João 4
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 4
Henry: Shechem yielded the first proselyte that ever came into the congregation of Israel (Ge 24:24), and now it is the first place where the Gospel is preached out of the commonwealth of Israel; so Dr. Lightfoot observes. This unnamed woman reminds me of another despised Moabite woman named Ruth whose "hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz." (Ru 2:3-note) She just happened to arrive at Boaz's field and Boaz just happened to arrive at his field while she was gleaning, leading to a "chance romance" and to birth of a son who would be in the lineage of David and ultimately in the lineage of the Messiah! There is no such thing as chance in God's economy! He is sovereign and in total control of EVERYTHING, no exceptions! Tasker - The Samaritan woman is a timeless figure – not only a typical Samaritan but a typical human being. As she converses with Jesus, it becomes clear that like most men and women she is almost exclusively concerned with the provision of what will satisfy her physical needs, particularly thirst-quenching water which can often be obtained only by the expenditure of much time and energy. Brian Bell - Here His unsuspecting appointment arrives at a Samaritan well (1/2 m. out of town). A thirsty sun-parched woman, carrying a water-pot on her head Women normally drew water at dawn & dusk, the cooler hours of the day. It was time to visit & exchange news. But here we are at noon, the hottest time of the day, which hints to her reputation. Maybe braving the brazen sun to avoid the searing stares of the more reputable. She comes bearing an empty waterpot, a telling symbol of her parched, barren heart. Give Me a drink - The One who spoke forth Niagara; the One who shaped the Nile w/his finger nail in the sand; the One who could bring forth gallons of wine...now sits thirsty? Jesus said to her - Jesus a Jew speaking to a woman who even worse was a Samaritan shows us that His mission to save men and women transcends cultural and religious barriers. It did then and it still does! Samaritan women, like Gentiles, were considered to be in a continual state of ritual uncleanness. For example the Mishnah stated "Samaritan women are deemed menstruants from their cradle." (Niddah 4:1). It is interesting to observe the "role reversal" at play in this section - When the conversation begins, Jesus is the thirsty one, and she the one with the water. As the dialogue evolves Jesus spoke as if she were the thirsty one and He the one with the water. Max Alderman comments on give Me a drink - "The most uncommon one of all has a very common need! Yet in that humble request begins one of the greatest encounters of all time. Such a simple request was this. Yet in this simple request, He was able to build a bridge of communication from Himself to her that otherwise may have never taken place. When illustrating the very common aspect of thirst, Jesus was able to teach great spiritual truths. Throughout His ministry the application of common things characterized His teaching ministry. In this study, He uses the concept of thirst to teach how men are thirsty spiritually. He used the wind to teach about the Holy Spirit. He used the sower and the seed to teach evangelism. He identified with the fisherman and said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He performed a miracle involving bread to show that He was the “Bread of Life.” Abraham Lincoln said, “The Lord sure must have loved the common man, for He sure made a bunch of us.” The Lord, in His teachings, always puts the “cookies on the bottom shelf” where anyone who desires may have one. Thanks be unto God for the simple application of truth while using the common things." Spurgeon on give Me a drink - This was quite a natural way of beginning a conversation; and they will best touch other people’s minds and hearts who do not harshly interject religion, but who wisely introduce it, leading up to it with a holy dexterousness such as our Lord always exhibited. He begins, not with any remarks about the woman’s life, or her sin, or even about his great salvation, but with the simple request, “Give me to drink.” William
João 4:4-15
Henry: Shechem yielded the first proselyte that ever came into the congregation of Israel (Ge 24:24), and now it is the first place where the Gospel is preached out of the commonwealth of Israel; so Dr. Lightfoot observes. This unnamed woman reminds me of another despised Moabite woman named Ruth whose "hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz." (Ru 2:3-note) She just happened to arrive at Boaz's field and Boaz just happened to arrive at his field while she was gleaning, leading to a "chance romance" and to birth of a son who would be in the lineage of David and ultimately in the lineage of the Messiah! There is no such thing as chance in God's economy! He is sovereign and in total control of EVERYTHING, no exceptions! Tasker - The Samaritan woman is a timeless figure – not only a typical Samaritan but a typical human being. As she converses with Jesus, it becomes clear that like most men and women she is almost exclusively concerned with the provision of what will satisfy her physical needs, particularly thirst-quenching water which can often be obtained only by the expenditure of much time and energy. See study of Providence of God. Jesus said to her - Jesus a Jew speaking to a woman who even worse was a Samaritan shows us that His mission to save men and women transcends cultural and religious barriers. It did then and it still does! Brian Bell - The One Who spoke forth Niagara; the One who shaped the Nile with His finger nail in the sand; the One Who could bring