John 4:22
Verse
Context
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.
Sermons
Mike BickleMike Bickle
G. Campbell Morgan
A.W. Pink
Keith MalcomsonSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what - The Samaritans believed in the same God with the Jews; but, as they rejected all the prophetical writings, they had but an imperfect knowledge of the Deity: besides, as they incorporated the worship of idols with his worship, they might be justly said to worship him whom they did not properly know. See the account of their motley worship, Kg2 17:26-34. But after Sanballat had built the temple on Mount Gerizim, the idolatrous worship of the Cutheans and Sepharvites, etc., was entirely laid aside; the same religious service being performed in the Samaritan temple which was performed in that at Jerusalem. We know what we worship - We Jews acknowledge all the attributes of his nature, and offer to him only the sacrifices prescribed in the law. Salvation is of the Jews - Εκ των Ιουδαιων εστιν, Salvation is from the Jews. Salvation seems here to mean the Savior, the Messiah, as it does Luk 2:30; Act 4:12 : and so the woman appears to have understood it, Joh 4:25. The Messiah was to spring from the Jews - from them, the preaching of the Gospel, and the knowledge of the truth, were to go to all the nations of the world. It was to the Jews that the promises were made; and it was in their prophetic Scriptures, which the Samaritans rejected, that Jesus Christ was proclaimed and described. See Isa 11:3.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what--without any revealed authority, and so very much in the dark. In this sense, the Jews knew what they were about. But the most glorious thing here is the reason assigned, for salvation is of the Jews--intimating to her that Salvation was not a thing left to be reached by any one who might vaguely desire it of a God of mercy, but something that had been revealed, prepared, deposited with a particular people, and must be sought in connection with, and as issuing from them; and that people, "the Jews."
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what,.... However, as to her question, he more directly replies by condemning the Samaritans, and their ignorance in worship, and by approving the Jews; and so manifestly gives the preference to the Jews, not only with respect to the place, and object of worship, but with respect to knowledge and salvation. As for the Samaritans, he suggests, that they were ignorant, not only of the true object of worship, but knew not what they themselves worshipped; or, at least, were not agreed in it. The original inhabitants of those parts, from whence these Samaritans sprung, were idolatrous Heathens, placed by the king of Assyria in the room of the ten tribes he carried away captive; and these feared not the Lord, for they "knew not the manner of the God of the land": wherefore lions were sent among them which slew many of them; upon which the king of Assyria ordered a priest to be sent to instruct them: but notwithstanding this, they had everyone gods of their own, some one, and some another; and so served divers graven images, they and their children, and their children's children, to the time of the writer of the Book of Kings; see Kg2 17:24. And though after Manasseh, and other Jews were come among them, and they had received the law of Moses, they might have some knowledge of the true God, yet they glorified him not as God; and though they might in words profess him, yet in works they denied him; and even after this they are very highly charged by the Jews with idolatrous practices on this mount. Sometimes they say (g) the Cuthites, or Samaritans, worshipped fire; and at other times, and which chiefly prevails with them, they assert (h), that their wise men, upon searching, found that they worshipped the image of a dove on Mount Gerizim; and sometimes they say (i), they worshipped the idols, the strange gods, or Teraphim, which Jacob hid under the oak in Sichem; which last, if true, may serve to illustrate these words of Christ, that they worshipped they knew not what, since they worshipped idols hid in the mount. "R. Ishmael bar Jose, they say (k) went to Neapolis, (Sichem, called Naplous,) the Cuthites, or Samaritans came to him (to persuade him to worship with them in their mountain); he said unto them, I will show you that ye do not "worship at this mountain", but "the images which are hid under it"; for it is written, Gen 35:4; "and Jacob hid them" under the oak which was by Shechem.'' And elsewhere (l) it is reported of the same Rabbi, that he went to Jerusalem to pray, as before related on Joh 4:20, and after what passed between him, and the Samaritan he met with at Mount Gerizim, before mentioned, he added; "and said to him, I will tell you what ye are like, (ye are like) to a dog that lusts after carrion; so because ye know the idols are hid under it, (the mountain,) as it is written, Gen 35:4 and Jacob hid them, therefore ye lust after it: they said--this man knows that idols are hid here, and perhaps he will take them away; and they consulted together to kill him: he arose, and made his escape in the night.'' But this was not the case of the Jews: we know what we worship; Christ puts himself among them, for he was a Jew, as the woman took him to be; and, as man, was a worshipper of God; he feared, loved, and obeyed God; he trusted in him, and prayed unto him; though, as God, he was the object of worship himself: and the true worshippers among the Jews, of which sort Christ was, knew God, whom they worshipped, spiritually and savingly; and the generality of that people had right notions of the God of Israel, having the oracles, and service of God, and being instructed out of Moses, and the prophets: for salvation is of the Jews; the promises of salvation, and of a Saviour, were made to them, when the Gentiles were strangers to them; the means of salvation, and of the knowledge of it, as the word, statutes, and ordinances, were enjoyed by them, when others were ignorant of them; and the Messiah, who is sometimes styled "Salvation", see Gen 49:18, was not only prophesied of in their books, and promised unto them, but came of them, as well as to them; and the number of the saved ones had been for many hundreds of years, and still was among them; the line of election ran among them, and few among the Gentiles were called and saved, as yet. (g) T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 5. 2. (h) Maimon. in Misn. Beracot, c. 8. sect. 8. & Bartenora in ib. c. 7. sect. 1. & in Nidda, c. 4. sect. 1. (i) Shalshelet Hakkabala, fol. 15. 2. (k) T. Hieros. Avoda Zara, fol. 44. 4. (l) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 81. fol. 71. 1.
