John 4:27-42

The Central Idea of the Text is that many Samaritans came to believe in Jesus as Savior because of the witness of the Samaritan woman. Jesus’ disciples returned from the Samaritan city and were astonished to find Him speaking with a Samaritan woman (John 4:27).  The Samaritan woman—who now possessed living water, which was welling up within her; see John 4:13-14—left her waterpot and went into town to share with others her excitement about Jesus, and many came to see the Man for themselves (John 4:28-30).  Meanwhile, the disciples who had returned from the city, were concerned about Jesus and were trying to get Him to eat something.  Jesus used their concern as a teaching opportunity to communicate what nourishes and energizes Him spiritually (John 4:31-33).  Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34).  The primary work of Jesus was to go to the cross and die for the sin of others, that they might have forgiveness of sins and the gifts of eternal life and righteousness (John 3:16; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21).  Then, using an agricultural analogy of sowing and reaping, Jesus explained to His disciples that they were co-laborers with other believers—OT prophets including John the Baptist—in the ministry of leading others to salvation (John 4:35-38).  Many Samaritans came to believe in Jesus as their Savior because of the witness of the woman who had spoken to Him at the well; however, others came to believe after they spoke with Jesus personally (John 4:39-42).