Jesus and His disciples were in the Judean countryside when the Samaritan woman’s story begins (John 3:22). As He travelled from Judea to Galilee, the passage informs us that Christ had to pass through Samaria (John 4:4).
Given that Samaritans were a mixed-race group of Jews and Gentiles who both had strong anti-Samaritan sentiments, it was unfamiliar for Jews to act in this way.
John 4:5-6 accounts “So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field ethat Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water…”
Most women of the locality would mostly come in the morning or late at night to fetch water from the well. However, the woman approaches the well in search of water after Jesus has sent His followers away as we can very well record in John 4:8.
The narrative goes on to reveal that this woman frequently visits the well at this time of day (John 4:15). She has been married five times and is still living with her partner, which is an unrepentant sin in Christianity (John 4:16-18).
These conditions suggest that she wanted to avoid being embarrassed by going to the well in front of other women. However, Christ deliberately intended to meet this particular woman at this particular time.
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What Happened Between The Woman and Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ reveals Himself to the Samaritan lady three times in conversation. Christ first makes Himself known as the Living Water (John 4:13-14). The Samaritan woman is asked for a drink, and He responds by giving her something better.
He says; “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” – John 4:10
Jesus Christ is the Living Water that she needs, the wellspring of life. Next, Christ is revealed as a prophet. John 4:16-19 says:
“He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.’”
The woman was shocked by the words of Jesus Christ and the reveal of her own sins. She began to know who Christ really was. He went on to show her that his words are true. Jesus is then revealed as the Messiah.
“I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” – John 4: 24-26
Jesus Christ’s meeting with this woman highlights some core beliefs that our modern world today must learn from.
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What Is the Significance Of The Woman At the Well?
The Samaritan woman’s story, commonly referred to as the woman at the well, draws attention to the main ideas of the Gospel. Christ shows His concern for every one of us, regardless of our social status, by approaching the woman in the story. The woman’s enthusiasm for spreading the good news about Jesus can also serve as an example for us.
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