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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/43_Jhn_04_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:20 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. <a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” <a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship.” <a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one ought to worship is in Jerusalem [at the temple].” <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, yet you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say Jerusalem is the only place to worship." <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that people must worship in Jerusalem." <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "My Samaritan ancestors worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God." <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain. But you Jews say that the place where people should worship is in Jerusalem." <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.? <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and You say that in Jerusalem is the place where it is required to worship.” <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary to worship." <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> our fathers in this mountain did worship, and ye -- ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where it behoveth to worship.' <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Our fathers worshipped in this mount; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where they must worship.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Our fathers adored on this mountain, and you say, that at Jerusalem is the place where men must adore. <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain; and you say the place where men must worship is in Jerusalem. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary to worship.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where we ought to worship.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where it behooveth to worship. <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye affirm, That the place where we ought to worship is at Jerusalem. <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> our fathers worshipped upon this mountain; and you say, that Jerusalem is the place where we ought to perform our worship. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. <a href="/parallel/john/4-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1055" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Jesus and the Samaritan Woman</a> …19“Sir,” the woman said, “I see that You are a prophet. 20<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: pateres (N-NMP) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">fathers</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: prosekynēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">worshiped</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">on</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutō (DPro-DNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3735.htm" title="3735: orei (N-DNS) -- A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain).">mountain,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you Jews</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legete (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5117.htm" title="5117: topos (N-NMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.">place</a> <a href="/greek/3699.htm" title="3699: hopou (Adv) -- Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.">where</a> <a href="/greek/1163.htm" title="1163: dei (V-PIA-3S) -- Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.">one must</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: proskynein (V-PNA) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">worship</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/2414.htm" title="2414: Hierosolymois (N-DNP) -- The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma">Jerusalem.”</a> 21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-14</a> Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/6-6.htm">2 Chronicles 6:6</a> But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ <a href="/1_kings/9-3.htm">1 Kings 9:3</a> And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time. <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29-41</a> Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. ... <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a> In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. <a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Isaiah 56:7</a> I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” <a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12-14</a> But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers. <a href="/jeremiah/26-6.htm">Jeremiah 26:6</a> then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’” <a href="/malachi/1-11.htm">Malachi 1:11</a> For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48-49</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24</a> The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a> Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a> Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19-22</a> Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, / built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.fathers.<a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Genesis 12:6,7</a> And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land… <a href="/genesis/33-18.htm">Genesis 33:18-20</a> And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city… <a href="/deuteronomy/27-12.htm">Deuteronomy 27:12</a> These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:and ye.<a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-11</a> But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: … <a href="/1_kings/9-3.htm">1 Kings 9:3</a> And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.<a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">1 Chronicles 21:26</a> And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-30.htm">Behoveth</a> <a href="/luke/11-18.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/luke/21-16.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/luke/11-48.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/john/2-23.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/john/4-9.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/luke/22-39.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/luke/24-26.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/john/4-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/24-52.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/luke/24-52.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/luke/24-52.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-4.htm">Behoveth</a> <a href="/john/8-24.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/john/6-31.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/john/6-31.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/john/4-21.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/john/4-22.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/john/4-21.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/john/4-33.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/john/5-29.htm">Right</a> <a href="/john/4-21.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/john/9-38.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/john/9-38.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">John 4</div>1. <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.</a> 27. <a href="/john/4-27.htm">His disciples marvel.</a> 31. <a href="/john/4-31.htm">He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.</a> 39. <a href="/john/4-39.htm">Many Samaritans believe on him.</a> 43. <a href="/john/4-43.htm">He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Our fathers worshiped on this mountain This phrase refers to Mount Gerizim, which held significant religious importance for the Samaritans. Historically, the Samaritans believed that Mount Gerizim was the true holy site chosen by God for worship, as opposed to Jerusalem. This belief is rooted in their version of the Pentateuch, which emphasizes Gerizim. The Samaritans built a temple on this mountain, which was destroyed by the Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus around 128 BC. The reference to "our fathers" indicates a long-standing tradition and highlights the deep-seated religious and cultural divide between Samaritans and Jews. This division is evident in the historical animosity and differing religious practices between the two groups.but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem. This part of the verse highlights the Jewish belief that Jerusalem is the central place of worship, specifically the Temple Mount, where Solomon's Temple once stood and where the Second Temple was located during Jesus' time. Jerusalem's significance is rooted in several Old Testament scriptures, such as <a href="/2_chronicles/6-6.htm">2 Chronicles 6:6</a>, where God chose Jerusalem for His name to dwell. The Jewish focus on Jerusalem as the exclusive place of worship underscores the covenantal promises made to David and the establishment of the temple as the dwelling place of God's presence. This statement by the Samaritan woman reflects the theological and cultural tensions between Jews and Samaritans, as well as the broader question of the true location for worship, which Jesus addresses in the subsequent verses by emphasizing worship in spirit and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samaritan_woman.htm">Samaritan Woman</a> A resident of Samaria who engages in a theological discussion with Jesus at Jacob's well. Her question reflects the historical and religious tensions between Samaritans and Jews. