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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 4:1 When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/43_Jhn_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:1 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/3-36.htm" title="John 3:36">◄</a> John 4:1 <a href="/john/4-2.htm" title="John 4:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/4.htm">New International Version</a> Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— <a href="/nlt/john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John <a href="/esv/john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore when Jesus knew that Pharisees heard that Jesus makes and baptizes more disciples than John <a href="/kjv/john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, <a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John <a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So then, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had been told that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Jesus knew that the Pharisees heard He was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was winning and baptizing more followers than John was. <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> When therefore the Lord knew how that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John. <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> The Pharisees heard that Jesus was winning and baptizing more disciples than John. ( <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now when Jesus realized that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John— <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the Lord realized that the Pharisees were aware that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was winning and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John" <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now as soon as the Master was aware that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is gaining and baptizing more disciples than John"-- <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> When therefore the LORD knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus makes and immerses more disciples than John, <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore when Jesus knew that Pharisees heard that Jesus makes and baptizes more disciples than John <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus more disciples doth make and baptize than John, <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus makes and baptizes more disciples than John,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> WHEN Jesus therefore understood that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus maketh more disciples, and baptizeth more than John, <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so, when Jesus realized that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made more disciples and baptized more than John, <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> WHEN Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard he made many disciples, and was baptizing more people than John, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But Yeshua knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was making many disciples and was baptizing more than Yohannan,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and immersing more disciples than John, <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Thus when the Lord knew when the Pharisees heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> AS soon then as the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptised more disciples than John <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus therefore knowing the Pharisees had heard that he made more disciples, and baptized more than John, <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now as soon as the Master was aware that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is gaining and baptizing more disciples than John"-- <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus was making and immersing more disciples than John <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Therefore when the Lord knew, the pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, <a href="/parallel/john/4-1.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=911" 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> 1<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: Hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">When</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."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: egnō (V-AIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">realized</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: hoi (Art-NMP) -- 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/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-NMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Pharisees</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: ēkousan (V-AIA-3P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">were aware</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">He</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">was gaining</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/907.htm" title="907: baptizei (V-PIA-3S) -- Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. ">baptizing</a> <a href="/greek/4119.htm" title="4119: pleionas (Adj-AMP-C) -- Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.">more</a> <a href="/greek/3101.htm" title="3101: mathētas (N-AMP) -- A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.">disciples</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">than</a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> 2(although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples),…<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="/john/3-22.htm">John 3:22-26</a> After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them and baptized. / Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized. / (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.) ... <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-28</a> And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ... <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Matthew 3:5-6</a> People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. / Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. <a href="/mark/1-4.htm">Mark 1:4-5</a> John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. / People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. <a href="/luke/3-3.htm">Luke 3:3</a> He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, <a href="/john/7-1.htm">John 