John 4:4

4 And he was of necessity to pass through Samaria.

John 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 4:4

And he must needs go through Samaria.
] Not the city, but the country of Samaria; for the way to Galilee from Judea, lay through the midst of Samaria; nor was there any other way, without going a great way about; see ( Luke 9:51 Luke 9:52 ) ( 17:11 ) ; and which is also confirmed by Josephus ^F3: and this accounts for his going through Samaria, consistently with his forbidding his apostles going in the way of the Gentiles, or into any of the cities of the Samaritans; since here was a necessity for it, or otherwise he himself would not have gone, where he forbid his disciples; though the prohibition may be understood, not of barely going into a Samaritan city; for it was lawful for them, notwithstanding that, to go into one of them, as appears from ( John 4:8 ) ( Luke 9:52 ) ; but of going to preach there, ( Matthew 10:5-7 ) . And besides this necessity, there was another thing that lay upon him, and obliged him to take this tour, and that is, the calling and conversion of a certain woman, and other Samaritans, whom the Father had given to him, and he was to redeem by his blood; and the time of whose effectual calling was now come; and therefore he must needs go this way, and at this particular time. The Arabic and Persic versions represent it, as a purpose and determination in his mind to go this way.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Antiqu. Jud. 50:20. c 5. & in vita sua, p. 1019.

John 4:4 In-Context

2 (Though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples),

3 He left Judea and went again into Galilee.

4 And he was of necessity to pass through Samaria.

5 He cometh therefore to a city of Samaria, which is called Sichar, near the land which Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

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