Category: The Gospel According to John

  • The Gospel According to John. ESV Bible

    The Gospel According to John. ESV Bible

    Reformation Study Bible

    Chapter 1

    1:1–18 This “prologue” to the gospel is a preface to the narrative beginning at v. 19. It introduces the gospel’s central character (the divine Creator who “became flesh”) and many of its themes (life, light vs. darkness, witness, rejection vs. reception, birth from God, truth).

    1:1 In the beginning. John links his gospel to the original creation by echoing the opening words of the first book of Moses (and of the Bible; Gen. 1:1). Matthew’s reference to “book of the genealogy” (Greek: “generation”) likewise echoes Genesis (2:4), signaling that Christ’s appearance in history initiates a new creation.

    the Word. The term “Word” (Greek: logos) designates God the Son with respect to His deity; “Jesus” and “Christ” refer to His incarnation and saving work. During the first three centuries, doctrines of the person of Christ focused intensely on His identity as the Logos. In Greek philosophy, the Logos was “reason” or “logic” as an abstract force that brought order and harmony to the universe. But in John’s writings, such qualities of the Logos are gathered in the person of Christ. In Neo-platonic philosophy and the Gnostic heresy (second and third centuries a.d.), the Logos was seen as one of many intermediate powers between God and the world. Such notions are far removed from the simplicity of John’s gospel.[1]

    ESV Bible

    Chapter 1 1: 1-18

    1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

    14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

    Fair Use Notice

    Study notes quoted are from the Reformation Study Bible (R.C. Sproul, ed.) and are used under fair use for commentary and teaching, limited to 250 words per post.
    Scripture quotations are from the ESV and used in accordance with its permissions.

    [1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:1–18.

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  • John, Chapter 1, A Brief Commentary— Meeting the Word Made Flesh

    John, Chapter 1, A Brief Commentary— Meeting the Word Made Flesh

    The Word Made Flesh: Encountering Christ in the Gospel of John.

    The Gospel of John stands apart from the other Gospels. Written by the disciple whom Jesus loved, it’s a deeply personal account that gets straight to the heart of who Jesus is. While the other writers told the story of Jesus’s life from the outside, John takes us inside, revealing Jesus not just as a great teacher or a miracle worker, but as God himself.
    John’s purpose was to convey a profound truth: that Jesus is the Divine Word, the one who existed with God from the beginning and through whom all things were created. In a world full of darkness, he is the true light, a beacon of hope for all who are willing to see.
    This first chapter serves as a powerful introduction, presenting a series of testimonies about Jesus—from John the Baptist to the very first disciples—that invite us to see him as he truly is.

    The Divine Word: The Foundation of All Things (John 1:1-5).

    John opens his Gospel with a truth that echoes throughout eternity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The term “the Word” is not just a title; it’s an explanation. Just as our words reveal our thoughts, the Son of God was sent to reveal the Father’s mind to the world.
    This passage proves that Jesus is God. John asserts his eternal existence, his coexistence with the Father, and his role in creation. Everything that exists, from the highest angel to the smallest microbe, was made by him. He wasn’t just an instrument; he was the source. This shows his power and authority, and it also proves he is fully qualified to be our Redeemer and Savior.
    The Word is also called the “true Light,” and this light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not comprehend it. In the face of a world that struggles to understand spiritual truth, we are called to pray that our own eyes would be opened to this light so that we can walk in it and find salvation.

    The Light of Humanity (John 1:6-14).

    John the Baptist, a powerful and prophetic figure, was sent to bear witness to the Light. This highlights just how spiritually dark the world was—the light had arrived, yet people still needed someone to point it out to them. Christ is the ultimate light, and only those who are enlightened by him can find salvation.
    This passage also reveals the incredible truth of the Incarnation. Christ was “in the world” he had created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to save a lost world, but even his own people did not receive him. This speaks to a universal human condition: many claims to know Jesus but are unwilling to accept him as their king.
    But to those who do receive him, he gives the right to become children of God. This new birth is a spiritual reality, a transformation worked by the Spirit of God. While he had always been in the world by his divine presence, now he was God “manifested in the flesh.” Yet even in his human form, the divine glory shone through, seen most clearly by those who were closest to him. His grace was fully acceptable to the Father, making him the perfect advocate for us, and his truth was complete, fully revealing all that we needed to know.

