John 4:23-24 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth… The expression is peculiar. There is something like it in the sentence, "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10). It seems to show the exceeding compassion of the Father, and His infinite willingness to save souls. He does not merely "wait" for men to come to Him. He "seeks" for them. It also shows the wide opening of God the Father's mercy under the gospel. He no longer confines His grace to the Jews. He now seeks and desires to gather in everywhere true worshippers out of every nation. (Bp. Ryle.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. |