The Samaritan woman at the well is a figure from the Gospel of John, where Jesus meets a woman near Jacob’s Well in Sychar. This encounter provides an opportunity for Jesus to present Himself as the life-giving Messiah to a Samaritan woman and her village. The story comes shortly after Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisee Nicodemus, who was a member of the same class as the woman at the well.
The Hebrew Bible recounts several women meeting their future spouses at wells, following a similar literary pattern. In John 4, Jesus meets a woman at Jacob’s Well, setting the stage for what will take place later in Samaria. Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver. After Hagar fled from Sarai, an angel of the Lord appeared to her at a well, Beer-lahai-roi, where he revealed the name of her son Ishmael and promised her.
The story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well sets the stage for what will happen later in Samaria. Many scholars identified Sychar with Shechem, an ancient city in Israel. Yehudit Harari, an educator, teacher, kindergarten teacher, and writer, was one of the founders of Tel Aviv. All springs, wells, and fountains were landmarks in the topography of Israel. Jesus, sitting on the brim of Jacob’s Well, taught the Samaritan woman the importance of watering her flock and kissing her.
📹 Archaeology of Jacob’s Well at Shechem
If there is one place where we can know for certain that Jesus was right there, it is at Jacob’s Well. How can we know? In the …
Why did Jesus ask the woman at the well to go get her husband?
Christ asks a woman about her marriage, exposing her to her sin and cultural shame, and highlighting that despite her sin and destitution, God still seeks people like her. The woman answers, “I have no husband”, and Jesus affirms her right to say so. The text also provides examples of how Jesus responds to women’s questions, demonstrating that God still seeks people like them despite their sin and destitution.
Why were Samaritans considered unclean?
The Samaritans, who intermarried and made sacrifices in their homeland, were regarded as impure by the Jews of Jerusalem due to their perceived lack of devotion to God’s purity.
What happened to the Samaritan woman at the well?
The Samaritan Woman, also known as Photini, is a saint celebrated in Eastern Christian tradition. She spread the news of her meeting with Jesus, leading many to believe in him. She is considered “equal to the apostles” and is remembered on the Sunday four weeks after Pascha, known as “the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman”. In Oaxaca, Mexico, a celebration of the Samaritan Woman takes place on the fourth Friday of Lent, with churches, schools, and businesses giving away fruit drinks to passers-by. In the United States, Photini is honored with a Lesser Feast on February 26. Her story is recounted in John 4:28-30 and John 4:39-42, and she is described as “equal to the apostles”.
Why was the woman at the well an outcast?
The Samaritan woman, who had lost respect for herself due to unsuccessful marriages and liberal sexual morals, was viewed as an outcast by Jesus. However, Jesus loved her more than anyone and viewed her as valuable. God views us as valuable, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. He loves to make what the world views as “junk” very good. Rick Warren explains that the value of something depends on what someone is willing to pay for it and who owned it in the past. This highlights the importance of valuing oneself and others in the world.
Who was the woman who went to the well in the Bible?
A woman from Samaria came to Jesus to draw water, and he asked her to give him living water. The woman was surprised by Jesus’ request, as Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus explained that if he knew the gift of God, he would have given her living water. The woman asked Jesus for the water, but Jesus told her that the living water would never thirst again. Jesus then instructed her to call her husband and come to the well.
The woman, who had five husbands, believed Jesus was a prophet. She also mentioned that their fathers worshipped on a mountain, and Jesus believed that Jerusalem was the place where men should worship. Jesus warned her that the hour was coming when true worshipers would worship the Father in spirit and truth, as the Father seeks to worship him.
The woman believed that the Messiah, who is called Christ, would come and show all things. Jesus confirmed that he was the one who spoke to her. The woman’s faith in Jesus and her belief in the Messiah led to a deeper understanding of the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth.
How many husbands did the Samaritan woman at the well have?
Jesus, a Jew, encounters a Samaritan woman in Sychar while on his journey. The woman is surprised that Jesus could ask for water from a Samaritan, as Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus offers her a type of water that one drinks and does not thirst anymore, which she desires. Jesus tells her to call her husband, but she answers that she has none. Jesus affirms that the woman has told the truth because she has had five husbands, and even the man she stays with currently is not her husband.