    The Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:15-18).

    John the Baptist was a prominent figure in his time, but he never took credit for himself. He consistently pointed to Jesus, declaring that while he came after him chronologically, Jesus was before him in every way. This confirms Jesus’s pre-existence and his eternal nature.
    The passage also emphasizes that from Jesus, we have all received “grace upon grace.” The law, though holy and just, cannot provide salvation or strength. It can show us what to do, but it cannot give us the power to do it. Only through Jesus Christ do we receive God’s mercy, and only through him can we come to the Father. He is the only way to truly know God, for he is the only begotten Son who has revealed him.

    John’s Public Proclamation (John 1:19-28).

    As people came to John the Baptist with questions about his identity, he was quick to correct them. He wasn’t the Christ, nor was he Elijah or the Prophet they were expecting. He was simply a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. He baptized with water as a sign of repentance, but he told them of a greater one among them whom they did not know—one to whom he was not worthy to untie his sandals.

    The Lamb of God and the First Disciples (John 1:29-51).

    The climax of John the Baptist’s testimony comes when he sees Jesus and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This is a direct reference to the paschal lamb and the daily sacrifices, all of which pointed to Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice. John makes it clear that we find pardon and redemption not through our own works, but through Jesus alone. He bore our sin for us and takes it away, encouraging us to have faith in his atoning sacrifice.
    As John pointed to Jesus, some of his own disciples, including Andrew, followed Jesus. This shows the true nature of ministry: to lead others to Christ. Andrew then found his brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus gave Simon the name “Peter” (meaning “rock”), he showed that he would make him a firm and steadfast follower. This reminds us that it is by God’s grace that we are able to be constant in our faith.
    Finally, we see Philip, who was also called to follow Jesus, and he in turn brought Nathanael. Nathanael was initially sceptical, but when Jesus revealed his deep knowledge of his character and even his location under a fig tree, Nathanael declared him to be the Son of God. This illustrates that Jesus knows our hearts completely. Just as Jesus saw Nathanael’s uprightness, he knows what is truly in us.

    Conclusion.

    John, Chapter 1, is more than just a historical record. It is a series of testimonies that build on one another to paint a complete picture of Jesus. From the Word who created all things to the Lamb of God who takes away sin, Jesus is presented as both fully divine and fully human. The chapter encourages us to examine our own hearts, to see if we, like the first disciples, are ready to follow him and tell others about the one who knows us completely and loves us more than we can imagine.

    Further Reading.

    The Gospel of John, Chapter One. ESV, NET, YLT, NASB, NKJV, KJV.

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    This comparison chart is here to help visualize the differences between various Bible translations. All Bible translations can be found on the spectrum from “Word-for-Word” thru “Thought-for-Thought” and all the way to Paraphrase. The left side is the more literal translations –formal equivalence- and the right side –the paraphrase- is fully into the dynamic equivalence realm.
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  • John, Chapter 2, A Brief Commentary— Water Into Wine: The Sign Everyone Misunderstands

    John, Chapter 2, A Brief Commentary— Water Into Wine: The Sign Everyone Misunderstands

    From Water to a New Temple.

    The Unexpected Power of Christ.

    The second chapter of the Gospel of John opens with a scene of joy and celebration, but it quickly shifts to a powerful act of authority and a profound statement about Jesus’s identity. From a humble wedding in Cana to a dramatic confrontation in the temple, this chapter reveals key aspects of Christ’s character: His grace, His power, and His deep insight into the human heart. It shows us that Jesus transforms both the mundane and the spiritual, and that His true purpose is far greater than anyone could have imagined.

    The First Sign: The Wedding at Cana.

