John 4 4

John 4:4 kjv

And he must needs go through Samaria.

John 4:4 nkjv

But He needed to go through Samaria.

John 4:4 niv

Now he had to go through Samaria.

John 4:4 esv

And he had to pass through Samaria.

John 4:4 nlt

He had to go through Samaria on the way.

John 4 verses

John 4 4 Meaning

John 4:4 states, "And he had to pass through Samaria." This verse reveals that Jesus' journey from Judea to Galilee was not merely a matter of geographical convenience but of divine imperative. The Greek word translated as "had to" or "must needs" signifies a necessity rooted in divine purpose, revealing God's preordained plan for Jesus to engage with the Samaritans, people historically at odds with the Jews. It points to a profound spiritual purpose behind a seemingly ordinary travel route, emphasizing the breaking down of barriers and the universality of God's redemptive plan.

John 4 4 Context

John 4:4 fits within Jesus' broader itinerary as recorded in the Gospels. Preceding this verse, John 4:1-3 states that Jesus left Judea and departed for Galilee because the Pharisees had heard He was making and baptizing more disciples than John. Jews typically avoided Samaria due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity that dated back centuries (2 Kings 17, Ezra 4, Nehemiah 4-6). They often took a longer, roundabout route through Perea, east of the Jordan River, to bypass Samaritan territory entirely. Therefore, Jesus' choice to pass "through Samaria" was not just a geographical shortcut but a profound, counter-cultural act. It sets the stage for the pivotal encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, illustrating Jesus' deliberate mission to reconcile the estranged and extend salvation to all people, including those considered outcasts. The encounter directly confronts and overcomes deeply ingrained prejudices.

John 4 4 Word analysis

• And: Links Jesus' departure from Judea (John 4:3) with His subsequent movement. It connects the "why" (Pharisee opposition) with the "how" and "where" of His next journey.
• he: Refers to Jesus Christ, the central figure whose actions are governed by divine purpose.
• must needs go / had to pass: (Greek: ἔδει - edei, an imperfect indicative of δεῖ - dei). This is a crucial phrase. Dei signifies a strong necessity, obligation, or a divine imperative. It's not mere geographical convenience or a simple "ought to" but a "divine must." This same word is often used in the New Testament to describe Jesus' predetermined suffering, death, and resurrection. Its use here indicates that His journey through Samaria was not accidental or secondary, but an integral part of God's redemptive plan and His mission.
• through: Indicates passing directly through the region. This was the most direct route geographically, but it was culturally and religiously fraught for Jews. Spiritually, it implies penetration into an estranged community.
• Samaria: (Greek: Σαμάρεια - Samareia). This was the region in central Palestine, north of Judea and south of Galilee. Its inhabitants, the Samaritans, were ethnically mixed descendants of Israelites and Assyrian colonists, holding different religious practices and viewing Mount Gerizim as their holy place, in contrast to Jewish worship in Jerusalem. This geographical reference immediately highlights the significant cultural and religious barrier Jesus was deliberately crossing.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And he must needs go": This phrase highlights the divine compulsion driving Jesus. His actions are always intentional, part of God's overarching plan, and not subject to human prejudice or social custom. It conveys a theological "must" more than a practical one.
• "through Samaria": This identifies the specific and highly controversial path Jesus took. It signifies His breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers. The location sets up the significant interaction with the Samaritan woman and the subsequent outreach to the Samaritan town. This action immediately subverts cultural norms and signals the universal scope of the Gospel message.

John 4 4 Bonus section

The deliberate use of dei (must/had to) by the Apostle John in John 4:4 resonates throughout the New Testament, frequently associated with God's fixed purpose for Jesus' ministry, suffering, and glorification (e.g., Lk 24:26). This highlights that every aspect of Jesus' earthly journey, even His choice of travel route, was saturated with divine intention and prophetic fulfillment. John uses this to underscore that Jesus was not a passive figure reacting to circumstances but was actively fulfilling God's sovereign will, initiating the expansion of His Kingdom to all peoples. The meeting with the Samaritan woman that follows directly fulfills this "must" and serves as an important early demonstration of the Gospel's power to break down the "dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:14-16), a theme central to the redemptive work of Christ.

John 4 4 Commentary

John 4:4, while seemingly a simple statement of geography, is profoundly significant. The phrase "he had to pass through Samaria" reveals Jesus' journey was divinely ordained, not simply expedient. The "must" (dei) points to God's deliberate plan to reach the Samaritans, a people ostracized by Jews. This highlights Jesus' mission to transcend deeply entrenched ethnic and religious hostilities. It demonstrates His sovereign intent to bring salvation not just to the "lost sheep of Israel" but to all, prefiguring the Great Commission to witness "in Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). By walking through Samaria, Jesus physically broke cultural barriers, demonstrating that God's love and grace extend to those considered outcasts, foreigners, and enemies. It was a visible manifestation of His kingdom transcending human-made divisions, offering living water to anyone who believes.

• Example: Just as Jesus intentionally bypassed human prejudices to reach a "despised" people, believers today are called to overcome social, racial, or economic barriers to share the Gospel with all, embracing God's inclusive love.
• Example: The verse reminds us that sometimes our path may be inconvenient or culturally difficult, but if it is God's "must," then we are compelled to follow, trusting His purpose.