Again Pharisees are religious leader in the corrupt church of the time. They heard that Jesus and John's ministries were bringing many people to be baptized. This would have caused some concern for them and since the outside fight was something Jesus' did not want at the time of these church leaders causing problems, he moved on to a different area for a short time.

As he went on his trip, he came to Samaria. The people there were called Samaritans. The Jewish people (Jesus was Jewish and coming from a Jewish area) hated the Samaritans and considered them unclean. There was a great deal of ill feelings between the two types of people and a lot of prejudice against Samaritans. Jesus decided he didn't care what other people thought or said.....he was there to love everyone and went into the town.

Jacob's Well was at the foot of Mt. Gerizim which was the Samaritan's worshiped. The sixth hour meant it was about noon which is an usual time for someone to come get water since it was the hottest time of the day to carry the big jug. It may be that because this woman had made a lot of mistakes that even within the Samaritans (who the Jews thought were lowly), that this woman would be considered the lowest of the lowly. Since she isn't though of well.......she may come at an odd hour so she doesn't have to run into the other women.

It would have been surprise for a woman who no one in her town liked to see a Jewish man at the well, let alone consider her worthy enough to speak to. But that never stopped Jesus. He didn't care what others thought and always lifted others up in love that were willing and accepted them and encouraged them.

Jesus does speak to her and asks her for a drink, she replies....either with surprise wondering how he can talk to her or maybe with some sarcasm like "Oh, I'm good enough to speak to when you want something." type thing.....

When he offers her water and she asks if Jesus is better than Jacob. He basically says yes that he can offer her living water. The Lord is that living water (Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13;) and gives it to us for Spiritual water that is never ending (John 7: 38). Not to just the privileged Jewish people did Jesus come to save but He offered salvation to people that most considered the lowest of the low.

Then Jesus does a minor miracle showing her he knows all about her life. This proves to her and us that He offered her love even though she was a sinner. Not because he thought she was something she was not. He also tells her to bring those in her life to this offer of grace.

At that time, people worship God in certain places...they did not know they could worship Him anywhere at any time....one of the things that Jesus ushered in. He told her what was important was not worshipping an unknown god at a particular place....but having a relationship with the God and worshipping Him in your heart and in truth is what matters!

She says she knows the Messiah is coming someday but then Jesus reveals He is that Messiah.

When the disciples return, they are surprised Jesus is talking to her (because as Jews, they still had their prejudice against the Samaritans, let alone women. They were still learning to let go of their own judgment and to love all). They try to get Jesus to eat but do not realize He is in a teaching moment and continues to teach that spiritual need is more important than physical needs. He also adds a little message to them that they will be adding onto the ministry of the prophets and that people will find Jesus through them (the whole harvesting talk).

The interesting thing in verse 28 is the woman leaves the jar (her physical need that brought her there) and went to find the people she was avoiding in the first place. Then the woman who others looked down upon has a difference in her life from Jesus that lead others to know Him too. Then they had their own experiences with Jesus as He said a couple days and became believers too.

After He leaves....He goes back to where He had already performed some other miracles. The people wanted Jesus to perform more miracles like He was some kind of circus act. Jesus did not perform miracles at this time because He wasn't trying to be popular but reach out to people.

The official probably was part of the Herod's court which means he was probably a Gentile. Again looked down upon by the Jewish people and works for a guy who is against Jesus. Yet He comes in hope for his son. Jesus could have made a big deal about it and had the crowds come and see the healing but he just told the man to go home and his son would be ok. The man believed, headed home and found out his son was ok at the same time Jesus spoke the words. He believed but Jesus di not use his hardship to become more popular or gain earthly power.

Well, that was fun =) I like that chapter. Send me any thought, questions or input.