John 4:22
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Nor-02 Mysteriumisraelog Kirken (The Mystery of Israel and the Church)
By Art Katz58504:11IsraelDivine MysteryIsrael and the ChurchISA 49:6ZEC 12:10MAT 5:14JHN 4:22ROM 9:1ROM 10:1ROM 11:25GAL 3:28EPH 2:11REV 7:4Art Katz emphasizes the critical relationship between Israel and the Church, presenting it as a divine mystery that must not be ignored. He explains that both Israel and the Church share a reciprocal destiny, where neither can fully realize God's intentions independently of the other. Katz warns that neglecting this connection limits the Church's understanding of its purpose in the last days. He references Paul's teachings in Romans 9, 10, and 11, highlighting the importance of recognizing Israel's role in God's plan. The message calls for the Church to be aware of the significant events that are unfolding regarding Israel.
Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth
By Mike Bickle2759:08Holy SpiritWorshipJHN 4:22Mike Bickle emphasizes the necessity of worshiping God in spirit and truth, as outlined in John 4:22-23. He explains that true worship requires a genuine heart engagement and a relationship with the Holy Spirit, which is essential for acceptable worship. Bickle also highlights the importance of understanding God's character and our identity in Him, as worshiping in truth involves having the right ideas about God and ourselves. He warns against living with a quenched spirit due to disobedience and encourages believers to pursue a lifestyle of sincere worship and obedience. Ultimately, Bickle calls for a deeper commitment to worshiping God on His terms, which leads to a more profound encounter with Him.
Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth
By Mike Bickle1459:08WorshipSpirit and TruthJHN 4:22Mike Bickle emphasizes the necessity of worshiping God in spirit and truth, as outlined in John 4:22-23. He explains that true worship requires a genuine heart connection with God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, and that worship must align with God's truth about Himself and our identity in Him. Bickle warns against the dangers of approaching worship on our own terms, stressing that sincere intentions must be coupled with a correct understanding of God's nature and our standing before Him. He encourages believers to cultivate a lifestyle of worship that engages both the spirit and the truth of God's Word, leading to a deeper encounter with God.
Concerning Salvation
By G. Campbell Morgan0SalvationTransformationLUK 6:9LUK 7:50LUK 8:48LUK 8:50LUK 17:19LUK 18:42LUK 19:10JHN 4:22JHN 8:39ROM 13:11G. Campbell Morgan explores the profound concept of salvation as taught by Jesus, emphasizing that salvation is not merely a state of being safe but a transformative process that delivers individuals from harm and restores them to wholeness. He illustrates this through the story of Zacchaeus, highlighting how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, demonstrating that true salvation results in moral and spiritual renewal. Morgan underscores that Jesus' use of the term 'to save' is always connected to humanity, focusing on the restoration of life and the negation of destructive forces. The sermon emphasizes that salvation encompasses forgiveness, liberation from sin, and the realization of one's true potential in Christ. Ultimately, Morgan asserts that Jesus' mission is to bring this comprehensive salvation to all who are lost.