7:1</a> After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him. <a href="/john/11-54.htm">John 11:54</a> As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples. <a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">Matthew 4:12</a> When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. <a href="/mark/1-14.htm">Mark 1:14</a> After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. <a href="/luke/4-14.htm">Luke 4:14</a> Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region. <a href="/john/2-23.htm">John 2:23-25</a> While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name. / But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man. <a href="/john/3-2.htm">John 3:2</a> He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” <a href="/john/6-2.htm">John 6:2</a> A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick. <a href="/john/10-40.htm">John 10:40</a> Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there. <a href="/john/1-35.htm">John 1:35-37</a> The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. / When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” / And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,the Lord.<a href="/luke/1-76.htm">Luke 1:76</a> And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;<a href="/luke/2-11.htm">Luke 2:11</a> For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.<a href="/luke/19-31.htm">Luke 19:31,34</a> And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him… that Jesus.<a href="/john/3-22.htm">John 3:22,26</a> After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-46.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Baptises</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Baptize</a> <a href="/john/3-23.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/john/3-33.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/3-25.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Gaining</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/3-27.htm">John</a> <a href="/luke/19-42.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Making</a> <a href="/john/3-10.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/3-1.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/24-30.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/6-61.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Baptises</a> <a href="/john/4-2.htm">Baptize</a> <a href="/john/4-2.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/john/4-2.htm">Baptizing</a> <a href="/john/4-25.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/4-2.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/4-47.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/acts/14-21.htm">Gaining</a> <a href="/john/4-42.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/4-2.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/5-33.htm">John</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/john/5-18.htm">Making</a> <a href="/john/4-31.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/7-32.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/john/4-21.htm">Word</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>When Jesus realized This phrase indicates Jesus' awareness and understanding of the situation around Him. It highlights His divine insight and wisdom, often seen throughout the Gospels. Jesus' awareness is not just human intuition but a reflection of His omniscience as the Son of God.that the Pharisees were aware The Pharisees were a religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Their awareness of Jesus' growing influence suggests their increasing concern and potential opposition. This sets the stage for the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels.He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John This comparison to John the Baptist underscores the growing impact of Jesus' ministry. John was a significant prophetic figure, and Jesus surpassing him in influence marks the transition from the old covenant to the new. Baptism here symbolizes repentance and preparation for the coming Kingdom, a central theme in both John’s and Jesus’ ministries. This also fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah's greater work and foreshadows the Great Commission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, who is gaining followers and baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They are aware of Jesus' growing influence. 3. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A prophet who baptized people as a sign of repentance and prepared the way for Jesus. His ministry is being surpassed by Jesus. 4. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who are being baptized, indicating the growth of His ministry. 5. <a href="/topical/b/baptism.htm">Baptism</a> A ritual of purification and initiation into the faith, symbolizing repentance and the washing away of sins.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/awareness_of_influence.htm">Awareness of Influence</a> Jesus was aware of the Pharisees' knowledge of His growing influence. As Christians, we should be mindful of how our actions and growth in faith are perceived by others. <a href="/topical/t/transition_of_ministries.htm">Transition of Ministries</a> The transition from John the Baptist to Jesus signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the ushering in of a new covenant. Believers should recognize and embrace the new life offered through Christ. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_baptism.htm">Role of Baptism</a> Baptism is a significant step in the Christian faith, symbolizing repentance and the beginning of a new life in Christ. It is a public declaration of faith and commitment. <a href="/topical/h/handling_opposition.htm">Handling Opposition</a> Jesus' awareness of the Pharisees' attention suggests the importance of being prepared for opposition when following God's call. Christians should be equipped to face challenges with wisdom and grace.<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/did_jesus_perform_baptisms.htm">Did Jesus perform baptisms?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_montanism.htm">What is Montanism?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_jesus_meeting_the_samaritan_woman_important.htm">What is the significance of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_jesus_interact_with_women.htm">How did Jesus interact with women?</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>(1) When therefore the Lord knew.