The popular reading of the Samaritan woman’s story is that she is “disreputable, probably promiscuous, and perhaps a prostitute”. This perception has influenced the history of interpretation of the text, with Tertullian, John Chrysostom, and John Calvin all describing her as guilty of wicked, shameful sin. However, this view continues to be held by many interpreters.
In Nigeria, the Samaritan woman’s experience resonates with those who have married more than once, divorced women, and those not officially divorced but separated from their husbands. These women are often viewed as “loose” women or prostitutes, but this perception seldom applies to men who marry several times. This article examines the Samaritan woman’s experience in light of divorce, separation, and remarriage in Nigeria, particularly among Christian women.
It assesses the correctness or otherwise of the perception that marrying several times amounts to moral deficiency on the part of the affected women and appraises the situation of such women as a challenge to the church in Nigeria.
The work adopts a narrative reading for the study of John 4, employing the descriptive method to describe the phenomenon and its characteristics. The essay begins with an examination of the Samaritan woman’s marital experience, then examines the woman’s experience in the Nigerian context and concludes with the implications of the study for the church in Nigeria.
Why are Samaritans half-breeds?
The Samaritans were a half-caste people who originated from the mingling of remnants left after Samaria’s fall in 722 BC with foreigners imported by Assyrian conquerors. Access to content on Oxford Academic is typically provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. Members of an institution can access content through IP-based access, which is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses, and through signing in through their institution, which uses Shibboleth/Open Athens technology to provide a single sign-on between the institution’s website and Oxford Academic.
What is the moral of the story of the woman at the well?
The story of the woman at the well illustrates Jesus’ compassion for the outcasts of society, regardless of their sex, ethnicity, or relationship history. Jesus saw her need for salvation and showed that God can save us regardless of our circumstances. This story serves as a reminder that we do not need to overcome our sins before coming to Him. As we spread the Gospel, we must openly share it with all, even those deemed the lowest and unworthy.
Jesus satisfies both our physical and spiritual needs, ensuring that those who follow Him will never thirst. By following Him, we can rest in the promise that the troubles of this world are temporary, endure them through the Holy Spirit, and have eternal hope in Christ.
What was the sin of the woman at the well?
The book explores interpretations of John 4 throughout history, focusing on the woman’s gender and marriages, often labeling her as a sinner, adulterer, or prostitute. Caryn aims to challenge this traditional understanding by reconstructing the first century world and exploring marriage patterns and women’s rights. She believes that while women were constrained in many ways, they could be well-educated and important people in their communities, as evidenced by the respect shown by the villagers towards the Samaritan woman.
Why did the woman at the well leave her jar?
The woman’s enthusiasm for evangelizing led her to neglect her domestic responsibilities and abandon a valuable asset. She left her water jar and proceeded to disseminate information about Jesus to the populace. The selected passages from the ESV, NIV, and NASB provide illustrative examples of this concept of leaving a valuable possession behind.
How many husbands did the woman at the well have?
Modern interpretations of John 4 often portray the Samaritan woman as an adulteress, with her past marriages and divorces, and her current relationship with a sixth man. This portrayal is common among commentators, preachers, and Bible teachers. However, this portrayal is based on a lack of historical and cultural context. A careful examination of the Bible requires rethinking the Samaritan woman’s character, as her words could be genuine questions, rather than focusing on her sexual past. A careful examination of the Bible’s historical and cultural context requires a reevaluation of the Samaritan woman’s character.
📹 Jacobs Well- also the place of the Samaritan woman-
Jacob’s Well, where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her “living water”, lies in the crypt of a modern Greek …
I’ve been a follower of Jesus since I was 9 years old. At about 13, I developed a deep love of Biblical archaeology, and that’s what I wanted to be “when I grew up”. I became a mom instead. I love Jesus, but your articles have made me tear up numerous times as I have been binge perusal them. What an excellent thing to do, bringing each and everyone back around to Jesus and His love for us!