    The chapter begins with a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. Jesus, His disciples, and His mother were all invited, which is a powerful reminder that it’s a good idea to involve Christ in all of life’s significant events, especially marriage. This simple act of invitation suggests that when we welcome Christ into our lives, He will be present with us.
    During the celebration, a problem arises: the wine runs out. This small crisis highlights a bigger truth about life—even at times of great happiness, we will encounter difficulties and disappointments. Mary, Jesus’s mother, brings the problem to Him, simply stating, “They have no wine.” This shows us that we should bring our needs to Christ and trust Him to handle the situation as He sees fit.
    Jesus’s response to His mother—”My hour has not yet come”—was not a sign of disrespect. Rather, it was a statement about His divine timing. He works on His own schedule, not ours, and His delays are not denials. When Mary tells the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it,” she provides a timeless lesson on faith and obedience. The way to experience God’s blessings is through ready and unquestioning obedience to His commands.
    The miracle that follows is a beautiful contrast to the first miracle of Moses, who turned water into blood. Jesus turned water into wine, symbolizing the difference between the Law and the Gospel. The Law brought death and judgment, but the Gospel brings life and abundance. Christ didn’t just provide wine; He provided the best wine. This shows that Christ’s works are superior and bring a deeper, richer satisfaction. We are encouraged to use the gifts He gives us, whether they are material comforts or spiritual graces, to their fullest potential. This miracle affirms the proper use of things like wine in celebration, while also cautioning us against excess and debauchery. Our lives should be lived in such a way that Christ would be welcome in our midst at any time.

    Cleansing the Temple: A House of Merchandise.

    After the wedding, Jesus travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. The first public act recorded for Him here is not a miracle of healing, but one of cleansing. He found the temple courts filled with merchants, who, with the approval of the priests, had turned a place of worship and prayer into a noisy market. This act of driving out the buyers and sellers was a powerful rebuke to those who profaned the house of God. It’s a striking reminder that we can make God’s house—and even our own hearts—a “house of merchandise” when we allow worldly concerns and greed to dominate our thoughts and actions during times of worship.
    When questioned about His authority to do this, Jesus gave them a sign: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jewish leaders, however, completely missed the meaning. They thought He was speaking about the physical temple building, which had taken 46 years to construct. They understood the words literally, but Jesus was speaking figuratively about the temple of His own body. He was prophesying His death at their hands and His glorious resurrection by His own power.
    This moment highlights a common mistake people make when reading the Scriptures: taking a figurative statement literally. It also foreshadows a key moment for the disciples. They did not fully understand this statement until after Christ’s resurrection. This shows us the importance of observing how scripture is fulfilled, as it brings clarity and deeper meaning to God’s word.

    The Heart of Man: Jesus Knows All.

    The chapter concludes with Jesus performing many miracles in Jerusalem, which led many people to believe in Him. However, the text notes that Jesus “did not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.” He was not fooled by superficial faith or outward professions. Unlike humans who only see what is done, Jesus sees what is in a person. He knows our true nature, our hidden motives, our weaknesses, and our secret projects.
    This section is a serious caution against having a “dead faith” or a shallow, formal profession of belief. Many people may profess faith in Jesus for worldly gain or because it’s socially convenient, but Jesus knows their true character. They may deceive others and even themselves, but they can never deceive the heart-searching God. This serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus understands us completely, and true faith is not about outward show but a genuine transformation of the heart.

    Conclusion.

    The second chapter of the Gospel of John presents Jesus as a master of transformation. At the Cana wedding, He transforms water into wine, demonstrating His power to turn the mundane into something extraordinary. In the temple, He cleanses a corrupted space, asserting His authority over all things and foreshadowing His own resurrection. Finally, He reveals His perfect knowledge of humanity, teaching us that He sees beyond our outward appearance and knows the true condition of our hearts. These events challenge us to invite Christ into every part of our lives, to obey His commands, and to seek a sincere faith that goes beyond mere words.


