What does John 4:40 mean?
One can only imagine how rattled the disciples must have been at this turn of events. Samaritans were ethnic and religious half-breeds. As a result, most Jews despised them and refused to have any unnecessary contact with them (John 4:9). And yet, in this episode, Jesus has spoken at length to someone who is not only Samaritan, but a woman (John 4:27). That same woman has brought many of the townspeople to meet Jesus (John 4:30), when none of the disciples did. And now Jesus is not only interacting with these people, but He is also staying for several days!In part, This is Jesus putting into practice what He would command of the apostles after His ascension. In Acts 1:8, after rising from the dead, and just before ascending in Heaven, Jesus instructs His followers. He tells them to "be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." So far in the gospel of John, Jesus has traveled from Jerusalem to Judea and into Samaria. Here, He will be recognized as "the Savior of the world" (John 4:42).
John 4:27–45 is an object lesson for the disciples. Jesus has just finished a conversation with a Samaritan woman, while the disciples were in town buying food. As it turns out, this supposedly unclean woman will bring many people to meet Christ. The disciples have brought no one. Jesus explains that some work to plant spiritual seeds, while others collect the harvest. Both are valuable and we should be ready for opportunities in either case.
Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who is drawing water from a well. He confronts her about sin, yet He also comforts her with the truth of the gospel. Even though He knows her sins, He still seeks after her, and those like her. The woman returns to town, eventually bringing many people to meet Jesus. The disciples, meanwhile, are reminded of the purpose of their mission. Jesus also heals the son of a government official in a way that demonstrates the importance of trusting faith, rather than reliance on spectacle.