Joel, I really like how you show the locations of these Biblical sites, which direction and how far they are from Jerusalem. For those of us that haven’t been to Israel, the visual helps to understand these Biblical towns and locations so much better. Thank you for all your work and bringing the Bible to life. God bless you, your team and your family
Wow, that was a heavy-revy, when he said that the shepherd does all the work, the sheep receives the water from the shepherd. I’ve heard this story my whole life, but only now my brain exploded because comprehension just set in realizing that Jesus describes us as sheep and He is the shepherd – having done all the work. We just choose to receive. I just want to cry, I am so moved.
This was so beautiful and well done, what a gorgeous article with such perfect imagery to accompany what Jesus spoke of! LOVED that last segment showing the shepherd doing the back-breaking work of getting the water and pouring it out like Jesus poured out His life and then the Spirit for His sheep. What an incredible image.
Thank you! “The sheep 🐏 🐑 cannot drink from the well themselves, but the shepherd has to do all the hard work, draw the water 💦, and pour it out for the sheep 🐑 to drink.”. Wow! Beautiful explanation! And to see it being done makes it all the more easier to understand. Thank you so much for all that you have done, and made it available for all to see! May God richly bless you! 🙏
Unfortunately we were not able to enter Nablus last week when we visited the area, the IDF had closed the road. We were able to meet the Samaritan community on Mt Gerazim and view the city. The Samaritan Museum was fascinating and I highly recommend it. I hope one day to be able to return and be visit this well and Joseph’s tomb. Thank you for your excellent articles. It helped us a lot as we toured. I ordered the book before we left Israel and look forward to perusal the “soul shepherd” soon. May God continue to bless you as you bless His body with your insights! 🙏
Jesus knew the importance if water in his teachings. I was recently in the hospital where they wouldn’t give me a drink for hours. No crushed ice, a sponge, or anything. When you’ve extremely thirsty you’ll give anything for just a little water. Mine was just a physical thirst and I’d hate to go through eternity like that even without the fire it would be bad. Thank you God that I don’t have to.
“Like the woman at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy, and then I heard my Savior speaking “Draw from My well that never shall run dry!”…Fill my cup, Lord. I lift it up, Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me til I want no more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!”
Love your take on everything Joel, nothing fancy, just Biblical truth! Have watched and liked all of your articles so far. We also received a copy of your book a few weeks ago, took a few weeks to arrive here in Australia but well worth the wait! You are truely an inspirational man of God Joel and I hope and pray that your hard work will continue to bare God’s fruit to the world who in these times are in desperate need of our Lord. Definitely wish to experience one of your archaeological tours in the future! 🙏🏻 God bless and protect you Joel.
Just to see that picture of the good shepherd having done the hard work of collecting water that’s now on offer to me was real special. That water that of the woman’s own strength obviously had an effect on her going back again and again. But Jesus’ living water, where the work is already finished. Is free for all to take.
In the weary hours of the night Jesus stands by, out of sight Blessed are those in his delight The narrow path carries his way, his light Light cuts darkness It flees in fright Be steadfast, be strong with all your might These words I say I will say no more For it is you who must go knocking on Heavens Door I just wrote that in less then a minute. God is great
Good day Mr. Joel Kramer, Also from the Netherlands many thanks for your intensive searches for archaeological evidence that biblical information is the most valuable information that we as humans can take in. People like you also help me greatly to strengthen the foundations of my faith in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Your knowledge and information to all viewers and followers of your website is invaluable, which is priceless. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
I was 7 yeare of age i drank from the well then the waters was so cold and we did go all of us as a family every sunday and looked forward to be there.the year was 1949 and we were staying with our uncle. My name is Olivia and i am now 81 years of age. I never forgot all the wholly places in jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
Thank you for your willingness to be used by the Lord in this ministry. I am grateful. I have received inspiration and encouragement. These factual presentations give new depth and breadth to my understanding of scripture. Had I never seen and heard your archeological findings, I would have still believed in the veracity of The Bible. However, my spirit has feasted on your findings . They are rewards, most precious.
I remember walking from our family house to the well when I was very young. My grandfather and my mother was giving me and my older sister a history lesson about the well and why it’s so important. When I got allot older I started to understand it more and respect it more. It’s not only the well it’s my culture (Samaritans) and where I came from. Every time I visit the well. I think of a bridge where it first United between the groups.
