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John 4

54 verses

TL;DR

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, offers her the promise of living water, and reveals Himself as the Messiah, leading the Samaritans to believe; he later heals a nobleman’s son.

Summary

Jesus departs Judea for Galilee and passes through Samaria, where he meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He requests water, which seems odd because Jews and Samaritans did not normally interact. Jesus tells her about ‘living water’ that will quench spiritual thirst forever, and the woman realizes he is a prophet. He reveals that the proper place of worship will not be in a mountain or Jerusalem but in spirit and truth, and declares himself to be the Messiah. The woman tells the Samaritans, and many believe in Jesus. They ask him to stay, and he stays two days, and more people believe. Then Jesus heals a nobleman’s son at Capernaum, demonstrating that faith brings healing.

Outline
  1. 1. Jesus meets the Samaritan woman and offers living water
  2. 2. He reveals His identity as Messiah and redefines worship
  3. 3. Samaritans believe; Jesus heals a nobleman’s son
Themes
living water as eternal lifebreaking cultural and religious boundariesfaith leading to healing and revelation of the Messiah
Keywords
living waterfaithMessiahworshipSamariaSamaritanspirittruthJacob’s wellGalileeCapernaumnobleman
People
Jesuswoman of SamariaSamaritansPhariseesJacobJosephnoblemanhis sondisciples
Places
SamariaSycharJacob’s wellGalileeCanaCapernaumJerusalem
Things
living waterwellspirit and truthfaithmeat
Key Verses
  • John 4:10: Jesus introduces the concept of living water and its promise of eternal life
  • John 4:23-24: Jesus redefines true worship as in spirit and truth, breaking ritual norms
  • John 4:26: Jesus declares himself as the Messiah, revealing his divine identity
  • John 4:39-40: Samities’ belief after the woman’s testimony illustrates the spread of faith
  • John 4:54: Illustrates Jesus’ healing power beyond Judea, demonstrating the breadth of his ministry
Questions
  • What does ‘living water’ symbolize in the context of Jesus’ teaching?
  • How does Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman challenge contemporary social boundaries?
  • What implications does Jesus’ statement about worship in spirit and truth have for modern faith practice?
  • How does the miracle at Capernaum demonstrate the relationship between faith and healing?
  • In what ways does the Samaritan testimony at Sychar influence the spread of early Christianity?
Sentiment

positive
Encouraging message of inclusion, faith, and hope.