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure of the New Testament, who offers a new understanding of worship that transcends traditional locations and practices. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mount_gerizim.htm">Mount Gerizim</a> The mountain in Samaria where the Samaritans built a temple and worshiped, believing it to be the rightful place of worship. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where the Jewish temple was located, considered by Jews to be the only legitimate place for worship. 5. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context.htm">Historical Context</a> The longstanding division between Jews and Samaritans, rooted in differing beliefs about the proper location for worship and other theological issues.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_worship.htm">Understanding Worship</a> Worship is not confined to a specific location but is a matter of the heart and spirit. True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_down_barriers.htm">Breaking Down Barriers</a> Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman demonstrates His mission to break down ethnic and religious barriers, inviting all to a relationship with God. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_matters.htm">Historical Context Matters</a> Understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical events enriches our comprehension of the text and its implications. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The passage encourages believers to seek unity in worship, focusing on shared faith rather than differences in tradition or practice. <a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection.htm">Personal Reflection</a> Consider where and how you worship. Are you focused on external practices, or are you engaging with God in spirit and truth?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 4</a> <a href="/q/why_would_a_rabbi_talk_to_a_samaritan_woman.htm">What evidence supports that a Jewish rabbi would openly converse with a Samaritan woman, considering the strong cultural barriers in John 4:9? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_agrapha_in_christianity.htm">What is the significance of Mount Gerizim?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_samaritans_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Samaritans in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_samaritan_pentateuch.htm">What is the Samaritan Pentateuch?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Our fathers worshipped.--She gives a sudden turn to the conversation. It is not that the question of worship is the all-engrossing problem of her mind, for which she seeks solution at this prophet's hands. Such questions hardly came then within the circle of a Samaritan woman's thoughts, and this woman's life had not been such as to make her an exception to the rule; but the heart, quivering before the eye that reads it as it never before had read itself, shrinks from the light that is let in upon it. She will speak of anything rather than of self. There is the mountain overhanging them, the theme of many a discussion between Samaritan and Jew; she will ask the prophet to decide that question.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Our fathers. The "our" refers here to the Samaritans, just as the "ye" does to the Jews. She may be going back once more to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who worshipped and laboured at Shechem - but the mountain itself was not the site of a temple until the days of Nehemiah, and the temple in which the apostate Manasseh, son of Jaddua, offered sacrifices had been destroyed for nearly a hundred and fifty years. A chronological, if not more serious, difference is apparent between Nehemiah and Josephus (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 11:08. 2; <a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">Nehemiah 13:28</a>). According to the former, the Samaritan schism which led to the erection of the temple was a hundred years before the period assigned by Josephus. For whereas Nehemiah says that the apostate priest whom he chased away was son-in-law of Sanballat, the Persian satrap in Samaria, Josephus makes Sanballat contemporary with Alexander, and represents the establishment of the Samaritan temple as originating with his approval. Josephus further ('Ant.,' 13:09, 1) says that the temple was destroyed by Hyrcanus, about B.C. 129, and adds that it had stood two hundred years. The temple was destroyed, but "the mountain of blessing" remained for the Samaritans as a place of prayer ('Ant.,' 18:04. 1; 'Bell. Jud.,' 1:02, 6). This was conserved, on the ground that Abraham and Jacob had here built altars (<a href="/deuteronomy/11-26.htm">Deuteronomy 11:26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/27-4.htm">Deuteronomy 27:4-13</a>). In <a href="/deuteronomy/27-4.htm">Deuteronomy 27:4</a>, however, Mount Ebal in mentioned as the place where an altar had been first built to Jehovah. In the Samaritan Pentateuch the word "Gerizim" had in this place been substituted for "Ebal;" and so it came to pass that Gerizim had been a place of prayer throughout the long interval When Jesus was at Jacob's well, he could see the ruins of the edifice where sacrifice and praises were being offered. Indeed, these have continued to the present day. The oldest shrine in the world for local worship still holds its own, hard by the very spot where the most complete overthrow of the principle of sacred places fell in divinest words from the lips of the Holy One. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain - Gerizim, where the ruins of the temple still abide - and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men must worship. Jerusalem is not mentioned in their sacred books - Jerusalem, whose unity of sanctuary was recognized at length as the τόπος where the Lord would put his Name, and where alone the sacrifices could possess their historic and symbolic validity. Whensoever the Pentateuch may have been finally edited, all critics will allow that, at the time of the Lord, and in the Samaritan Version of the Pentateuch, the idea of such unity of sanctuary was a fixed principle. The Samaritans claimed Gerizim, and the Jews Moriah, as the place where Abraham offered his typical sacrifice, and both regarded the worship celebrated in their favourite shrine - the daily offering, the annual feasts (the Passover especially) - as giving worthiness to all the prayers and praises which they might be induced to offer in all places where they might sojourn. The woman does not submit to our Lord that he may settle this great question for her, but she makes it clear enough that she would like to know his verdict. The worship was the sacrificial worship where sin such as hers could alone be cleansed, and where her conscience could be set free for calm and continuous communion with God. <a href="/commentaries/john/4-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. forefathers πατέρες (pateres) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. worshiped προσεκύνησαν (prosekynēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage. on ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. this τούτῳ (toutō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. mountain, ὄρει (orei) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3735.htm">Strong's 3735: </a> A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain). but καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you [ Jews ] ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. say λέγετε (legete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. place τόπος (topos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5117.htm">Strong's 5117: </a> Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard. where ὅπου (hopou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3699.htm">Strong's 3699: </a> Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. [one] must δεῖ (dei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1163.htm">Strong's 1163: </a> Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary. worship προσκυνεῖν (proskynein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage. is ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Jerusalem.” Ἱεροσολύμοις (Hierosolymois) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2414.htm">Strong's 2414: </a> The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>