The Woman at the Well
John 4:1-38
The interaction between Jesus and the Woman at the Well is one of Jesus’ most well-known encounters. It gives us readers remarkable insight into how Jesus’ heart of compassion works in synergy with his omniscience. Before we dive into the context of John’s account of this interaction, take a moment to pray and read the story one more time. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you something about God’s character through this text.
Okay, now that we’ve prayed up, let’s dive into it. We are going to look at two elements of this story: setting & character so we might ultimately understand the overarching theme: Jesus’ compassionate heart towards this woman - and by extension - all people.
First, let's take a look at the setting of this story. We know this interaction happens in Samaria, which is a place that Jewish men like Jesus would have avoided. Samaritans were perceived to have practiced Judaism incorrectly because they were a mixed Jewish-Pagan nation. There was hostility between the Samaritans and other Jewish groups at this time based on nationality and religious belief. Jesus’ heart of love and compassion crosses the boundaries of ethnic, religious, and national division as he speaks with the Samaritan woman.
Additionally, this happens at Jacob’s well at noon. Due to the desert heat, it was uncommon for someone to get water at this time - and if they did, they probably weren’t wanting to be seen or interacted with.
Let’s now turn our attention to the woman herself. In addition to being a Samaritan, we also find out that she was married and divorced 5 times. Why would this be? During this time, women did not have the autonomy or authority to divorce a man. Men chose to divorce women (Jesus speaks to this in Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19). There was something about this woman that led 5 men to divorce her.
Women were primarily valued in this society for their ability to bear children. The bearing of children was central to the functioning of the economy and the upholding of the honor-shame culture. If your wife couldn’t have kids - there was no way for your family’s name, financial success, and honor to continue. So, it would make sense to divorce her and find a new one.
This means that this woman was most likely divorced because she was infertile. She married man after man but they all divorced her because of this. She was cast to the outskirts of society because she couldn’t contribute in a way that was considered meaningful for women at the time. After years of rejection, it seems that she had settled to be unmarried and live with another man who she wasn’t married to.
Into this story of brokenness, hatred, prejudice, abandonment, and grief enters Jesus.
Jesus does not avoid her, but instead gets close enough to hold the cup of living water to her lips. Though Jesus had never been an outcasted, many times divorced women, he empathized with her. He holds space for her story. He does not ignore her pain, but gently draws out her history so that He can heal it.
Across the lines of gender, religious hostility, and ethnic tension, Jesus extends the fullness of life to this woman. She is the first person in John’s gospel account to whom Jesus reveals he is the Messiah. Jesus’ heart of compassion is put on full display through this interaction.
So what does this mean for us?
Well, maybe you feel like this woman. Do you feel like an outcast? Like you don’t fit in? Have you been rejected in some way? Jesus is there with you. He has compassion on you. He offers a life that is not defined by these things, but by His love. Take a moment to sit in this place of love, empathy, and grace.
Maybe, you’ve been failing to show compassion to people in our society who feel like this woman felt. Who around you is lonely? Who feels like an outcast? Is there someone God could be calling you to love? Consider taking a step of faith and make an effort towards this person like Jesus did at the well.
