ich ihm gebe, den wird ewiglich nicht dürsten; sondern das Wasser, das ich ihm geben werde, das wird in ihm ein Brunnen des Wassers werden, das in das ewige Leben quillt.

15 Spricht das Weib zu ihm: HERR, gib mir dieses Wasser, auf daß mich nicht dürste und ich nicht herkommen müsse, zu schöpfen!

16 Jesus spricht zu ihr: Gehe hin, rufe deinen Mann und komm her!

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

18 Fünf Männer hast du gehabt, und den du nun hast, der ist nicht dein Mann; da hast du recht gesagt.

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

20 Unsere Väter haben auf diesem Berge angebetet, und ihr sagt, zu Jerusalem sei die Stätte, da man anbeten solle.

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

22 Ihr wisset nicht, was ihr anbetet; wir wissen aber, was wir anbeten, denn das Heil kommt von den Juden.

23 Aber es kommt die Zeit und ist schon jetzt, daß die wahrhaftigen Anbeter werden den Vater anbeten im Geist und in der Wahrheit; denn der Vater will haben, die ihn also anbeten.

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

25 Spricht das Weib zu ihm: Ich weiß, daß der Messias kommt, der da Christus heißt. Wenn derselbe kommen wird, so wird er's uns alles verkündigen.

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

27 Und über dem kamen seine Jünger, und es nahm sie wunder, daß er mit dem Weib redete. Doch sprach niemand: Was fragst du? oder: Was redest du mit ihr?

28 Da ließ das Weib ihren Krug stehen und ging hin in die Stadt und spricht zu den Leuten:

29 Kommt, seht einen Menschen, der mir gesagt hat alles, was ich getan habe, ob er nicht Christus sei!

30 Da gingen sie aus der Stadt und kamen zu ihm.

31 Indes aber ermahnten ihn die Jünger und sprachen: Rabbi, iß!

32 Er aber sprach zu ihnen: Ich habe eine Speise zu essen, von der ihr nicht wisset.

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

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

35 Saget ihr nicht: Es sind noch vier Monate, so kommt die Ernte? Siehe, ich sage euch: Hebet eure Augen auf und sehet in das Feld; denn es ist schon weiß zur Ernte.

36 Und wer da schneidet, der empfängt Lohn und sammelt Frucht zum ewigen Leben, auf daß sich miteinander freuen, der da sät und der da schneidet.

37 Denn hier ist der Spruch wahr: Dieser sät, der andere schneidet.

38 Ich habe euch gesandt, zu schneiden, was ihr nicht gearbeitet habt; andere haben gearbeitet und ihr seid in ihre Arbeit gekommen.

39 Es glaubten aber an ihn viele der Samariter aus der Stadt um des Weibes Rede willen, welches da zeugte: Er hat mir gesagt alles, was ich getan habe.

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

41 Und viel mehr glaubten um seines Wortes willen

42 und sprachen zum Weibe: Wir glauben nun hinfort nicht um deiner Rede willen; wir haben selber gehört und erkannt, daß dieser ist wahrlich Christus, der Welt Heiland.

43 Aber nach zwei Tagen zog er aus von dannen und zog nach Galiläa.

44 Denn er selber, Jesus, zeugte, daß ein Prophet daheim nichts gilt.

45 Da er nun nach Galiläa kam, nahmen ihn die Galiläer auf, die gesehen hatten alles, was er zu Jerusalem auf dem Fest getan hatte; denn sie waren auch zum Fest gekommen.

46 Und Jesus kam abermals gen Kana in Galiläa, da er das Wasser hatte zu Wein gemacht.

47 Und es war ein Königischer, des Sohn lag krank zu Kapernaum. Dieser hörte, daß Jesus kam aus Judäa nach Galiläa, und ging hin zu ihm und bat ihn, daß er hinabkäme und hülfe seinem Sohn; denn er war todkrank.

48 Und Jesus sprach zu ihm: Wenn ihr nicht Zeichen und Wunder seht, so glaubet ihr nicht.

49 Der Königische sprach zu ihm: HERR, komm hinab, ehe denn mein Kind stirbt!

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

51 Und indem er hinabging, begegneten ihm seine Knechte, verkündigten ihm und sprachen: Dein Kind lebt.

52 Da forschte er von ihnen die Stunde, in welcher es besser mit ihm geworden war. Und sie sprachen zu ihm: Gestern um die siebente Stunde verließ ihn das Fieber.

53 Da merkte der Vater, daß es um die Stunde wäre, in welcher Jesus zu ihm gesagt hatte: Dein Sohn lebt. Und er glaubte mit seinem ganzen Hause.

54 Das ist nun das andere Zeichen, das Jesus tat, da er aus Judäa nach Galiläa kam.

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.