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  • John, Chapter 3, A Brief Commentary— You Must Be Born Again

    John, Chapter 3, A Brief Commentary— You Must Be Born Again

    What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

    In the bustling streets of ancient Jerusalem, amidst the miracles of Jesus, a prominent Jewish leader sought a private audience with him. His name was Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, a man of authority and intellect. Yet, despite his religious standing, he came to Jesus at night, perhaps out of a mix of caution and genuine curiosity. His opening statement, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him,” revealed a glimmer of faith, a recognition of Jesus’s divine authority. But Jesus, seeing beyond the man’s intellectual assent, immediately went to the heart of the matter, challenging Nicodemus with a profound and transformative truth: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
    This statement, seemingly a riddle to Nicodemus, is the core of Jesus’s message. It moves beyond external piety and ritual to the absolute necessity of a fundamental inner change. To be “born again” is to experience a new spiritual birth, a complete renewal of one’s nature, principles, and desires. It’s a transition from a life rooted in the “flesh”—our natural, corrupt human state—to a life animated by the “Spirit.” This is not a process a person can initiate on their own; it is a mysterious and powerful work of the Holy Spirit, much like the wind that blows where it wishes, with an unseen source but a clearly felt effect.

    The Earthly Versus the Heavenly.

    Nicodemus, struggling to grasp this spiritual concept, posed a logical but flawed question: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus’s response highlights the chasm between human understanding and divine truth. He explains that “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Our physical birth, no matter how distinguished, produces only a corrupt, earthly nature. A genuine change requires a new origin—a birth “from above,” from God himself.
    Jesus gently rebukes Nicodemus for his ignorance, despite his position as a “master in Israel.” This highlights a timeless truth: those who are deeply entrenched in the forms and rituals of religion can sometimes miss its spiritual essence. Jesus asserts that he speaks what he knows and has seen from heaven, and yet Nicodemus struggles to believe even when the truths are presented in simple, “earthly” analogies. What hope, then, is there for those who refuse to believe? Jesus makes it clear that he alone, as the Son of Man who came down from heaven and is in heaven, can truly reveal these divine, heavenly things to humanity.

    The Brazen Serpent and the Lifted-Up Son.

    To further explain the purpose of this new birth, Jesus turns to a powerful Old Testament image: the brazen serpent in the wilderness. During the Exodus, when the Israelites were bitten by venomous, “fiery” serpents as punishment for their complaining, Moses was instructed by God to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who looked at it in faith, no matter how severe their wound, was healed.
    This seemingly strange act was a foreshadowing of Jesus’s purpose. The venomous serpent represents the destructive power of sin and the fiery wrath of God. The raised serpent, with its life-giving properties, points directly to Jesus. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” This was a prophecy of his crucifixion—a brutal, public act that would serve as the ultimate remedy for the spiritual sickness of humanity. Just as the bitten Israelites were saved by a simple act of faith (looking), so too are all who look upon Jesus with belief saved from eternal perishing.

    A Tale of Two Destinies: Belief and Unbelief.

    This conversation culminates in one of the most famous and concise summaries of the gospel: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

    Here we see two contrasting outcomes based on one’s response to Jesus.

    • Those who believe: “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life.” The moment a person puts their faith in Jesus, they receive the gift of salvation. It is not a future reward but a present reality. They are not under condemnation because they are united with the very source of life.
    • Those who do not believe: “He that does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Unbelief is not merely an intellectual disagreement; it is a rejection of God’s love and the very solution he provided for humanity’s deepest problem. Because they refuse the pardon offered in Christ, they remain under the original sentence of sin.

    The tragedy of unbelief is that it is often a deliberate choice. People love darkness more than light “because their deeds are evil.” The light of the gospel exposes their sinfulness and demands a radical change that they are unwilling to make. In contrast, those who “do the truth” and live with integrity are drawn to the light. They are willing to have their lives and actions examined, because they have nothing to hide.