Watching your website,i learned a lot,and very thankful because its add to my knowledge reading in bible… I’m almost done perusal all your articles,but i don’t comment in every article. its very helpful and grateful,now i can understand more in details in every event… Thank you Lord 🙏🙏🙏 God bless us all 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank You Joel for another Excellent article. Your articles (and your Book) allow us to see all of the places that we have always read about in The Holy Bible but could never see. Like many I am very much a visual learner and your articles help bring the Biblical Accounts to Life. When reading Scripture I always look at Maps (on my Tablet) of the locations being referenced which allow me to get the “bigger picture”, as this helps to see where the events took place. Your articles have been a great source to reference when studying Scripture and they do more than any Map could ever do to improve the picture in my mind. Please continue to create these articles for the world, your hard work is very much appreciated. May Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Bless and Protect You and Your Families from Evil and the Enemy Now and Forever.
The most incredible think of John 4 is the statement of Jesus about God being a spirit, and that He is looking for worshipers who would worship from their spirit and in truth. He prophised that just around the corner (because of the Cross and Pentecost) people would enter a whole new form of worship. He also stated worshipers MUST worship in this new way because the Father was spirit.
I’m a born-again Jew (in Southern California). We grew up atheist. I was miraculously saved by my Messiah before I even knew I was Jewish. God always saves a remnant of us. My moms last name was Abramovitz. Child of Abraham! I love Jesus so much. He’s coming soon. Watch & pray. 2Thess2:11 is fulfilled. Luke 21:24 is fulfilled. Zechariah 14:4 is coming. Look at that scripture! God’s Word is perfect.
I have recently found this website and I can’t stop perusal it. It is like a thirst. A lot of questions I was asking about the archaeology of the Bible and it’s historical authenticity are answered right here. If our churches bothered to talk to the congregations like you speak in your articles, these congregations would be much much larger than they are today.
I enjoy your website so much. You unwrap scripture in a way that reveals the reality of the scripture…the everyday, common experiences of the people in Biblical cultures that makes so much sense, so real, Relateable. Centuries removed from the lifestyle of those people, we tend to spiritualize everything when the Father is more interested in relating with us and showing us how He understands us and all the things we live in, live with and live around. God is not some disconnected ethereal being who can barely relate to us. No, He is everywhere all around us and part of our lives. That us what the woman at the well discovered.
Thank-you for this timely piece on one of my favourite places in the world, though I have never actually visited the well. Tomorrow, Nov.29 is the day of my patron saint, Philoumenos of Jacob’s Well. Saint Philoumenos was martyred at the well on Nov. 29, 1979. I was a soldier in the IDF at that time, but I have since converted to Orthodox Christianity. Some day, I would like to return as a Christian pilgrim to Samaria, and pray at the chapel to Philoumenos in the Church of Saint Photine, the Samaritan Woman, at Bir Yaqub/Jacob’s Well.
Profound to see the actual well, the precise location of such a familiar passage in scripture….great analogy with the shepherd having to “do the work” to provide the water for the sheep…..Lord help me drink. Can I also recommend The Soul Shepherd…it will change lives. Pray for someone to send it to. Thanks Joel.
Thank you, Joel, for another informative and inspiring article. You have such a gracious way of combining facts, apologetics, and the heart of the gospel! “The Soul Shepherd” is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve watched it many times, and the picture you draw of Christ our loving Shepherd still brings me to tears. I recommend it every chance I get.
My message this past Sunday 02-18 was this same exact text… a kingdom divided by kings King Jeroboam/ King Rehoboam but united once again by the King of Kings Jesus himself. Jerusalem rejected our Lord so He took His message of salvation to Samaria who were outcast according to the Jews. But He unites who believe & will come to Him. As Samaria did & he abode with them a few days. Thank You for your sincerity in these articles… Godspeed
In my youth woman were considered subservient. I was even given less food than my brothers and maybe fed once a day. It makes my heart rejoice that Christ first told a woman that he was the Messiah. In conversation she was not considered beneath him because of her sex. She even questioned his conversation because Jews at the time did not strike up conversation with Samaritan’s much less a woman. On the contrary they had deep conversation. Jesus is truly a loving and kind shepherd. He is not partial but loves his sheep equally. He did not look at her in a disgusted light even knowing her past on the contrary he gave her life giving water free. 💧
This is good. There are so many churches built on sites where Jesus was. This was because when Rome converted, the mother of Constantine went to Israel to seek these sacred biblical places (asking local Christians what their traditional areas of veneration was) and she built churches there. That’s why we have churches where Jesus was born, where Jesus was at Jacob’s well, where Jesus was crucified, where Jesus was buried, where Jesus ascended into heaven from.
