The story of "the woman at the well" is found in John 4:1-26 in the King James Version (KJV) and is a significant event in Jesus' ministry.
Here's a breakdown of the passage:
**Context:** Jesus, after leaving Judea, goes to Galilee. He needs to pass through Samaria, a region dominated by Gentiles (non-Jews). This was not the usual route for Jews traveling between Jerusalem and Galilee, as they preferred to avoid Samaria altogether.
**The encounter:** Jesus arrives at a well in Sychar, a town in Samaria, around midday. He asks a Samaritan woman to give him a drink of water, which seems an unusual request since she is a Gentile and a woman (Jews did not typically interact with Gentiles or women in public). The woman is surprised that Jesus, a Jew, would ask her for a favor.
**The conversation:** As they engage in conversation, Jesus reveals His true nature: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14). The woman is puzzled and asks how Jesus could possibly know about her five previous marriages and current relationship with another man.
**The revelation:** Jesus responds by revealing His divine nature, saying, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22). The woman realizes that Jesus is a prophet and asks Him about the correct place of worship. Jesus answers that the time is coming when true worshipers will worship God in spirit and truth, without relying on physical locations.
**The outcome:** The woman leaves her water jar behind and returns to her town, sharing the good news with others: "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29). Many Samaritans believe in Jesus because of the woman's testimony.
**Meaning:** This passage has several significant meanings:
1. **Inclusive ministry:** Jesus' willingness to interact with a Gentile and a woman challenges traditional Jewish customs and shows His desire to reach out to those often marginalized.
2. **Spiritual thirst:** The story highlights our spiritual need for eternal life, which is fulfilled only through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. **Prophetic revelation:** Jesus reveals His divine nature and the truth about God's worship, foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah.
4. **Missionary impact:** The woman's testimony leads to a significant conversion event among the Samaritans, demonstrating the power of sharing one's faith with others.
The story of the woman at the well has been a powerful symbol of spiritual thirst and fulfillment throughout Christian history.
You're referring to the biblical account of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus Christ, as recorded in John 4:1-26 (King James Version).
According to this passage, the Samaritan woman had been married five times before meeting Jesus:
"And he cometh unto a city of Samaria, which is beside Jordan after that he heard that they of Samaria asked not for his coming. There was a woman of Samaria, which came to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink; for thou hast no husband.
The woman of Samaria said unto him, How dost thou, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am none of thy people, and she said unto him, The well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well? who drank of the saying of thee?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall never thirst: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. And the woman took her waterpot, and went her way."
It's not explicitly stated how many times she was married, but based on Jesus' conversation with her, we can infer that she had been married five times:
"Jesus said unto her, Thou hast yet five other husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that thou didst say, He is not my husband." (John 4:17)
So, while the passage doesn't provide a detailed account of her marital history, it implies that she had been married at least five times before meeting Jesus.
John 4:1-42 in the King James Version (KJV) is a significant passage in the Bible, often referred to as the "Wife of Sychar" or the "Woman at the Well." Here's a brief summary:
Jesus, tired from his journey, stops at Jacob's well, which is located near the town of Sychar. At this time, Samaria was considered an unwelcome place for Jews to visit (v. 3-4), as they saw themselves as superior to the Samaritans. However, Jesus, being God in human form, did not follow the conventional Jewish rules and instead spoke to a woman from Sychar.
Jesus asks the woman for water, but she is surprised that a Jew would even speak to her, let alone ask for a drink (v. 9). She also notes that he has no vessel (a common practice in those days) and that Jewish customs prohibited interacting with Samaritan women (v. 9).
The conversation between Jesus and the woman is remarkable. Jesus reveals his divine nature by asking the woman about her husband, to which she responds that she had none (v. 16-18). Jesus then tells her that she has had five husbands and is now living with someone who is not her husband (v. 17-18). This knowledge would have been considered miraculous in that time.
Jesus offers the woman spiritual water, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's righteousness rather than physical water (v. 13-14). The woman then leaves her water jar behind and runs back to the town, sharing with others what Jesus had told her about their past and present, inviting them to come and meet Him (v. 28-30).
The passage highlights several key points:
1. Jesus' willingness to interact with those considered untouchable or inferior is a demonstration of His love and compassion for all people.
2. Jesus' power to know the hearts of those He encounters is demonstrated through His revelation about the woman's past and present life.
3. The importance of seeking spiritual water, which is eternal and life-giving (v. 14), is emphasized.
4. The Samaritan woman becomes a missionary, sharing her encounter with others and inviting them to meet Jesus.
John 4:1-42 provides an excellent example of Jesus' character, His divine nature, and the transformative power of His teachings and encounters.
A great example!
The story of the woman caught in adultery, as recorded in John 7:53-8:11 (KJV), is a powerful and thought-provoking passage. Here's a brief summary:
1. The scene is set in Jerusalem during Passover, with Jesus teaching in the temple courts.
2. Some Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus, accusing her of committing adultery.
3. The law at the time required that adulterers be stoned (Leviticus 20:10-12).
4. Jesus' response is unexpected: He bends down and starts writing in the sand with his finger.
5. When the accusers pressure Him to give His opinion on whether the woman should be punished, Jesus looks up at them and says, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."
6. One by one, the accusers depart, ashamed of their own sinfulness.
7. The only one left is the woman's original accuser, who asks Jesus what she should do.
8. Jesus tells her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
This passage has been interpreted in many ways over the centuries, but some key themes emerge:
1. **The hypocrisy of religious leaders**: The Pharisees are caught in their own sinfulness, and Jesus exposes it by asking them to judge themselves first.