forth gallons of wine… now sits thirsty! Samaritan women, like Gentiles, were considered to be in a continual state of ritual uncleanness. For example the Mishnah stated "Samaritan women are deemed menstruants from their cradle." (Niddah 4:1). It is interesting to observe the "role reversal" at play in this section - When the conversation begins, Jesus is the thirsty one, and she the one with the water. As the dialogue evolves Jesus spoke as if she were the thirsty one and He the one with the water. Max Alderman comments on give Me a drink - "The most uncommon one of all has a very common need! Yet in that humble request begins one of the greatest encounters of all time. Such a simple request was this. Yet in this simple request, He was able to build a bridge of communication from Himself to her that otherwise may have never taken place. When illustrating the very common aspect of thirst, Jesus was able to teach great spiritual truths. Throughout His ministry the application of common things characterized His teaching ministry. In this study, He uses the concept of thirst to teach how men are thirsty spiritually. He used the wind to teach about the Holy Spirit. He used the sower and the seed to teach evangelism. He identified with the fisherman and said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He performed a miracle involving bread to show that He was the “Bread of Life.” Abraham Lincoln said, “The Lord sure must have loved the common man, for He sure made a bunch of us.” The Lord, in His teachings, always puts the “cookies on the bottom shelf” where anyone who desires may have one. Thanks be unto God for the simple application of truth while using the common things." Spurgeon on give Me a drink - This was quite a natural way of beginning a conversation; and they will best touch other people’s minds and hearts who do not harshly interject religion, but who wisely introduce it, leading up to it with a holy dexterousness such as our Lord always exhibited. He begins, not with any remarks about the woman’s life, or her sin, or even about his great salvation, but with the simple request, “Give me to drink.” Paul Apple discusses different aspects of evangelism - Many different types of evangelism: Friendship, Confrontational, Visitation Programs, Crusades, Literature Distribution, etc. But how would you categorize Christ's dealing with the Samaritan woman at the well and her townspeople? Coin a phrase: "Opportunistic Evangelism" - being alert to seize every opportunity for evangelism (for both sowing and reaping) - being creative to turn the occasion towards spiritual things without forcing things - following the leading of the Holy Spirit Def. of "opportunistic" is usually negative: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances (fine so far -- we will stop with this) esp. with little regard for principles or consequences We minister with the highest possible regard for principles and consequences -- but we minister aggressively because our confidence is in the God who can change people's hearts. Jn 4:9 - Contact initiated without prejudice. Jn 4:10 - Curiosity stirred. John 4:11-12 - Confusion surfaces. Jn 4:13-14 Contrast defined (between physical and living water). (John Commentary - Believe and Live) Rich Cathers - He got thirsty. He even got tired. Illustration - Joseph Mallord Turner, English painter, invited Charles Kingsley to his studio to see a picture of a storm at sea. In rapt admiration, Kingsley exclaimed, “It’s wonderful! It’s so realistic! How did you do it?” The artist replied, “I went to the coast of Holland and engaged a fisherman to take me out to sea in the next storm. Entering his boat as a storm was brewing, I asked him to bind me to the mast. Then he steered his boat into the teeth of the storm. “The storm raged with such fury that at times I longed to be in the bottom of the boat where the waves would blow over me. I could not, however. I was bound to the mast. Not only did I see the storm in its raging fury, I felt it! It blew into me, as it were, until I became a part of it. After this terrible ordeal, I returned to my studio and painted the picture.” You could say that Mr. Turner “got it” when it came to storms. Jesus “gets it” when it comes to life. This means that we have someone to turn to when we encounter life’s storms. We have someone we can go to when we get tired. (Heb 4:16NKJV) He knows how to helps us. He understands. (John 4:1-14) John 4:8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.: oi gar mathetai autou apelelutheisan (PRAI) eis ten polin, hina trophas agorasosin. (AAS): Jn 6:5-7; Luke 9:13 For - A term of explanation - discipline yourself to pause and ponder what (why?, why now?, etc) is being explained. It will literally change the way you read the Bible as there are thousands of terms of explanation. Expositor's says ". This gives the reason for the request." His disciples had gone away - As noted this is part of God's providential outworking of this incredible divine drama. Into the city to buy food - This is an interesting, somewhat surprising, statement that the disciples were willing to purchase food from Samaritans, something strict Jews would not have been willing to do. For example, in the Mishnah records this statement - “R. Eliezer used to say, ‘One who eats bread [baked by] Samaritans is like one who eats pork.’ " (Shebiit 8:10 A) Buy (59)(agorazo from agora = the market place, place of public assembly, town square where things such as slaves were presented for sale or where trials were held) literally means to buy or make purchases in the marketplace, doing business in the agora (Mt 13:44), acquiring something (goods or services) in exchange for money, transferring ownership from seller to buyer. THE JESUS WAY: Introducing a Person to Jesus (1) Go to where the non-Christians are found (Jn 4:4) (2) Speak to them with respect and not with a sense of superiority or in a patronizing way (Jn 4:7) (3) Meet them where they are, focusing especially on any need you can discern in them (Jn 4:10) (4) Speak about God's great gift (not necessarily quoting verses but just telling them that God has a free gift) (Jn 4:10) (5) Try to use illustrations or pictures from daily life (Jn 4:10-12) (6) Tell them of the real satisfaction available to meet one's needs (Jn 4:14) (7) Give them an opening to be honest about their sin (which speaks of their greatest need) (Jn 4:16) (8) Don't be sidetracked (Jn 4:11-12, 19-21) (9) Try to differentiate genuine concerns or questions from those that are not (Jn 4:25) (10) Answer questions with the truth about Jesus (Jn 4:26) (11) Don't fear potential results (Jn 4:29-30) (12) Encourage them to share with others what you have shared with them (Jn 4:39) (13) Most importantly, imitate the Jesus Way but making people and their need for salvation your highest priority (I have found when I pray for people to be saved, I often get opportunities to share Jesus with them). (Jn 4:34-35). John 4:9 Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans): legei (PAI) oun auto e gune e Samaritis, Pos su Ioudaios on (PAP) par' emou pein (AAN) aiteis (PAI) gunaikos Samaritidos ouses? (PAP) {ou gar sugchrontai (PMI) Ioudaioi Samaritais.: Jn 4:27; 8:48; Luke 10:33; 17:16-19 2 Kings 17:24-41; Ezra 4:1-24; Nehemiah 4:1,2; Luke 9:52-56; Acts 1:8; 10:28 Therefore (oun) - To reiterate, it is always a good practice in reading God's Word, to pause and ponder this term of conclusion. This simple discipline serves to engage your mind and causes you to slow down and allow your Teacher, the Spirit, more time to illuminate the Scripture. A T Robertson on the Samaritan Woman - Different idiom from that in John 4:7, “the woman the Samaritan.” The Samaritans were a mixture by intermarriage of the Jews left in the land (2Chronicles 30:6, 2Chronicles 30:10; 2Chronicles 34:9) with colonists from Babylon and other regions sent by Shalmaneser. They had had a temple of their own on Mt. Gerizim and still worshipped there. (Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament) How is it… ask me for a drink - Jesus ignores her question and as seen in the next verse immediately shifts the conversation to spiritual matters. How interesting that the text never mentions her name. We'll meet her in heaven, but for now she remains anonymous. Max Alderman comments on her anonymity - The unidentified woman at the well could have been anyone. She could symbolize the unknown by-product of this worldly system who has tried many ways to satisfy the deep thirst of her carnal nature. Her name is not important here; her need is! She recognizes that she is perceived as a member of an inferior race… In many ways she was the contaminated scum and the filth of the earth, but Jesus did not label or indict her that way; He simply honored her as a fellow human being and asked for a drink of water. This wonderful trait of Christ revealed in our study shows how sympathetic He is to others. It shows how considerate He is of others and how unprejudiced He is of others. Boa - The woman is a timeless figure because like most men and women she’s almost exclusively concerned with the provision of what will satisfy physical needs, not spiritual needs- particularly the idea of Christ quenching water which can be obtained only by the expenditure of a good deal of time and energy in that particular culture. As a consequence then she is really more concerned for the welfare of her body more than the welfare of her soul. In that way she points beyond to ourselves because we’re often in that condition too. (John - Chapter 4) James Smith - An Awakened Questioner. "How is it that Thou… askest of me?" etc. (John 4:9). As soon as she comes into His presence her curiosity is aroused. Whoever could come into touch with Christ without being moved in one way or another. Yet some dare to pronounce Him nothing more than human. This Samaritan knew that He was a Jew, although the Jews, in their hate, declared that He was a Samaritan (John 8:48). It is interesting to note that it was the un-Jewish largeheartedness of Christ that first awakened her interest in Him. This is His chief characteristic as the Saviour of sinners. (John 4-1-30 The Woman Of Samaria) Ask me for a drink - The woman was shocked that Jesus did not seem to know that even her water jar was considered unclean by His fellow Jews! You being a Jew - It is ironic that Samaritans in John’s Gospel call Jesus “a Jew,” while the Jews call Him “a Samaritan” (Jn 8:48)! By way of Johannine irony, this attests to Jesus’ otherworldly nature. For (gar) is a term of explanation (see discussion), which should always prompt at least the question "What is the writer explaining?" Jews have no dealings with Samaritans - The Greek word for "no" is "ou" which means absolute negation. She understood clearly that Jews totally shunned all contact with Samaritans. The disciples’ astonishment in Jn 4:27 underscores the Jewish aversion of Samaritans. Gary Burge comments on the fact that she is a woman - In this world men rarely speak to women in public, even if they are married to them. Single men never speak to or touch women at any time… Today in the outlaying villages of the Arab Middle East, these values are still at work. I have mistakenly addressed women in remote Palestinian villages (not far from ancient Shechem), to my own and the woman’s embarrassment and the shock of the village men.