The Abrahamic Covenant
By A.W. Pink0Grace and ObedienceCovenant TheologyGEN 9:25GEN 12:3ISA 30:18MAT 1:1JHN 4:22ACT 7:2ROM 4:11ROM 11:5GAL 3:16JAS 2:23A.W. Pink explores the significance of the Abrahamic Covenant, emphasizing Abraham's unique role as 'the friend of God' and the father of all believers. He highlights how the covenant not only established a special relationship between God and Abraham but also set the stage for the blessings that would extend to all nations through Abraham's lineage. Pink discusses the historical context leading up to the covenant, including the prophecy of Noah and the events at Babel, illustrating God's sovereign grace in choosing Abraham amidst a world steeped in idolatry. The sermon underscores the dual principles of grace and responsibility inherent in the covenant, showing that while God's promises are rooted in grace, they also require human obedience. Ultimately, Pink reveals that the Abrahamic Covenant is a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan, foreshadowing the coming of Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles in the blessings of salvation.
The Heart of Worship
By Keith Malcomson0GEN 22:52SA 12:20JOB 1:20DAN 3:17MAT 15:22JHN 4:22REV 11:15Keith Malcomson emphasizes the importance of true worship, contrasting it with the contemporary worship culture that lacks depth and true submission to God. He highlights examples of true worship from the Bible, such as Job's response to tragedy, David's submission in times of grief, Abraham's obedience in sacrificing his son, and the humility displayed by individuals like the woman washing Jesus' feet. True worship involves acknowledging God's nature, attributes, and claims, and it will be tested in times of trial and fire, revealing its authenticity.
Homily 30 on Romans
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 22:9MAT 26:41JHN 4:22ROM 15:251CO 7:171CO 14:361CO 16:12CO 8:12CO 9:2COL 1:6John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of ministering to the saints, highlighting the duty of believers to support and care for one another, both spiritually and materially. He emphasizes the need for genuine acts of service and generosity, drawing examples from the contributions made by the churches in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Chrysostom encourages the Romans to imitate the sacrificial love and dedication shown by Priscilla, Aquila, and Phebe, who selflessly served and supported the early Christian community, even risking their lives for the sake of others.
Concerning the Messiah's Lineage and Descent.
By John Gill0Prophecy FulfillmentMessiah's LineageISA 11:1JER 30:21MAT 1:1MAT 22:42LUK 1:27LUK 2:3JHN 4:22ACT 13:23ROM 9:5HEB 7:14John Gill discusses the lineage and descent of the Messiah, emphasizing that He was prophesied to arise from the nation of Israel, specifically from the tribe of Judah and the house of David. He highlights that the Messiah's identity is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, which affirm that Jesus fulfills these requirements as a descendant of Abraham, Judah, and David. Gill argues against claims that the Messiah could come from other nations or tribes, asserting that Jesus' lineage is crucial to His role as the Savior. He also addresses misconceptions regarding the genealogy of Jesus, clarifying that both Mary and Joseph were of David's line, thus legitimizing Jesus' claim to the throne. Ultimately, Gill underscores the significance of Jesus' heritage in establishing His authority and identity as the Messiah.
Remember That You Were Hopeless
By John Piper0EZK 20:42LUK 7:36JHN 4:22ROM 9:24EPH 2:11John Piper preaches on the importance of remembering our hopeless condition before salvation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the need to feel and be gripped by the memory to deepen our devotion and affection for God. He highlights that salvation is only through Jesus Christ, making us fellow heirs of the promises and partakers of the gospel. Piper urges believers to guard against pride by remembering their former plight without Christ, cherish forgiveness more deeply, and exalt the righteousness of God as the foundation of our salvation and hope.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what - The Samaritans believed in the same God with the Jews; but, as they rejected all the prophetical writings, they had but an imperfect knowledge of the Deity: besides, as they incorporated the worship of idols with his worship, they might be justly said to worship him whom they did not properly know. See the account of their motley worship, Kg2 17:26-34. But after Sanballat had built the temple on Mount Gerizim, the idolatrous worship of the Cutheans and Sepharvites, etc., was entirely laid aside; the same religious service being performed in the Samaritan temple which was performed in that at Jerusalem. We know what we worship - We Jews acknowledge all the attributes of his nature, and offer to him only the sacrifices prescribed in the law. Salvation is of the Jews - Εκ των Ιουδαιων εστιν, Salvation is from the Jews. Salvation seems here to mean the Savior, the Messiah, as it does Luk 2:30; Act 4:12 : and so the woman appears to have understood it, Joh 4:25. The Messiah was to spring from the Jews - from them, the preaching of the Gospel, and the knowledge of the truth, were to go to all the nations of the world. It was to the Jews that the promises were made; and it was in their prophetic Scriptures, which the Samaritans rejected, that Jesus Christ was proclaimed and described. See Isa 11:3.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what--without any revealed authority, and so very much in the dark. In this sense, the Jews knew what they were about. But the most glorious thing here is the reason assigned, for salvation is of the Jews--intimating to her that Salvation was not a thing left to be reached by any one who might vaguely desire it of a God of mercy, but something that had been revealed, prepared, deposited with a particular people, and must be sought in connection with, and as issuing from them; and that people, "the Jews."