Hi Sooo wonderful the overlays of history in one place! Such a deep well! You’d have to be soooo careful not to fall in! Awesome we can actually visit an identifyable location our Lord used for one of the best stories in the New Testament! Your work putting this together is much appreciated! Shalom to us only in Christ Yeshua returning soon to reign over the world government from Jerusalem.
Awesome article! Thank you. The number seven symbolizes completeness and fullness and you find it a lot in the Bible. With the Samaritan woman, Our Lord said to her about her five husbands and the one she had currently was not her husband (number six) and Our Lord in a way revealed Himself to be number seven. He was her fullness and completeness. Only He could satisfy her. I love that. He is the only One.
I counted about five seconds when the water hit the bottom of the well. 32ft per second X 5 seconds= 160 feet. “The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?” John 4:11 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (Yeshua).” Isaiah 12:3
Psalm 35:27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant! Psalm 70:4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, God is great! Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 117:2 For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 72:18-19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
Genesis 29:8 “But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.” “Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.” When Jesus was laid to rest, He rose again, rolled the stone away and provided Himself as Living Water. All Glory to the Most High!!!!
I’m a Christian and a retired federal firefighter. A long time ago, I was at work and an active duty AF firefighter, who was a former gang member asked me, “What church should I go to?” I replied to him, “Well, that’s a tough question!” I went on to explain, “There are MANY different churches, religions and just as many differences between them.” Continuing, “One religion says, ‘You need to shout, dance and praise God with music and singing.’ Another says, ‘You must be decent and in order.” Another says, ‘You must not use musical instruments.” At this point, he said, “I don’t trust THEY SAY!” I agreed with him telling him to trust God instead. If He wants you some place, He will lead you there. At this point, I went to my cubicle, where I wanted to study my bible. I opened my bible to John, Chapter 4:4-42. This is the story about “the Samaritan woman at the well”. As I read the story, the whole time I was reading, I had the feeling this story was specifically for the young man I had been speaking with. I immediately went back and shared what I found with him. With these particular verses in mind: 28-42 After speaking with Jesus, the woman LEFT her waterpot. I call it her “Worldly Waterpot” and she went back into the city and told the men “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” So the men went out to see for themselves. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what “you said”; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.
Dear Joel, This is amazing what you are doing. I only have started perusal your presentations, and this one is my second one. But I would like to say that they are absolutely awesome. May God bless you with whatever is needed for you to bring more and more such beautiful gems that God gave us to light so that all people might be able to see. There are many people who doubt in the Bible, viewing it only as stories to say at best. Many claim that the Bible is anything but facts. And yet we can see how wrong those views can be if or when people are not open-minded to the Word of God. Carry on with the great work of your beautiful presentations…
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this! For those of us who will probably never be able to go see that it was striking to think that Jesus stood in that very spot. And Jacob and his sons dug that well! There aren’t many landmarks today that we know for certain that Jesus or others from Biblical days stood. It’s fascinating! I have so many questions when I get to Heaven!
Just beautiful how you explain everything so clear. It makes me picture everything as you speak. God bless you because you are sure being used by the Lord to teach us reality. What really went on many of years ago based on evidence and bible scriptures. Amazing job you done! Keep teaching us more, please! I’m following you!
When the lady spoke to Yahusha at the well he never disagreed with the lady when she said that it was ‘Jacobs well’ Not an unusual thing for Yahusha to remain silent If we look at the Lamb of God’s response when he was questioned at his trial been interrogated, he also stayed silent before his accusers. God bless 🙏