John 4 9

John 4:9 kjv

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

John 4:9 nkjv

Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

John 4:9 niv

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

John 4:9 esv

The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

John 4:9 nlt

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"

John 4 verses

John 4 9 Meaning

John 4:9 reveals the profound social, religious, and ethnic divide between Jews and Samaritans, particularly through the Samaritan woman's surprise at Jesus, a Jew, requesting a drink from her. Her question highlights the deeply ingrained prejudice and lack of interaction between these two groups, emphasizing the cultural barrier that Jesus was deliberately breaking down to offer salvation to all people.

John 4 9 Context

John chapter 4 introduces Jesus' deliberate journey through Samaria, a region Jews typically bypassed due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity. This verse specifically occurs at Jacob's well, where Jesus initiates conversation with a Samaritan woman, violating several cultural norms simultaneously: a Jew speaking to a Samaritan, a man speaking to a woman in public, and a rabbi speaking to a woman of questionable reputation. The woman's shock and subsequent question directly address the entrenched prejudice ("for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans"), highlighting the profound barrier Jesus was challenging in order to extend the offer of living water. The preceding verses set up Jesus' need to travel through Samaria, indicating divine purpose rather than mere geographic necessity.

John 4 9 Word analysis

• Then saith: Indicates her immediate response, driven by surprise and disbelief.
• the woman of Samaria: Specifically identifies her as belonging to the marginalized Samaritan community, heightening the tension and significance of the encounter.
• unto him: Direct address to Jesus, acknowledging His presence and identity.
• How is it that thou: Expresses genuine astonishment and confusion at Jesus' unconventional behavior.
• being a Jew: Explicitly identifies Jesus' ethnicity, which, given the historical context, automatically established a barrier with Samaritans.
• askest drink: The specific request that breaches the societal taboo; sharing a vessel or food implied communion.
• of me: Emphasizes her individual identity as a Samaritan, personally involved in the cultural transgression.
• which am a woman of Samaria: Reiterates her dual identity, emphasizing the gravity of His request considering both her gender and ethnicity.
• for the Jews have no dealings: Provides the reason for her astonishment, articulating the widely recognized separation.
  • Original Greek for "have no dealings": ou sygnchrontai (οὐ συγχρῶνται), which implies not sharing common articles, not having social intercourse, or not dealing with in terms of ordinary needs or trade. It signifies a strict avoidance, extending beyond mere dislike to prohibitions against sharing utensils, food, or close social interaction due to deep-seated religious and racial antagonisms.
• with the Samaritans: Clearly states the group that Jews historically avoided. This separation stemmed from theological disagreements (Mount Gerizim vs. Jerusalem), racial mixing during the Assyrian exile, and differing canons (Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch). The Jews considered them ritually impure and heretics.

John 4 9 Bonus section

The animosity between Jews and Samaritans, highlighted in John 4:9, had roots tracing back to the division of the kingdom of Israel, the Assyrian conquest (722 BC), and the subsequent resettlement of foreigners in Samaria. Over time, the Samaritans developed their own religious practices and temple on Mount Gerizim, diverging from Jerusalem's Jewish traditions. This led to their rejection by orthodox Judaism as true worshippers and pure Israelites, resulting in strict social and religious segregation. The Jewish Oral Law (Mishnah) reinforced these prohibitions against social interaction, shared food, or use of common vessels, further cementing the woman's surprise. Jesus' deliberate breaking of these entrenched "no dealings" customs signifies His redemptive mission, not just for Jews, but for all, emphasizing that spiritual need overrides all social constructs.

John 4 9 Commentary

John 4:9 powerfully exposes the deep chasm of prejudice that existed between Jews and Samaritans, a division fueled by centuries of religious and ethnic conflict. The woman's astonishment encapsulates this hostility, revealing a world where simple acts like asking for a drink were laden with cultural taboos. Jesus' actions fundamentally defy these established norms, demonstrating His mission to dismantle human-made barriers of race, gender, and social status. By engaging with this Samaritan woman, He not only initiates a salvific encounter but also exemplifies God's boundless love that transcends all divisions. This moment foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel, inviting all to partake in the "living water" regardless of their background, setting a precedent for evangelism that prioritized people over prejudice. It’s a vivid illustration of how the Gospel breaks down walls (Eph 2:14) and unites people who were once alienated (Gal 3:28).