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye worship ye know not what,.... However, as to her question, he more directly replies by condemning the Samaritans, and their ignorance in worship, and by approving the Jews; and so manifestly gives the preference to the Jews, not only with respect to the place, and object of worship, but with respect to knowledge and salvation. As for the Samaritans, he suggests, that they were ignorant, not only of the true object of worship, but knew not what they themselves worshipped; or, at least, were not agreed in it. The original inhabitants of those parts, from whence these Samaritans sprung, were idolatrous Heathens, placed by the king of Assyria in the room of the ten tribes he carried away captive; and these feared not the Lord, for they "knew not the manner of the God of the land": wherefore lions were sent among them which slew many of them; upon which the king of Assyria ordered a priest to be sent to instruct them: but notwithstanding this, they had everyone gods of their own, some one, and some another; and so served divers graven images, they and their children, and their children's children, to the time of the writer of the Book of Kings; see Kg2 17:24. And though after Manasseh, and other Jews were come among them, and they had received the law of Moses, they might have some knowledge of the true God, yet they glorified him not as God; and though they might in words profess him, yet in works they denied him; and even after this they are very highly charged by the Jews with idolatrous practices on this mount. Sometimes they say (g) the Cuthites, or Samaritans, worshipped fire; and at other times, and which chiefly prevails with them, they assert (h), that their wise men, upon searching, found that they worshipped the image of a dove on Mount Gerizim; and sometimes they say (i), they worshipped the idols, the strange gods, or Teraphim, which Jacob hid under the oak in Sichem; which last, if true, may serve to illustrate these words of Christ, that they worshipped they knew not what, since they worshipped idols hid in the mount. "R. Ishmael bar Jose, they say (k) went to Neapolis, (Sichem, called Naplous,) the Cuthites, or Samaritans came to him (to persuade him to worship with them in their mountain); he said unto them, I will show you that ye do not "worship at this mountain", but "the images which are hid under it"; for it is written, Gen 35:4; "and Jacob hid them" under the oak which was by Shechem.'' And elsewhere (l) it is reported of the same Rabbi, that he went to Jerusalem to pray, as before related on Joh 4:20, and after what passed between him, and the Samaritan he met with at Mount Gerizim, before mentioned, he added; "and said to him, I will tell you what ye are like, (ye are like) to a dog that lusts after carrion; so because ye know the idols are hid under it, (the mountain,) as it is written, Gen 35:4 and Jacob hid them, therefore ye lust after it: they said--this man knows that idols are hid here, and perhaps he will take them away; and they consulted together to kill him: he arose, and made his escape in the night.'' But this was not the case of the Jews: we know what we worship; Christ puts himself among them, for he was a Jew, as the woman took him to be; and, as man, was a worshipper of God; he feared, loved, and obeyed God; he trusted in him, and prayed unto him; though, as God, he was the object of worship himself: and the true worshippers among the Jews, of which sort Christ was, knew God, whom they worshipped, spiritually and savingly; and the generality of that people had right notions of the God of Israel, having the oracles, and service of God, and being instructed out of Moses, and the prophets: for salvation is of the Jews; the promises of salvation, and of a Saviour, were made to them, when the Gentiles were strangers to them; the means of salvation, and of the knowledge of it, as the word, statutes, and ordinances, were enjoyed by them, when others were ignorant of them; and the Messiah, who is sometimes styled "Salvation", see Gen 49:18, was not only prophesied of in their books, and promised unto them, but came of them, as well as to them; and the number of the saved ones had been for many hundreds of years, and still was among them; the line of election ran among them, and few among the Gentiles were called and saved, as yet. (g) T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 5. 2. (h) Maimon. in Misn. Beracot, c. 8. sect. 8. & Bartenora in ib. c. 7. sect. 1. & in Nidda, c. 4. sect. 1. (i) Shalshelet Hakkabala, fol. 15. 2. (k) T. Hieros. Avoda Zara, fol. 44. 4. (l) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 81. fol. 71. 1.