John 4:1-42 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,… I. THE JOURNEY. 1. The occasion (ver. 1; cf. Isaiah 51:13). 2. The route. There were four routes (Matthew 19:2; Acts 23:23). The Jews usually chose that by the Jordan valley, to avoid Samaria. 3. The reason (Luke 9:10). 4. The rest. Notice Christ's humanity. II. THE MEETING. 1. The woman — (1) A Samaritan; (2) with some knowledge of God (ver. 20); (3) expecting the Messiah (ver. 25). 2. The time. Midday. Not the usual hour for drawing water; but a time for such an one to do so unobserved. 3. The request. Compliance with it would have done honour to an archangel. Christ placed Him- self in the position of one desiring a benefit. 4. The reply (ver. 9). This man is not like other Jews. III. THE CONVERSION. 1. The first flash of light (ver. 10; cf. Ephesians 5:14). Water is sold in Egypt as the "gift of God." 2. Its reception (vers. 11, 12). The woman is perplexed, and seems to struggle between the literal and the spiritual. She changes her mode of address — "Sir." Our Lord takes no notice of her query, but addresses her state of mind. 3. The leading on (vers. 13, 14). The woman's desire is intensified. The light becomes obscured. How true a picture of an awakening soul I 4. The revelation (ver. 16). The request is granted in Christ's way, not in her's. He flashes light on her soul and her past (vers. 18, 29). 5. Her anxious inquiry (vers. 19, 20). How is salvation to be obtained? Not by forms, places, etc. 6. The gift received (vers. 25, 26). IV. THE EFFECT (ver. 28). She hastens away a saved sinner to save others (John 1:41-45). See a mark of her change, as showing its reality in the fuluess of her confession (ver. 29; cf. ver. 17; Luke 19:8; Luke 23:41; Romans 10:10). (J. Gill.) Parallel Verses KJV: When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, |
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