hrist'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
excellent, (1Co 1:17), than to baptism. He would put honour upon
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.
hrist'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)