Gospel of John
Chapter IV

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

Verse 1 Remember that the Pharisees were an ancient Jewish sect that followed the Laws of Moses with their strict rituals and customs! Nicodemus knows there is something very different about Jesus’ teaching – do you? Read on!

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but
 his disciples,)






 

 Verse 2 Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a teacher of the Old Testament laws of vengeance and judgment! He doesn’t want to be seen going to Jesus in daylight! He asks Jesus how He does miracles! Jesus’ teachings are not the same as the Old Testament laws! He teaches only love one another and forgive!

Verses 1&2 Keep reading! Remember that this is one whole story! It’s your own story of awakening!

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into
 Galilee.




 

Verse 3 Here is where you can question your own beliefs! How do you operate – from vengeance or love? Be very honest! Yes, you have to be born again! Why? Because "as ye sow, so shall ye reap" – what you ask for, you get!
Verse 3 If you want to look at the map in the back of a bible, you will see the travels of Jesus and His disciples! The only thing to ever ask your self is "How does this help me?"

4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

Verse 4 Must needs means had to!
 

5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

 Verse 5 Funny, this – isn’t it? Somehow it’s always about real estate and property! J

 

6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

 Verse 6 Sixth hour means noon, Samaria time! Who cares what time it is! It’s hot and Jesus is plumb tuckered out! (Another J)
 

7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Verse 7 After all that traveling, wouldn’t you be thirsty?

 

8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Verse 8 What’s for lunch? J
9 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.

Verse 9 It was unheard of for a Jew to ask anything of a Samaritan, especially a woman! Samaritans were disliked (even hated), because they were supposed to be from the "wrong side of the tracks!"
 
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Verse 10 Jesus asks the woman "If you really knew Who I am, you would have asked Me for a drink!" He is offering her the water of Everlasting Life!


 
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Verse 11 She asks Jesus, "Where do you get this living water?" Water (nourishment) from God, is what Jesus is talking about! God is your Father and you are His beloved Son – always remember that!
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Verse 12 She asks Jesus, "Who are you? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob – the builder of this well?"
 

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

Verse 13 "If you drink only this (earthly) water, you will always be thirsty again!"
 
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 		 Verse 14 Wow! Jesus offers you the water of the Spirit, an "experience" of Life that will never leave you thirsty! If you are counting on worldly things to give you happiness, you will always have an empty feeling inside! Things of the world such as money, property, friends etc. that you think will "fill you up" – will never satisfy you or give you everlasting happiness! Happiness is only of God!

15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Verse 15 The woman asks Jesus for everlasting Water! She wants something new in her life! Do you?
 
16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

Verse 16 I think He knows something, don’t you? There are no secrets in God!

17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

Verse 17 Yes – He knows her! He is pleased she is telling the truth!
 

18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.


 

 Verse 18 Yes – He knows she has had five husbands and the last one is not her husband! Who cares how many husbands she’s had – she told the truth and that’s what counts! Jesus knows you too! He knows your perfection and loveliness! He also knows you do not see yourself that way as yet! Forgive yourself right now!

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Verse 19 She thinks Jesus is a prophet! At least He’s different! Maybe He has some answers!
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

 		 Verse 20 Here’s a chance to raise some questions! She tells Jesus her family has always worshipped in a certain place. She asks why Jesus says men should worship in Jerusalem! Nothing happens until you begin to raise your beliefs to question!

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Verse 21 Where you worship is not important! It doesn’t matter if it’s in a church or a in cell! Only what is in your heart matters! Just do it! Ask God for help!
 
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Verse 22 Until now, you haven’t known what you worshipped! Jesus knows, and He’s telling you now – worship God! Worship means value! Value God!
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Verse 23 God wants you to worship Him and love Him – it’s your only hope! Who else can you trust in a world of hatred and attack? Take an honest look at what you’ve placed your trust in up until now! What do you have to lose?
 

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Verse 24 True prayer is from your heart and from your soul! That’s the Truth!

 

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
 

Verse 25 The prophets say that a Savior is coming! The woman knows and believes this. But does she recognize that it’s now, and that her Savior is here with her at the well! Hooray!
(Where is your here? When is your now? ) J
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
 

Verse 26 This is a brand new message! "I am the Living Christ," says Jesus! "I am the One you have been looking for!" He’s with you now! Salvation is now!

