John 4:20

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem."

Study Bible

Our fathers
This phrase refers to the Samaritan ancestors, who were a mixed population of Israelites and foreigners. The Samaritans claimed descent from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and they held onto certain traditions and religious practices distinct from the Jews. The use of "our fathers" indicates a deep-rooted cultural and religious identity that the Samaritan woman is expressing, highlighting the historical division between Samaritans and Jews.

worshiped
The Greek word used here is "προσκυνέω" (proskuneo), which means to bow down or to prostrate oneself in reverence. This act of worship is not merely a physical gesture but a profound expression of devotion and submission to God. The Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim, which they considered a sacred site, emphasizing the importance of location in their religious practice.

on this mountain
This refers to Mount Gerizim, which held significant religious importance for the Samaritans. Archaeological evidence suggests that a temple once stood on this mountain, serving as the center of Samaritan worship. The mountain's mention underscores the historical and theological conflict between Samaritans and Jews, as the latter considered Jerusalem the rightful place of worship.

but you Jews say
This phrase highlights the tension and division between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Jews, who followed the teachings of the Torah, believed that worship should be centralized in Jerusalem, where Solomon's Temple was located. This statement by the Samaritan woman reflects the longstanding debate over the correct location for worship, a debate rooted in differing interpretations of Scripture and tradition.

that the place where one must worship
The emphasis on "the place" underscores the importance both groups placed on the physical location of worship. For the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God's presence, as established in the Old Testament. This belief in a specific, divinely chosen location for worship was central to Jewish religious identity and practice.

is in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, was the spiritual and political heart of Jewish life. It was home to the Temple, the center of Jewish worship and sacrifice. The insistence on Jerusalem as the place of worship reflects the Jewish understanding of God's covenant with Israel, which included the establishment of Jerusalem as the holy city. This belief was deeply ingrained in Jewish theology and was a point of contention with the Samaritans, who had their own sacred site.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Samaritan Woman
A resident of Samaria who engages in a theological discussion with Jesus at Jacob's well. Her question reflects the historical and religious tensions between Samaritans and Jews.

2. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, who offers a new understanding of worship that transcends traditional locations and practices.

3. Mount Gerizim
The mountain in Samaria where the Samaritans built a temple and worshiped, believing it to be the rightful place of worship.

4. Jerusalem
The city where the Jewish temple was located, considered by Jews to be the only legitimate place for worship.

5. Historical Context
The longstanding division between Jews and Samaritans, rooted in differing beliefs about the proper location for worship and other theological issues.

Teaching Points

Understanding Worship
Worship is not confined to a specific location but is a matter of the heart and spirit. True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.

Breaking Down Barriers
Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman demonstrates His mission to break down ethnic and religious barriers, inviting all to a relationship with God.

Historical Context Matters
Understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical events enriches our comprehension of the text and its implications.

Unity in Diversity
The passage encourages believers to seek unity in worship, focusing on shared faith rather than differences in tradition or practice.

Personal Reflection
Consider where and how you worship. Are you focused on external practices, or are you engaging with God in spirit and truth?

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the historical conflict between Jews and Samaritans enhance our understanding of the Samaritan woman's question to Jesus?

2. In what ways does Jesus' teaching on worship in John 4:21-24 challenge our modern understanding of worship practices?

3. How can we apply the principle of worshiping in spirit and truth in our daily lives and church communities?

4. What barriers (cultural, denominational, etc.) exist today that might hinder true worship, and how can we overcome them?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced worship that transcended location or tradition. What made it meaningful, and how can you seek similar experiences?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 12:5
Discusses the place God will choose for His name to dwell, which the Jews understood to be Jerusalem.

2 Kings 17:29-41
Provides background on the origins of Samaritan worship practices and their syncretism.

John 4:21-24
Jesus' response to the Samaritan woman, emphasizing worship in spirit and truth, not confined to a specific location.

Acts 1:8
Jesus' command to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, highlighting the expansion of worship beyond traditional boundaries.