2. **Mercy and forgiveness**: Jesus offers the woman a chance to start anew, rather than punishing her according to the law.
3. **God's love for all people**: Despite the woman's clear transgression, Jesus shows compassion and encourages her to change her ways.
This story has been seen as a powerful illustration of God's mercy and justice, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility and the need for self-reflection before judging others.
The story of the "Woman at the Well" is a significant event in the Gospel of John, and it's often referred to as Jesus' first miracle (John 4:1-42). Here's a brief summary:
As Jesus travels through Samaria, He comes across a woman who is alone at a well. She's a Samaritan, which means she's from a different ethnic group than the Jews. The disciples have gone into town to buy food, leaving Jesus behind.
The woman approaches the well and meets Jesus, who asks her for water. In Jewish tradition, it was considered improper for a Jewish man to speak with a Samaritan woman, let alone ask her for a drink. This encounter is significant because Jesus breaks cultural barriers and shows kindness to someone who would normally be considered an outcast.
The conversation between Jesus and the woman becomes a powerful witness of God's love and redemption. Jesus shares His message of salvation with her, saying that He is the Messiah, the one prophesied by Isaiah 9:6-7 (John 4:25-26). The woman is amazed and responds by sharing her story, revealing her spiritual thirst and her many failed relationships.
Jesus reveals His divine nature by knowing all about her past and present. He then invites her to come and drink from the "living water" that He offers, which is eternal life through faith in Him (John 4:13-14). The woman quickly accepts Jesus' invitation and becomes a witness for Him, leaving her water jug behind as she goes to share the Good News with others.
The story of the "Woman at the Well" highlights several important themes:
1. Jesus' mission to all people: He crosses cultural and ethnic boundaries to share His message of salvation.
2. The importance of spiritual thirst: Just like the woman, many people are searching for fulfillment and meaning in life.
3. Redemption through faith: Jesus offers eternal life to anyone who believes in Him, regardless of their background or circumstances.
This powerful story has inspired countless individuals throughout history, including the apostle John, who wrote about it in his Gospel.
The story of the woman at the well is a powerful and iconic moment in the Bible, recorded in John 4:1-26. The account tells us that Jesus, exhausted from his journey, sat by a well in Samaria and met a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water.
This encounter is significant for several reasons:
1. **Racial barriers**: In Jesus' time, Jews did not typically interact with Samaritans, as they were considered inferior. The fact that Jesus engages with this woman shows his willingness to break down cultural and social barriers.
2. **Spiritual thirst**: The woman is physically thirsty, drawing water from the well. However, Jesus reveals himself as the Messiah, offering her living water (4:13-14). This represents spiritual thirst, which only Jesus can quench.
3. **Personal conversation**: Jesus initiates a personal conversation with the woman, showing interest in her life and struggles. He asks for a drink, which is unusual for a Jewish man to ask of a Samaritan woman. This interaction demonstrates Jesus' compassion and willingness to connect with people from all walks of life.
4. **Redemption**: The woman's response is remarkable. She recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (4:19) and quickly leaves her water jug behind, eager to share this news with others. Her encounter with Jesus leads to spiritual transformation and a desire to spread the good news.
The NKJV translation of John 4:28-29 reads:
"So the woman left her waterpot, and went her way to the city, and says to the men, 'Come, see a Man who told me all things that ever I did. Could this be the Christ?' Then those in the city came out to meet him, and they began to draw water at the well."
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is a beautiful and significant one in John's Gospel. Here's a brief summary:
In John chapter 4, Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee, where he encounters a Samaritan woman coming to draw water from Jacob's Well (John 4:5-6). The woman, who has had five husbands and is currently living with a man out of wedlock, approaches Jesus alone at the well. Despite their differences - as a Samaritan, she was considered an outsider by the Jews - Jesus engages her in conversation.
Jesus asks for water, but she's surprised that he doesn't ask her for a drink from the well, given that she's a woman (John 4:7-12). Jesus' response reveals his true nature and purpose: "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).
The Samaritan woman is intrigued by Jesus' words and begins to engage with him further. She shares her own story, including her many marriages and current situation, which reveals her spiritual emptiness. Jesus listens attentively and then shares the truth about God's plan for all nations, including the Samaritans (John 4:21-24).
The woman is overwhelmed by Jesus' words and realizes that he must be the Messiah she had been expecting. She leaves her water jar behind and goes to tell others in the town about Jesus, sharing her own testimony with them (John 4:28-29). This encounter marks the beginning of a significant movement of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ from Samaria and beyond.
This story is significant for several reasons:
1. **Jesus' willingness to engage with outsiders**: The Samaritan woman was considered an outcast by the Jewish community, yet Jesus still reached out to her with love and respect.
2. **The power of spiritual conversation**: Despite their differences, Jesus engaged the woman in a meaningful conversation that led her to understand the truth about God's plan for all nations.
3. **The importance of sharing one's testimony**: The Samaritan woman became an evangelist herself, sharing her own story with others and pointing them to Jesus Christ.
4. **The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies**: The encounter at the well foreshadows the coming of a Messiah who would bring salvation to all nations, not just the Jewish people.
Overall, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well is a beautiful illustration of Jesus' inclusive and redeeming love for all people.
A great choice!
John 1:1-14 (King James Version) reads:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all might believe through him.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world: and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
This passage is considered one of the most important in the Bible, as it introduces Jesus Christ as the divine Logos, or Word, who has always existed with God and is responsible for creating all things. It also speaks to the role of John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus' ministry.
The significance of this passage lies in its declaration that Jesus is not just a human being, but the very embodiment of God's divine nature. This sets the stage for the rest of the Gospel of John, which explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.