John 4:21–45

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Thoughts on the Woman at the Well
John is not only a very theologically rich book, but also a very "literary" book.  Compared to the Synoptic Gospels, which are for the most part very straightforward, John has a lot of symbols and layers of meaning if you are paying attention:

"But here is the irony in the story. As Nicodemus’s character fell silent in chapter 3, leaving us to wonder what would become of this religious Jewish leader, suddenly we see that this irreligious woman takes the unexpected step: She acknowledges Jesus’ lordship, remains “in the light,” and exhibits some of the signs of discipleship we learned in chapter 1. She runs and tells others, bringing them to Jesus, and as a result many come to believe (4:39). It is no accident that the story of Nicodemus takes place “at night” and this episode occurs at about noon (4:6). Light and darkness are such prominent Johannine motifs that their presence in the narrative signals important theological meanings." [1] (Emphasis mine)

There is much that could be said about the interaction with the Samaritan women:  there is a lot of history behind their conversation, cultural beliefs, and even implications about what kind of woman she is.  I think one of the most interesting things, however, is the comparison between the woman and Nicodemus.  It is no accident that John puts these stories back to back.

Here's a great summary of the interactions by David Tinney [2]:

Nicodemus

•I am a man.

•I am a Pharisee, part of the very powerful ruling elite of the Israel. I spend my time interpreting the holy law of Moses to determine what is or is not a sin. I determine what makes a man or woman righteous in the eyes of God.






•I am an Insider. I am part of God’s chosen people.


•I am a leader among my peers. People look to me with great respect. They bow in my presence and hold me in reverence. They point at me and tell their children of my importance.




•I have a name. It is Nicodemus. It is a name known far and wide. If you drop my name in certain circles people will be impressed.











•I live in Jerusalem and spend my time in the holiest of places – The Temple. This is the place where God dwells and all good Jews come for sacrifice and blessing. I live where God lives.



•I came to seek Jesus in the middle of the night. I did not want others to see me talking to him.


•I recognized Jesus immediately and called him “Rabbi” or teacher and I said that I knew he was a holy person sent by God. I had seen Jesus in the streets and had listened to his teachings and my heart was stirred by his words. Even though my fellow Pharisees were jealous of him and were concerned by his teachings, I thought he was very wise.




•I came asking Jesus a favor. I wanted him to explain some of the things that he had been telling the crowds and to expound upon the signs that were so much a part of his ministry. I was confused and wanted to hear more.

•When he answered me he talked in metaphors. He talked about being born again, about living water, and about the Spirit. I listened but was very confused.

•I am a learned man. I have spent my life in study of great religious and spiritual ideas. But he said things that I could not understand. I could tell they were important to him and that he was intent on my understanding them, but the more he talked the more I was confused.

•When Jesus saw that I was confused he seemed to be able to look right inside of me and ask a question that shook my very soul. “Are you not a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?


•It was then I felt insulted and my heart and mind shut down.

The Samaritan Woman

•I am a woman.

•I am a Samaritan and I have no power. You Pharisees ruled against my people and me long ago. You determined that because many of my tribe had married outside of the Hebrew line that we were unfit. You called us “mongrel dogs” and condemned us as sinners. You destroyed my future by condemning the mistakes of my people’s past.


•I am an Outsider. I no longer am considered part of God’s chosen people.

•I am not a leader at all and people have no respect for me. When I walk by they do not honor me; they gossip about me behind my back. They call me names and trash my reputation. They point at me as well and talk to their children, but they warn their children never to be like me. 

•I have a name but the author of this story did not seem eager enough to use it. So I will forever be known simply as “The Woman at the Well.” I hate being known in such a generic way, but I have to admit it is better than some of the names I have been called. Names like: prostitute, whore, tramp. These are not the names that I want you to remember me by. I just wish that John had used my name. It would have made my life easier.

•I live in Samaria in a parched piece of ground far away from Jerusalem. The only thing that makes my town famous is a well that was dug long ago by our forefather Jacob. Samaria is a place despised by Jews and avoided at all costs.

•I came out to the well in the middle of the day when it was the hottest because I did not want others to see me or to talk with me.

•I did not recognize Jesus. In fact I thought that he was a very strange man with very little common sense. Didn’t he know that Jews don’t talk with Samaritans? Didn’t he know that Jewish men don’t talk to women in public? This man was so foolish he came to a well with nothing to use as a dipper. What wise man would sit in the hot sun next to a well without a dipper? When I first saw him I thought he was a few bananas shy of a full bunch.

•I came seeking nothing from Jesus but silence. In fact I was angry when he first started speaking. He was the one who began the conversation and he was the one asking for a favor of me. I came in silence and wanted to keep it that way.

•When he answered me he talked in metaphors. He talked about living water and the Spirit. I listened but was very confused.


•I am an unlearned woman. I have spent no time in my entire life studying anything about religion. But he said things that I could not understand. I could tell they were important to him and that he was intent on my understanding them, but the more he talked the more I was confused. 

•When Jesus saw that I was confused he seemed to look right inside of me and he told me something that shook my very soul. “Go, call your husband and come here.” I answered I have no husband. And he said you are right for I have five husbands.

•It was then that I felt this man was special and my heart and mind opened to his words.

Jesus kept talking to me. He talked about God and the Son of Man as if he knew them intimately.
He talked about God’s universal love and how God loved the entire world, not just a few chosen people.
He talked about the Son of Man who would be the Messiah and that whoever believed in him would not perish.
He said that religion is not about judgment and condemnation but about love and grace. The words touched my heart and made me tremble.
 

•Jesus spoke about God’s special plan for humankind but I COULD NOT accept his testimony and was unable to declare that he was the Messiah. 

•I left in darkness.

•I told no one about my visit because I was so confused and embarrassed.

•Jesus spoke about God’s special plan for all humankind and I WAS ABLE to accept his testimony and was able to declare that he was the Messiah.

•I left in the light of day.

•I told everyone because I was so excited. And when I told my people they wanted to believe as well.

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[1] Gary M. Burge, NIV Application Commentary: John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 139.
[2] http://www.vanfumc.org/service/text/2009-06-07.pdf