her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The power of his word
in searching the heart, and convincing the conscience of secret things, is a proof of Divine authority.
It should cool our contests, to think that the things we are striving about are passing away. The
object of worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put to all
differences about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult decency and convenience in
the places of our worship; but religion gives no preference to one place above another, in respect
of holiness and approval with God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures
have obtained some knowledge of God, know whom they worship. The word of salvation was of
the Jews. It came to other nations through them. Christ justly preferred the Jewish worship before
the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as soon to be done away. God was about to be
revealed as the Father of all believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced
by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual affections, as
shown in fervent prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart,
in which God delights and is glorified. The woman was disposed to leave the matter undecided,
till the coming of the Messiah. But Christ told her, I that speak to thee, am He. She was an alien
and a hostile Samaritan, merely speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus. Yet to this
woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No
past sins can bar our acceptance with him, if we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as
the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Verses 27–42
The disciples wondered that Christ talked thus with a Samaritan. Yet they knew it was for some
good reason, and for some good end. Thus when particular difficulties occur in the word and
providence of God, it is good to satisfy ourselves that all is well that Jesus Christ says and does.
Two things affected the woman. The extent of his knowledge. Christ knows all the thoughts, words,
and actions, of all the children of men. And the power of his word. He told her secret sins with
power. She fastened upon that part of Christ's discourse, many would think she would have been
most shy of repeating; but the knowledge of Christ, into which we are led by conviction of sin, is
most likely to be sound and saving. They came to him: those who would know Christ, must meet
him where he records his name. Our Master has left us an example, that we may learn to do the
will of God as he did; with diligence, as those that make a business of it; with delight and pleasure
in it. Christ compares his work to harvest-work. The harvest is appointed and looked for before it
comes; so was the gospel. Harvest-time is busy time; all must be then at work. Harvest-time is a
short time, and harvest-work must be done then, or not at all; so the time of the gospel is a season,
which if once past, cannot be recalled. God sometimes uses very weak and unlikely instruments
for beginning and carrying on a good work. Our Saviour, by teaching one poor woman, spread
knowledge to a whole town. Blessed are those who are not offended at Christ. Those taught of God,
are truly desirous to learn more. It adds much to the praise of our love to Christ and his word, if it
conquers prejudices. Their faith grew. In the matter of it: they believed him to be the Saviour, not
only of the Jews but of the world. In the certainty of it: we know that this is indeed the Christ. And
in the ground of it, for we have heard him ourselves.