What does John 4:43 mean?
Jesus' initial reason for travelling away from Judea was to avoid premature conflict with the Pharisees (John 4:1–3). He planned to return to Galilee (John 4:43), but coming through Samaria to do so was an unusual choice. Jews, for the most part, hated Samaritans and refused to have any unnecessary contact with them (John 4:9). And yet, the Bible says that Jesus "had to" pass this way (John 4:4). The events which occurred in this chapter explain why: it was the will of God for Jesus to meet these people.Jesus disregarded social conventions in passing through the region. He took an unusual path in speaking to the Samaritan woman (John 4:27). And He probably shocked the disciples by agreeing to stay so long to speak with the people (John 4:40). All of this, of course, was explained by the reaction of the Samaritan people: Jesus is "the Savior of the world." His work, the action that gave Him spiritual strength, was to do the will of God (John 4:34), even if that wasn't something others understood.
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.