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

Verse 27 This is brand new! His disciples are struck dumb (speechless) – so silent they don’t even think to ask Jesus any questions! They were surprised he was ignoring Jewish custom by talking to a Samaritan, but they trusted and didn’t question! Is this new to you? I hope so!

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Verse 28 She ran to tell the others! Are you as willing to spread the Word that Jesus has come into your heart?
 

29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

 Verse 29 How exciting! Can you feel the excitement of the coming of the Christ in you? Yes, this is your awakening!
 

30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

Verse 30 The villagers are now interested (and excited) to discover who this man is!
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. Verse 31 Prayed means asked or begged! Chow time! Always thinking of the stomach! (Joke! J)
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
 

Verse 32 Jesus is telling the disciples that the meat (food) He has is not from this world! He’s talking about food for the soul, not food for the body!!

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Verse 33 Again Jesus’ disciples ask, "Has ‘any man’ given Him something to eat?" They still haven’t really heard Jesus! Do you?

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

 Verse 34 Jesus says that "his food" is to do God’s will and teach His Word! Only God’s word will sustain you!
 

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

 Verse 35 Jesus teaches in parables (stories) that are simple and understandable! This harvest story is one of them! All He’s saying is you can have an experience of Jesus right now! It does not take a long time to harvest! Lift up your eyes! The time is NOW!
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Verse 36 Do you want to be happy? There is no order of who gets what, or when, in Creation! It is all usable right now, and it’s free to you right now!

 

37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

Verse 37 Read on! It’s still the same story!

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Verse 38 You believe you have to do something to earn God’s love, but that’s not true! God can only love you! He created you and He’s your Father!
 
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

Verse 39 The people are willing to believe the woman’s story! Remember this is all a story! (Your whole life is a story, and now it is a True story of Love!)
 
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
 		 Verse 40 Tarry means to stay a little longer. Jesus accepts everyone, including the Samaritans. He does not judge race, color or creed! He only sees the Christ in everyone! Do you? That’s what is being asked of you – don’t judge! Ask Jesus for help with this!– He’s with you now!
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
 		 Verse 41 Yes, this message (His own word) is going around the world, and always has! Now is the time for you to listen – it’s only for you!

42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Verse 42 Now they say they believe, because they have experienced Him! The only way you can really know something is to experience it for yourself! Ask Jesus for your experience of His Love!
 

43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

 Verse 43 Look for Galilee on the bible map! There’s a whole lot of walking going on! J

44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
 

Verse 44 The folks from Jesus’ hometown would say, "Oh, him – he’s just the carpenter’s son!" Too much past history I guess! Wait a minute! Isn’t all history (his-story) past and gone? The past is over!
45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. Verse 45 At the wedding feast, the Galileans had seen Jesus’ miracle of changing water into wine! (Ch 2:11) They were there and drank the new wine!

 

46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

Verse 46 A nobleman is a king’s worthy servant and a leader of men! Remember, miracles are for everybody, not just for a few special or holy people! And they are for you!
 

47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Verse 47 This is one very sick boy, and his dad is worried out of his mind! The nobleman heard that Jesus had returned! Now he could ask for His help! Wouldn’t you do that too, for a loved one?
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.


 		 Verse 48 Jesus knows that unless you can see miracles and wonders with the body’s eyes, you will not believe in miracles! The eyes of your body don’t really see – they just "make up" pictures! There it is again – believing is seeing! You need an experience of God to see truly! Ask for it in your heart!

49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

 Verse 49 The nobleman trusts Jesus! This is all about Trust! Trust in miracles!
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. Verse 50 A Nobleman is familiar with receiving orders and giving them out! Jesus tells him to go home, that his son is alive! He accepts Jesus’ word and does what he’s told to do!

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

 Verse 51 A miracle! The boy lives! Miracles are hap-pening all the time! Start noticing them! Remember – you are a miracle! Say Thank You!
52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

Verse 52 The nobleman asks his servants for the exact time that his son got better. His servants say it was the very same time that Jesus said, "Thy son liveth!" How about that for a miracle?!
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. Verse 53 Now are you willing to be healed? Are you willing to see in your heart where you find yourself right now? Are you willing to admit that what you have done so far has not worked? Are you willing to trust in One Who knows what is best for you? Be honest with yourself!

54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee

Verse 54 It’s all right here in the New Testament! That’s why it’s called New Testament – because it’s never been done before – miracles are always brand new!

 

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