    John the Baptist’s Testimony: The Friend of the Bridegroom

    Following Jesus’s discourse with Nicodemus, another significant event unfolds. Jesus’s ministry and baptism begin to draw larger crowds, leading to a complaint from John the Baptist’s disciples. They voice their concern: “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are coming to him.” They saw Jesus as a rival, a threat to their master’s popularity.
    John’s response, however, demonstrates profound humility and wisdom. He clarifies his role, stating that his purpose was to be a “friend of the bridegroom.” Christ is the bridegroom, the one to whom the people belong. John’s joy was to prepare the way for Jesus and to see him receive the honour and attention that was rightfully his. John’s mission was always temporary, a preparatory step. He summarizes his role with a beautiful and selfless statement: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The flourishing of Jesus’s ministry was not a sign of John’s failure, but the fulfilment of his purpose.
    John’s final words on the matter reinforce Jesus’s ultimate authority: “He who comes from above is above all… For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.” Jesus is not just another prophet; he is the beloved Son of God, to whom the Father has given all things.

    Further Reading.

    • Numbers 21:4-9: The story of the brazen serpent in the Old Testament, the type of which Christ is the anti-type.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:47-49: An exploration of the “first man, who is of the earth” and the “second man, who is from heaven.”

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  • John Chapter 4, A Brief Commentary— The Woman at the Well: When Jesus Reveals Himself.

    John Chapter 4, A Brief Commentary— The Woman at the Well: When Jesus Reveals Himself.

    From Weary Traveler to Living Water.

    The Gospel of John, chapter 4, presents a remarkable and intimate portrait of Jesus Christ. It opens not with a grand sermon or a public miracle, but with a simple journey. As Jesus travels from Judea back to his home region of Galilee, he passes through Samaria, a land and a people often at odds with the Jews. This seemingly routine event sets the stage for a profound encounter that reveals the heart of Christ’s mission: to seek out and save the lost, regardless of their background or status.
    In this chapter, we witness Jesus as a true man, weary from his travels and humble in his approach, yet he is also revealed as the divine Lord, possessing an intimate knowledge of the human heart and offering a gift far greater than anything the world can provide. From a water-well side conversation to a miraculous healing, we see the power of Christ’s word to transform individuals and entire communities.

    The Compassionate Journey.

    The chapter begins with Jesus leaving Judea and heading for Galilee. He did so not out of fear, but out of wisdom. The Pharisees, already vexed by the success of his ministry, were keeping a watchful eye on him. As the Lord of all, Jesus was not constrained by human limitations, yet he chose to act in a way that provides an example for his followers: to avoid unnecessary confrontation and to flee from persecution, when possible, without compromising his mission.
    This journey led him directly through Samaria, a land the Jews typically avoided. The animosity between the two peoples ran deep, with a long history of division rooted in both blood and religion. The Samaritans were a “mongrel” people in Jewish eyes, mixing Israelite heritage with foreign customs and establishing their own temple on Mount Gerizim in opposition to the one in Jerusalem. This deeply ingrained prejudice meant that for a Jew to travel through Samaria was highly unusual.
    However, Jesus “must needs go through Samaria.” This wasn’t just a geographical necessity; it was a spiritual one. His heart was fixed on the divine work he was to accomplish there—to find a single, lost soul and offer her salvation. This deliberate choice highlights the indiscriminate nature of God’s love. Christ does not bypass the “unclean” or the outcast; instead, he goes directly to them, seeking to save those whom others would scorn.

    The Well of Living Water.

    Arriving at the city of Sychar, Jesus, weary from his journey, sat by a well that tradition held was dug by Jacob. His disciples went into the city to buy food, leaving him alone. It was here that he met a Samaritan woman who came to draw water.
    Jesus, a Jew, initiated the conversation by asking her for a drink. The woman’s surprise was immediate, as she knew that “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” This simple request for a cup of water served as a bridge, breaking down the social and religious barriers that had separated them.
    Jesus then shifts the conversation from physical water to spiritual truth. He tells her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman, thinking literally, objects that he has no bucket and the well is deep, questioning if he could be greater than their ancestor Jacob who gave them this well.
    Jesus’s answer reveals a profound truth: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” He explains that this living water will become in a person “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” The water of this world, whether from Jacob’s well or any other source, provides only temporary satisfaction. It must be continually sought. But the “living water” that Christ offers—the Holy Spirit and the grace of the Gospel—provides a permanent, internal spring of life that satisfies the soul forever.

