We in the 21st century may miss Jesus breaking down barriers in the story of the woman at the well. We think nothing of women and men conversing in public. It was very different for the Jewish community of Jesus’ time.
Jewish men did not talk to women in public. One of the rabbinical teachings said this: “A man shall not be alone with a woman in an inn, not even with his sister or his daughter, on account of what men may think. A man shall not talk with a woman in the street, not even with his own wife, and especially not with another woman, on account of what men may say.”[1]
Ethnic Prejudice
John 4: 6 Jacob’s well was there (Sychar of Samaria); and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” [2] Not only did Jesus speak to a woman in public, but a Samaritan! There was great animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans. Many prominent Jews would go miles out of their way to avoid going through Samaria.
Who were the Samaritans? “Samaritans are a mixed race. Most of the area’s people were exiled to Assyria, and the Assyrians imported other people into the area. The remaining Jews intermarried with these people, and their offspring were known as Samaritans. When the Jews returned after exile, the Samaritans wanted a share in rebuilding the Temple but were rebuffed because of their pagan practices. (Ezra 4:1-5) The hostility continued into the time of Jesus.” [3]
Jews and Samaritans did not share eating utensils. So, Jesus’s asking this Samaritan woman for a drink broke all the social customs of the day. Jesus seems to have purposely taken the route through Samaria to interact with this woman.
Jesus Came for All People
This story happened at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. God had always planned to save the Gentiles. He had picked Israel as His people to point the rest of the world to Him. But the Jewish people became proud and looked down on the Gentiles. It took a remnant of one, Jesus, to invite the Gentiles to salvation. Jesus was breaking down barriers.
Galatians 3: 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” [4]
The attitude of the Jews towards the Samaritans is still seen in ethnic conflicts today. God wants the Gospel to reach everyone regardless of race, social class, religious beliefs, or past sins. We are to be ready to tell about Jesus anywhere and to anyone. 1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[5]
We must also be ready to deal with people who may have experienced prejudice and are unsure of our motives. Jesus crossed all social customs to bring living water to a Samaritan woman. We must be about breaking down barriers so others can come to know Jesus.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-woman-at-the-well
[1] Fredrikson, R. L., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1985). John (Vol. 27, p. 101). Thomas Nelson Inc.
[2,4,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 4:6–7). Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The New Inductive Study Bible, ESV, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, page1796.