The woman at the well

Living Water at noon

Jesus crosses ethnic and gender barriers and reveals Himself to a Samaritan woman, who runs to tell others.

Three barriers broken

Jesus speaks with a woman (unusual), a Samaritan (ethnic hostility) and someone with a troubled past (five husbands). Three social walls torn down in a single conversation.

Water that becomes a spring

She comes to draw water at noon, the hour of heat and loneliness. Jesus offers “living water” that becomes a spring within, welling up to eternal life.

The first missionary

She leaves her water jar and runs to town; “many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony.” A Samaritan woman is the first to evangelize a town.

Did you know?

• Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate; just asking for water was scandalous. John 4:9
• This is Jesus’ longest recorded conversation with a single person in the Gospels. John 4

Where to read in the Bible

• John 4:1–42

Connections

• has as its theme Living Water · stated in the text · John 4:14
• is the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus of Nazareth · stated in the text · John 4:7
• centers on The Samaritan Woman · stated in the text · John 4:7
• took place at the Jacob's Well · stated in the text · John 4:5–6

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