    Confronting Truth and Finding Faith.

    The woman, perhaps out of a mix of ignorance and a weak desire for ease, asks for this water “that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus, recognizing that she is not yet truly ready to receive this spiritual gift, shifts the conversation again, this time to a painful, convicting topic: her personal life.
    “Go, call your husband and come here,” he instructs. The woman’s response is a transparent evasion: “I have no husband.” Jesus, in a gentle but powerful rebuke, reveals his divine knowledge of her past and present: “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband.”
    This moment serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus’s prophetic authority. He did not need to perform a miracle to prove his identity; he simply spoke the truth of her life. Rather than becoming angry, the woman’s reaction is one of awe: “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.” Her conscience, now awakened, leads her to ask about a central point of contention between Jews and Samaritans—the correct place of worship.
    Jesus answers this theological dispute by lifting the discussion above a mere geographical argument. He declares that a new era is at hand: “The hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.” He then explains what truly matters: “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
    The key to acceptable worship is not location, but sincere devotion from the heart. It is a worship that is genuine (“in truth”) and driven by the Spirit (“in spirit”), not by outward ritual alone. This was an entirely new and revolutionary concept for the woman. Her response shows the depth of her understanding and the faith that was blossoming in her heart: “I know that Messiah is coming… when He comes, He will tell us all things.”
    With this, Jesus, in one of the most direct declarations in the entire Gospel, reveals his identity to her: “I who speak to you am He.”

    From Individual Faith to Community Revival.

    The encounter at the well had a dramatic ripple effect. The woman, so transformed by the conversation, immediately left her water pot and hurried back to the city. Her worldly task was forgotten; her mind was completely absorbed by the good news she had found. She became a messenger, proclaiming to her neighbours, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
    Her testimony, though from a person of low repute, was compelling. The people of the city, driven by curiosity, went out to meet Jesus. This willingness to investigate for themselves shows their openness to the truth. When they met him, they were so moved that they begged him to stay longer. Jesus, who had initially planned to pass through, willingly stayed for two days, ministering to them and deepening their understanding.
    As a result, “many more believed because of His own word.” The Samaritans who had initially believed on the testimony of the woman now had a deeper, more personal faith. They declared, “Now we believe, not because of your saying, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
    Their faith was no longer second-hand; it was a firm conviction rooted in a personal encounter with Jesus. They came to know him not just as a prophet but as the “Savior of the world,” a title that recognized his mission extended far beyond the boundaries of Judaism to encompass even them, the outcasts.

    The Faith of a Nobleman.

    The chapter concludes by recounting another miracle that further demonstrates the power of Christ’s word. Jesus, having left Samaria and returned to Galilee, was in Cana when a nobleman from Capernaum approached him. His son was at death’s door. The nobleman’s request was filled with urgency: “Sir, come down before my son dies.”
    Jesus’s response challenges the nobleman’s limited faith. “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman, however, persists, his heart fixed on his son’s survival.
    Christ’s final words to him are simple and powerful: “Go your way; your son lives.” The nobleman did not question or hesitate; he believed Jesus’s word and began his journey home. The next day, he was met by his servants with the joyful news that his son was alive. He inquired about the exact time the fever left him and discovered it was the very hour Jesus had spoken the word.
    This final miracle confirms the authority of Christ’s word, which operates without physical proximity. It also highlights the different ways people come to faith. The Samaritans, with no prior exposure to his miracles, believed on the basis of his teaching and personal revelation. The nobleman, on the other hand, required a visible sign and a direct experience of Christ’s power before his faith was fully confirmed. In both cases, the result was the same: personal and family salvation.

    Further Reading.

    • The Gospel of John, Chapter 4: The original source text is the best place to start for a deeper study of this passage.
    • A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton: A resource for understanding the historical and cultural context of the Jewish-Samaritan relationship.