John 4

The Woman at the Well

Jesus and His disciples had been in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When it was time to return to Galilee they went through a part of the country called Samaria (see accompanying map). The Samaritans and the Jews were not friendly toward one another. The Jews considered the Samaritans “unclean” (see Bible Dictionary, “Samaritans,” p. 768). Sometimes a Jew would even travel a day or two out of his way to avoid Samaria. As you read John 4, consider what Jesus taught about those traditions, both by what He said and by what He did. Be sure to note the important Joseph Smith Translation changes for this chapter.

map of Galilee

Great Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

Galilee

Perea

Samaria

Judea

Sea of Galilee

Nazareth

Sychar

Jerusalem

Dead Sea

Jordan

Understanding the Scriptures

John 4

Sixth hour (v. 6)About noon

Draw water (v. 7)Get water out of the well

Perceive (v. 19)See, understand

Messias (v. 25)Messiah (see “Understanding the Scriptures” for John 1:41, p. 76)

Upon this (v. 27)At this time

Meat (v. 32)Food (in the scriptures, the word meat almost always means “food”; the word for what we call meat is usually flesh)

Ought (v. 33)Anything

Reapeth (v. 36)Harvests

Besought (vv. 40, 47)Asked

Ere (v. 49)Before

Amend (v. 52)Get well

Seventh hour (v. 52)About 1:00 P.M.

John 4:12—“Our Father Jacob”

The Samaritans and the Jews were both descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. Father means “forefather,” or ancestor.

John 4:22—“Salvation Is of the Jews”

Jesus did not mean that the religion of the Jews, as practiced by the Pharisees and Sadducees, would bring people salvation. At one time it contained the saving ordinances, doctrines, and practices but men had changed them. Jesus was a Jew by His mother, and it was He who brought salvation. The name Jesus means “salvation.”

John 4:24—“God Is a Spirit”

We know from other passages of scripture, and especially from modern revelation, that God’s spirit is clothed in a resurrected and glorified body of flesh and bones (see Genesis 1:26–27; Luke 24:39; D&C 130:22). Notice how the Joseph Smith Translation clarifies the meaning of this verse (see JST, John 4:24).

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study John 4.

1. A Gradual Conversion

   As you read John 4:5–42 you can learn how one woman came to gain a testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, or Christ.

   1. List what the Samaritan woman called Jesus in verses 9, 11, 15, 19, and 29?

   2. What do you notice about what she called Jesus the more she talked with Him and the more she came to know about Him?

   3. What did she do after she understood who He really was? What was the result? (see especially vv. 28–30, 39–42).

   4. Write about ways your testimony has grown. Include something about why you think it has grown.

2. Be a Missionary

   What would you say to an investigator who asked you to explain why we teach that God has a physical body when John 4:24 says that “God is a Spirit.” Use at least two scriptures in your response. (You may want to use the Topical Guide for help.)

3. A Journal Entry

   Imagine you were one of the disciples with Jesus during the events told in John 4. Write what might be part of your journal entry telling what you learned by being with Jesus that day. Include something about what Jesus directly taught in verses 31–38. Also try to include some less obvious lessons.