--The second clause of this verse is given in the exact words of the report which came to the Pharisees: When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard, "Jesus maketh and baptizeth more disciples than John."The report which reached John (<a href="/john/3-26.htm" title="And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.">John 3:26</a>) had come to them also, and the inference from His retirement is that it had excited their hostility. The hour to meet this has not yet come, and He withdraws to make, in a wider circle, the announcement which He has made in the Temple, in Jerusalem, in Judaea, and is about to make in Samaria and in Galilee.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-42. - 7. The ministry and revelation of the Lord to those beyond the strict compass of the theocracy. This passage describes an incident of consummate interest, and records a specimen of our Lord's intercourse with individuals, and the reaction of that instruction upon the disciples. The event is a solitary chink through which the light of historical fact falls upon an otherwise darkened and unknown period of the Saviour's life. When we skirt a forest we see at intervals, where by some accident of growth the light falls upon a narrow space, a miniature world of life and loveliness of every kind, suggesting what might happen if every square yard of the forest could receive a similar illumination. Every day of that wondrous life of Christ may have been equally full of meaning to some souls. "These things are written, that we may believe that Jesus is the Son of God; and that believing we may have life." The relation of the Jews to the Samaritans gives a special character and both typical and symbolical meaning to the incident. The lifelike reality of the scene, the extreme unlikelihood of such an event having been fabricated with consummate art to establish any specific theological conclusion, the natural appropriateness of the transaction, all confer a high value and historicity upon this paragraph. Thoma, after the manner of Strauss, finds the origin of every detail in the story of Eliezer at the well; but there are no limits to what allegorists may dream, if the reins are thrown on the neck of imagination. The story of Philip's ministry in Samaria and the successes of the gospel in the early days of Christianity are also supposed to have aided the composition of the story. In our opinion, <a href="/acts/8.htm">Acts 8</a> is better explained from <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4</a> than the reverse process. Baur's supposition, that the author sought to contrast the cautious hesitation of the Jewish doctor with the susceptible emotional disposition of the Samaritan woman as the representative of the Gentile world, is unreasonable. The woman is represented as a believer in Divine revelation and worship, in the early traditions of the Jews themselves, and even in their Messianic hopes, which, in this instance, were more spiritual than those of the Jews. There are numerous debates as to the origin of the Samaritan nation, and opinions waver as to whether they were the descendants of those remnants of the kingdom of Israel who were left in the district once occupied by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, after the final deportation under Shalmaneser (or Sargon, as the Assyrian inscriptions make probable), together with the heathen settlers who had been mixed up with them, or were solely and purely of Assyrian origin, as they appear to maintain (<a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Ezra 4:2</a>). The narrative of <a href="/2_kings/25-12.htm">2 Kings 25:12</a> implies that all the inhabitants were carried away to cities of the Medes, but it is tolerably clear and eminently probable (<a href="/2_chronicles/34-9.htm">2 Chronicles 34:9</a>) that there were some of the people left behind; so that the extent to which Israelitish blood and ideas prevailed in the mongrel race is very difficult to determine. We know that heathen notions of Jehovah, and the worship of graven images, were curiously blended (<a href="/2_kings/17-28.htm">2 Kings 17:28-41</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">2 Chronicles 34:6, 7</a>). But this is only what might be anticipated if their moral and religious degeneration corresponded with the charges brought against them by Hosea and Amos. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, efforts on their part to share in the honours and independence of Judah were sternly interdicted, and the interdict avenged by angry recriminations which delayed the progress of reconstruction. The antagonism commenced then was deepened into a deadly rivalry by the erection of a temple to Jehovah on Mount Gerizim ( B.C. 409), and by Manasseh, brother of the high priest of Judah, being driven from Jerusalem by his refusal to renounce Sanballat's daughter, and by his becoming high priest of the heretical temple. This temple on Gerizim, in close proximity with the site of Shechem, the abode of the first patriarchs, gave dignity and solidity to some of their traditions and claims; and the modifications they had introduced into the text of the Pentateuch in their celebrated version of it helped to aggravate the schism between the two peoples. The district of country was held during the quarrels of the Ptolemies and Seleucidae alternately by both. Samaritan hatred of the Jews led them to purchase peace during the cruel oppression of Judah under Antiochus Epiphanes, by dedicating their temple to Zeus (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 12:05, 5), and again by siding with the Syrians against the Maccabees. Their temple was destroyed by John Hyrcanus, B.C. 130, and its ruins only were visible in the time of Christ. The city of Sebaste was built by Herod, on the site of the city of Samaria, and Flavia Neapolis, now called Nablous, was erected on the site or close neighbourhood of the ancient Shechem. There were mutual recriminations between Jews and Samaritans, which led to strained relations and fierce condemnation, and yet, strange to say, the rabbis did not treat the land as "unclean" (Edersheim, 'Life of Jesus the Messiah,' bk. 3, 100, 7), and consequently the disciples were not precluded from purchasing articles of food from the Samaritan village. They were the "foolish people," "abhorred" of devout Jews (Ecclus. 