Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 4
Concise Complete
Christ's departure into Galilee. (1-3) His discourse with
the Samaritan woman. (4-26) The effects of Christ's conversation with the woman
of Samaria. (27-42) Christ heals the nobleman's son. (43-54)
Verses 1-3 Jesus
applied himself more to preaching, which was the more
1 corinthians his
disciples, by employing them to baptize. He teaches us that the benefit of
sacraments depends not on the hand that administers them.
Verses 4-26 There
was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ's road from Judea
to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go into places of temptation but
when we needs must; and then must not dwell in them, but hasten through them. We
have here our Lord Jesus under the common fatigue of travellers. Thus we see
that he was truly a man. Toil came in with sin; therefore Christ, having made
himself a curse for us, submitted to it. Also, he was a poor man, and went all
his journeys on foot. Being wearied, he sat thus on the well; he had no couch to
rest upon. He sat thus, as people wearied with travelling sit. Surely, we ought
readily to submit to be like the Son of God in such things as these. Christ
asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he did not show the anger of
his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderate men of all sides are men
wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teach her Divine things: he converted
this woman, by showing her ignorance and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour.
By this living water is meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of
the Messiah had been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit,
and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature and
necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Christ shows that
the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction. Of whatever waters
of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit
of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will
abundantly satisfy his soul. Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give
it me, saith she, not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed,
but that I come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in
shifting off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely our
Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severely reproved
her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The
power of his word in searching the heart, and convincing the conscience of
secret things, is a proof of Divine authority. It should cool our contests, to
think that the things we are striving about are passing away. The object of
worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put
to all differences about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult
decency and convenience in the places of our worship; but religion gives no
preference to one place above another, in respect of holiness and approval with
God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures have
obtained some knowledge of God, know whom they worship. The word of salvation
was of the Jews. It came to other nations through them. Christ justly preferred
the Jewish worship before the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as
soon to be done away. God was about to be revealed as the Father of all
believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced by the
Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual
affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings, form
the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified. The
woman was disposed to leave the matter undecided, till the coming of the
Messiah. But Christ told her, I that speak to thee, am He. She was an alien and
a hostile Samaritan, merely speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord
Jesus. Yet to this woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he
had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him,
if we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour
of the world.
Verses 27-42 The
disciples wondered that Christ talked thus with a Samaritan. Yet they knew it
was for some good reason, and for some good end. Thus when particular
difficulties occur in the word and providence of God, it is good to satisfy
ourselves that all is well that Jesus Christ says and does. Two things affected
the woman. The extent of his knowledge. Christ knows all the thoughts, words,
and actions, of all the children of men. And the power of his word. He told her
secret sins with power. She fastened upon that part of Christ's discourse, many
would think she would have been most shy of repeating; but the knowledge of
Christ, into which we are led by conviction of sin, is most likely to be sound
and saving. They came to him: those who would know Christ, must meet him where
he records his name. Our Master has left us an example, that we may learn to do
the will of God as he did; with diligence, as those that make a business of it;
with delight and pleasure in it. Christ compares his work to harvest-work. The
harvest is appointed and looked for before it comes; so was the gospel.
Harvest-time is busy time; all must be then at work. Harvest-time is a short
time, and harvest-work must be done then, or not at all; so the time of the
gospel is a season, which if once past, cannot be recalled. God sometimes uses
very weak and unlikely instruments for beginning and carrying on a good work.
Our Saviour, by teaching one poor woman, spread knowledge to a whole town.
Blessed are those who are not offended at Christ. Those taught of God, are truly
desirous to learn more. It adds much to the praise of our love to Christ and his
word, if it conquers prejudices. Their faith grew. In the matter of it: they
believed him to be the Saviour, not only of the Jews but of the world. In the
certainty of it: we know that this is indeed the Christ. And in the ground of
it, for we have heard him ourselves.
Verses 43-54 The
father was a nobleman, yet the son was sick. Honours and titles are no security
from sickness and death. The greatest men must go themselves to God, must become
beggars. The nobleman did not stop from his request till he prevailed. But at
first he discovered the weakness of his faith in the power of Christ. It is hard
to persuade ourselves that distance of time and place, are no hinderance to the
knowledge, mercy, and power of our Lord Jesus. Christ gave an answer of peace.
Christ's saying that the soul lives, makes it alive. The father went his way,
which showed the sincerity of his faith. Being satisfied, he did not hurry home
that night, but returned as one easy in his own mind. His servants met him with
the news of the child's recovery. Good news will meet those that hope in God's
word. Diligent comparing the works of Jesus with his word, will confirm our
faith. And the bringing the cure to the family brought salvation to it. Thus an
experience of the power of one word of Christ, may settle the authority of
Christ in the soul. The whole family believed likewise. The miracle made Jesus
dear to them. The knowledge of Christ still spreads through families, and men
find health and salvation to their souls.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
