John 4:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

NIV: The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

NASB: So the Samaritan woman *said to Him, 'How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

CSB: "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? " she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

NLT: The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, 'You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?'

KJV: Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

NKJV: Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Samaritans were mostly hated by Jews for being religious and ethnic half-breeds. Men and women who were not related did not usually speak to each other in public. And Jews would never think to share utensils with an "unclean" Samaritan. Therefore, everything about Jesus request would be suspicious to this woman. Being alone, she probably would not have approached a crowd of strange men. But the disciples had left, and Jesus might have been sitting in a spot she couldn't see until she was close by.

Knowing all of this, it's easier to imagine the nervousness in her question. Some translations include the comment about Jews not having "dealings" with Samaritans as part of her response. Others treat that statement as a separate remark. John does frequently explain cultural ideas in this gospel, so either one is a possibility. Whether the woman said this out loud, or not, it was certainly implied.

Jesus' answer, seen in verse 10, probably surprised her, as well. Judging by her reaction, she seems more than capable of holding up her end of banter.

John 4:5–26 describes one of the most famous moments in Jesus' earthly ministry. Here, He converses with a Samaritan woman. This particular woman is not only an ''unclean'' Samaritan, but an outcast among her own people. She attempts to avoid Jesus' teachings, giving flippant and sarcastic answers. Despite that, and despite knowing all about her sin, Jesus encourages her with the love of God. This breaks through her hard heart; as a result, many others are brought to meet Christ. The disciples are also taught a valuable lesson about the purpose of their mission.

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who is drawing water from a well. Jesus both confronts her about her sin, and comforts her with the truth of the gospel. In particular, He explains that 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, have to be 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.

John chapter 4 continues the use of contrast. Jesus goes from conversing with an educated, powerful, prestigious man to talking to an outcast, unlearned, self-conscious woman. The combination of this passage, along with Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, makes an important spiritual point. The gospel is for all people, in all places, and all times. Christ can reach each person exactly where he or she needs to be reached.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.