50, 25, 26); and Rabbi Chuda treated them as heathens, yet Simon ben Gamaliel regarded them as Israelites, and the 'Mishnah' shows that in many of their customs they resembled the Jews. It is doubtful whether they denied the resurrection, and it is certain that their principal tenets and practices were derived from the old revelation. The opposition was felt so strongly by some Jews in the northern province of Galileo that they travelled to Jerusalem through Persea in order to avoid it. Our Lord's treatment of Samaritans in this narrative seems at first sight inconsistent with <a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">Matthew 10:5</a>, where the apostles are advised to avoid cities of the Samaritans on their first experimental journey. Still, there is a difference between Christ's "passing through" Samaria, on his way to Galilee, and his limiting the early proclamation of the kingdom to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The disciples were not then to be entrusted with a commission which, not until after Pentecost, they would fulfil with so much joy (<a href="/acts/8.htm">Acts 8</a>.). The success of Philip, Peter, and John may have been due to the first sowing of the heavenly seed by the Lord himself. That Christ should have chosen a woman of doubtful reputation from a semi-alien and accursed race to have received some of his greatest teaching (albeit there was no less an ear than John's at hand to record the marvel) is akin to many of the mysteries of his life. Why, it is sometimes asked, did he not proclaim his sublimest thoughts in the schools or temple courts? Why did he confine them to Nicodemus and the Samaritaness? There is no reason to compel us to any such conclusion. The simple fact before us is full justification of the belief that on many another occasion as well as on this, he uttered like things. Verses 1-6. - (1) The contrast between Jewish unsusceptibility and Samaritan pre-disposition to faith. Verses 1, 2. - When therefore the Lord - a few occasions are found in the Gospels where this appellative, without any proper name, is used for Jesus (<a href="/john/6-23.htm">John 6:23</a>; <a href="/john/11-2.htm">John 11:2</a>; <a href="/luke/10-1.htm">Luke 10:1</a>; <a href="/luke/17-5.htm">Luke 17:5</a>; <a href="/luke/22-61.htm">Luke 22:61</a>), and on these occasions some special suggestion is made of the Divine rank and personality of Jesus - knew that the Pharisees heard; i.e. were taking notice, after their wont, with secret machination and with open hostility, of the course which he was pursuing. The treatment which John the Baptist received at their hands was pointedly referred to by our Lord on two occasions (<a href="/matthew/17-12.htm">Matthew 17:12, 13</a>; <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23-32</a>). They did not believe in John's baptism. The publicans and harlots had repented and pressed into the kingdom before them. This "generation" did whatever it listed to the Elias. Therefore we judge that Herod's persecution, stimulated by his guilty passions, was assisted by "the offspring of vipers." They had probably broken up the baptismal enthusiasm of the multitudes, and aided Herod to shut up John in the castle of Machearus, and hence their present "hearing" meant immediate and hostile action. Jesus had left the temple, and retired to the courts and homes and neighbourhood of Jerusalem; and then was only visited at night by solitary men, who ought to have come in crowds. He left Jerusalem itself for some point in Judaean territory, and there continued for a season the preparatory call for repentance and conversion. The extraordinary success of Jesus at this period excited the special attention of the Pharisees. The matter that came to their ears was that Jesus makes and baptizes more disciples than John. In other words, they heard of an extraordinary wave of popular excitement, yet of nothing answering to the Baptist's imagination of what ought to have taken place. John's ideas corresponded more closely than the teaching of Jesus did with the tenets and methods of the Pharisees. We find that the disciples of John are coupled with Pharisees in the matter of fasting (<a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Matthew 9:14</a> and parallel passages), yet that John's preaching and baptism were distasteful to the Pharisees. A fortiori the baptism of Jesus would be still more offensive, for it was doubtless accompanied by more searching demands. It had invaded the temple precincts, it had advanced more conspicuous personal claims. John said, "I am come to prepare the way of the Lord;" Jesus said, "I am come down from heaven." (Although (and yet) Jesus himself (in person) baptized not, but his disciples performed the act.) This parenthetical clause, explanatory of the statement of <a href="/john/3-22.htm">John 3:22</a>, as well as of the previous verse, is justified on the simple ground that Jesus baptized with the Spirit, and not with water. For him to baptize into his own name would have been to darken the mystery; for him to baptize into One who should come would in a way have hidden the fact that he had come. The administration of the rite by the few disciples who were with him would preserve all the symbolism of the new observance. We have no repetition of this statement, nor the faintest hint that the apostles continued this Johannine ceremonial. Moulton and some others lay emphasis on the present; tenses, "makes and baptizes," and therefrom argue that the ministry of John had not yet been brought to a termination, that John was not yet cast into prison, and that the journey into Galilee does not correspond with that described in <a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4</a>, but thai; our Lord removed from Judaea simply to avoid the apparent rivalry between the two baptismal and evangelistic ministries. When Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard, etc., he resolved upon a new and startling course. <a href="/commentaries/john/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When Ὡς (Hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. realized ἔγνω (egnō) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <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. Pharisees Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary. were aware ἤκουσαν (ēkousan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. [He] Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. was gaining ποιεῖ (poiei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. baptizing βαπτίζει (baptizei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_907.htm">Strong's 907: </a> Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. more πλείονας (pleionas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_4119.htm">Strong's 4119: </a> Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion. disciples μαθητὰς (mathētas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3101.htm">Strong's 3101: </a> A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. than ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. John Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-1.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:1 Therefore when the Lord knew that (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:2" /></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>